Irritation after shaving

Irritation after shaving is local redness, small red or white dots, rashes or real inflamed acne. The most sensitive areas are the bikini, armpits, face, less often the legs and arms. To exclude it, it is necessary to prepare the skin for depilation correctly and provide subsequent hydration.

Shaving with a razor is the most common method of depilation, that is, superficial hair removal without eliminating the follicle. Often, it is the frequent use of a razor that leads to irritation, inflammation of areas on the skin and ingrown hairs. Yes Yes, all these phenomena are closely interconnected and there are a number of reasons why there is a strong or weak irritation:

• Daily use of the machine. Frequent shaving thins the surface of the skin and literally irritates it.You may notice that the hair removal procedure can gradually become painful, and the skin becomes unhealthy - covered with a network of small pimples, red spots, becomes dry, dull.
• Shaving with blunt blades is detrimental to the epidermis - they simply tear off the hairs from the surface of the skin, and do not cut off (like sharp, sharpened, new counterparts). Rarely changing the cassette in the machine, using a disposable razor for a long time or using dirty, rusty blades are all direct causes of irritation.
• Improper use of a razor. Hair removal is possible both according to their growth and against. To make the home procedure safe, shave at height, this reduces the likelihood of accidentally cutting the epidermis and damaging it. Anti-growth hair removal is more effective, but not suitable for sensitive skin.

The floating head shaver is ideal for depilation of various parts of the body and especially for the face and bikini area in women, on the knees and underarms. When shaving, it is especially important to use a clean blade and guide it over previously cleansed skin using a special composition - shaving cream or gel.

• Sensitive skin - also a reason, and you will have to come to terms with it. Thin and sensitive dermis especially needs daily care - after taking a shower, apply a light moisturizer, and before depilation, use a mask - apply oil to the skin half an hour before taking a water treatment.
• Dry depilation with a razor often irritates the skin, therefore, experts recommend carrying out the procedure in the bathroom: warm water expands the pores, moisturizes and softens the skin, makes the blade literally glide over the surface.
• Insufficient skin hydration leads to red dots on the body after each shave.

Skin irritation from razor use is less common than from epilator or "hot" methods of hair removal - wax, sugar treatments. Most often, it manifests itself due to the abuse of the razor - daily use or due to hypersensitive skin. If this does not concern you, but irritation has appeared, the only possible reason is improper shaving: a dirty, dull blade, strong pressure on the skin with the machine, processing one zone more than 3 times.

If irritation has become a frequent guest on the skin of a man or woman, you should stock up on moisturizers / ointments / lotions and apply them every time after the procedure. Then the irritation disappears almost instantly - after 10-20 minutes.

By itself, irritation can pass after half an hour, an hour or several hours - depending on the reaction of the skin. Cosmetologists do not advise letting everything go by itself. The skin is stressed every time after contact with a razor blade, they say, it removes not only the hair, but also the keratinized layer of the skin. The latter should be removed first - so the razor blade will not remove it and injure the epithelium, thereby reducing the risk of irritation.

Inflammation on the skin and a violation of the structure of the hair can lead to its ingrowth: the hair begins to grow not up, but down - into the epidermis, inflammation appears - a voluminous and sore pimple. The main thing in this case is to start treatment on time.First you need to treat the inflamed area with any antiseptic - peroxide, alcohol, for example, pull out the hair and again treat the wound with a healing ointment. If the pimple is painful, it is necessary to treat it with salicylic or zinc ointment, crushed aspirin tablet - they will relieve inflammation, swelling, dry the skin and prevent the appearance of a trace.

The best way to avoid irritation is to prevent it and:

1. Every time after shaving, moisturize the skin with a light cream or gel. (even a regular baby face cream or oil, a specialized composition for the body and face will do);
2. Use a clean razor – Rinse it under water every time you finish shaving. If you cut yourself during it, additionally rinse the blades in a disinfectant liquid - peroxide, miramistin, alcohol;
3. Before shaving, apply a special shaving gel or cream to the skin. - this will allow the blade to glide gently over the surface of the skin and additionally eliminate cuts. Shaving gel or foam coats the hairs and gives the blade a better chance to grab them and cut "clean";
4. Shave in the shower (if it's the body) or while washing (if it's the face). Warm water will pre-steam the skin, wash away dead cells and prepare the skin for depilation;
5. Use a light scrub or exfoliation prior to hair removalc - it will remove the keratinized layer of cells and lift the hairs at the roots;
6. Shave in the evening. Experts say that evening shaving has a better effect on the condition of the epidermis than morning shaving, as it allows the skin to rest, and the cream applied in the evening will work all night.

There are several features of proper shaving depending on gender.For example, men shave their faces almost daily, women shave their bikini area and armpits, and maybe even their legs. The skin of a man and a woman is definitely different, and it needs to be treated differently, so we will conditionally divide depilation into male and female.

Women's skin is usually thinner than men's. The need to use a razor depends on the woman: some shave every day, others - every other day, others even less often. The rate of hair growth is different, but on average they grow 0.5-1 cm per month. Which razor to use - male or female, you decide. Manufacturers make them using a single technology; the number of blades, types of cassettes, head angle and external design can distinguish products.

Experts recommend shaving the hair on the legs and thighs against their growth, that is, from the ankle or from the knee upwards. This type of depilation is suitable for any type of skin and hair, but if the epidermis is too sensitive, you will have to remove the hairs according to their growth, that is, move the razor from the knee to the ankle. Removing hair according to their growth is less effective - some of them remain on the skin and require several visits - you will have to shave 2-3 times. But do not treat one area more than 3 times - this can cause irritation or an accidental cut; it is better to repeat the procedure the next day. A preliminary scrub or light peeling based on acids will preliminarily cleanse the skin - it will remove the dead layer of cells, the use of abrasive particles after shaving (after 1-2 days) will prevent ingrown hairs.

Shaving the armpits comes down to maintaining the machine in various directions: up, down, right and left. They grow chaotically in this area and it is important to capture and cut each one of them.

The bikini area will have to be treated in a combined way: start shaving the pubis along the hair growth, that is, from its beginning down to the labia. Treat the most tender area of ​​the labia and the intergluteal area in various directions for a “clean” removal.

Frequent depilation of the skin of the face can lead to irritation, and on the face it does not look the most attractive way. To prevent it, use any pre-shave product: choose a consistency that is comfortable for you, as there is no consensus on which is better - gel or foam. Every time use a lotion or cream after hair removal - it will restore water balance, moisturize the skin, and prevent inflammation. For very thin sensitive skin, choose cosmetics with aloe vera, for problematic skin - with salicylic or any other acid (beauticians recommend using acid products only in the autumn-winter period).

• Choose a razor with a floating head: it follows the lines of the face and prevents cuts;
• If you use a disposable model, then change it after each shaveI or when the blade starts to become dull;
• You will have to change the cassette in the razor every 5-10 procedures, depending on the stiffness of the hair. - as soon as the blade starts to become dull and cut hairs worse, feel free to throw it away;
• Be sure to use a lather, cream or gel before shaving; the first two additionally moisturize the skin, and the third can have a pleasant cooling effect;
• Don't press the razor - high-quality or fresh blades cut hair at the slightest contact with them;
• Your razor is yours only. Do not use other people's machines and forbid even the most dear family member to take their own;
• Scrub your face 2-3 times a week before shaving.. Abrasive particles will remove "dead" cells and provide better gliding over the skin, prevent ingrown hairs.

If irritation after shaving has already appeared, this is not a reason to despair. Store-bought, pharmacy ointments and lotions, cold compresses and folk methods, which are quite reasonable, help to remove redness and a network of small rashes. First, let's talk about how irritation can manifest itself:

• slight redness. It is not worth treating it, it is enough to soothe the skin with a tonic, an alcohol-free lotion, hydrogen peroxide, a decoction of medicinal herbs and moisturize with a cream (for children, for the body, ointment against ingrown hairs);
• Small dots or small pimples usually require moisturizing. If they are accompanied by itching, do not scratch them, just wipe them with a tonic or any other liquid solution with aloe vera, chamomile and apply a light moisturizer;
• Purulent acne may appear 1-2-3 days after shaving. This is a result of clogged pores and ingrown hairs. It will require a whole range of measures from cleaning and disinfection to moisturizing and subsequent care.

Alcohol-free tonics and lotions help to remove slight redness (it dries the skin severely, disrupts the lipid balance of the skin and is especially not recommended for use on the face and body with a sensitive surface).Cold compresses will help relieve itching - put some ice in a bag and wrap it in a cloth or use a special bag of gel, pre-chilled in the freezer, apply to the skin and hold for 5-10 minutes until itching and redness subsides. Be sure to disinfect the skin with peroxide, chamomile or calendula decoction, miramistin, chlorhexidine, or any other pharmacy solution.

They help relieve irritation and have two consistencies - liquid and denser.

• A decoction of chamomile, calendula, mint or other medicinal plant is easy to prepare at home - brew a handful of dry powder in hot water, let it brew - the longer the better. You can brew chamomile or mint in a bag, leave for 20 minutes and refrigerate. Homemade tonic perfectly fights itching and skin irritation. Its remains can be poured into ice molds and frozen, the cubes will later be useful for skin care after depilation and just for washing
• Aloe vera ointment is prepared as follows: chop the leaves of the plant with a blender or knife, mix the resulting slurry with vegetable oil. You can treat the irritated area with it immediately after the depilation procedure, and you will have to store homemade ointment in the refrigerator.
• Lemon juice is suitable for relieving irritation from the surface of the hands and feet. - Wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice.

Treatment of long-term irritation should be entrusted to disinfectants from a pharmacy, such as chlorhexidine, miramistin. They should wipe the areas on the body or face before applying the ointment or cream. The next step is the application of a cream, gel, ointment. Baby powder works well for minor irritation and relieves itching - just apply a little powder on the body.

Excellent healing products are considered "Bepanthen" and "Panthenol”- they moisturize the skin well and heal wounds, soothe and normalize the activity of skin cells, are safe for adolescents, women and men of any age. Hormonal ointments are used by prescription and are not indicated for anyone who has experienced shaving irritation.

It is necessary to treat inflamed areas of the body in a complex way: zinc ointment can be applied to pimples - it dries the skin well and disinfects it, absorbs excess moisture (pus) and brightens the affected areas, preventing the formation of age spots. Aspirin will help replace it - crush one tablet into powder, add a few drops of clean water and apply to the inflamed area on the body. Leave the mixture on for 5-10 minutes and remove with a cotton pad. Aspirin perfectly copes with itching, abscesses, its active ingredients have a disinfecting effect, relieve redness, pain and any discomfort.

Irritation in the bikini area worries a large number of women - this is openly discussed on the forums.Girls prefer to remove hair from an intimate place every or every other day, and this becomes a serious reason for the manifestation of unpleasant irritation, which is accompanied by itching and an unsightly appearance, leading to ingrown hairs and spots.

Forum users are advised to put aside the razor and turn to hair removal - wax or sugar. If it is contraindicated, then, women say, you need to stock up on "bepanthen" and other ointments, as an option - aloe and chamomile and treat the depilated areas immediately after the procedure.

Men, like no one else, know about facial irritation. Redness, small rashes or contrasting white dots on the face are a familiar arsenal, much worse are pustules, itching, and ingrown hairs. However, men are more literate in depilation - almost every one of them uses foam or gel before shaving and cream after. This method is the only true way to maintain an attractive appearance and self-confidence.

Users of razors especially praise folk remedies - chamomile, mint and even birch leaves (pre-brewed) cope well with itching and are safe for health, but they do not recommend using ointments and gels with hormones on their own, only for serious inflammation and with the permission of the doctor.

In the next video - a dermatologist's advice on how to get rid of irritation after shaving.