Shaving Advice For Women By Dr Shave

Shaving Advice For Women By Dr Shave

The following extract was taken from the ‘Ask Dr Shave’ Webpage at

(http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/)

Introduction

Shaving is an art and shaving properly will ensure that your skin will feel smooth and refreshed and free from the problems associated with shaving.

Wet shaving gives you more effective shaves and better looking skin. The hot water opens the pores of your skin and relaxes your muscles, and softens your hair for more effective cutting. 

Preparation

To obtain the best, most satisfying results from shaving it is important to make sure the area you are about to shave is well prepared. Trim long hair with scissors before shaving. If you don’t the razor will ‘clog’ and soon become blunt making the shave painful as it pulls and snatches at the hair. Lubricate the area well as the razor needs to glide over it and not drag, pull or snatch.

Shave in a hot bath and apply a rich creamy lather. The layer of hot water between your skin and the lather causes the blade to skim the surface instead of dragging, pulling or snatching on it, which is the main cause of razor burn, shave bumps and other irritations. 

Shaving creams give a rich, lubricating lather that softens and moisturises the skin and provides slip and glide to allow the shaving razor a smooth, nick free passage over the area.

Use a shaving brush to apply the shaving cream for a close, comfortable shave and soft, smooth skin. 

Lather the area using a rich moisturising, shaving cream and apply it with a brush. Brushing across your skin has an exfoliate effect, but the greatest benefit from using a shaving brush is that it will soften and lift your hair before a shave, allowing for a smooth, close trouble free shave.

 Applying shaving cream by hand ‘mats’ hair or raises it unevenly. Using the shaving brush in a circular motion prevents this and forms a rich, moisturising lather suitable for the shave

Equipment.

Razor The best preparation in the world will amount to nothing if you do not use a good razor. There is now a huge market for women’s razors so you should not find it difficult to find one suitable for you. What is important is that you use it to shave properly. Ensure that you use a sharp blade. We recommend Mach 3 blades, both for safety and to ensure a close shave.

Do not use the blade for more than 7-8 days.

Shaving BrushThe term shave brush or shaving brush refers to an implement with bristles set into a handle which is used to apply shaving soap or shaving cream to the skin when shaving. Luxury handcrafted handles can be made from fine materials such as ivory or even gold and can be designed to feel well-balanced in the hand. The bristle load may be composed of any number of natural or synthetic materials. We find that badger hair brushes are the best on the market. 

Quality shaving brushes are expensive, so it makes sense to look after them.

After the shave rinse your shaving brush thoroughly in warm water, squeeze the head of the brush gently and then flick it a few times to get rid of excess water.

Place your shaving brush on a brush stand, so the water can drip away from the base of the brush hair.

Never - I repeat - never stand your brush on its end, or keep it inside a cupboard or a bag, as the hair on the brush will smell, create mildew and rot.

The Shave.

Shave with the grain of the hair as shaving stubble (short hairs) against the grain can cause redness, razor burn and rashes.

Do not pull the skin too tight if you do shave against the grain.

Rinse the head of your razor in warm water after every stroke.

All razor strokes should be slow and deliberate.

A razor does not need to be pressed hard onto the skin in order to provide a close shave, so don’t apply too much pressure, try to let the razor glide over the skin.

Some areas of skin need to be pulled taut as folded skin is difficult to shave. Taut skin will help the razor to have a smooth passage over it. Bend your knees slightly to pull the skin tight before shaving over them.  

Lift your arm up while shaving underarm to pull your skin tight and then shave from the bottom up, allowing the razor to glide over the skin. 

 For the ‘bikini area’ shave horizontally, from the outside to the inside of the upper thigh and groin area, using smooth even strokes.

Shave frequently to keep the area free of irritation and ingrown hairs.

After Shave Treatment

Remember that your skin has just undergone an operation and is at its most sensitive immediately after the shave, so dry your skin by gently ‘patting’ it with a soft towel.

Rubbing will cause friction and will make the area hot and more sensitive.

Apply skin food or an after shave balm or moisturiser, to sooth and protect the skin. Do not apply any lotion that is alcohol based or use deodorants or anti-perspirants immediately after shaving, as this may result in irritation and stinging.

If you have followed all these tips, how do you feel? How does your skin feel? Please let us know if this article has been of help to you.

Dr Shave – Dr Shave is the leading online expert for all your shaving and skincare problems, feel free to visit him athttp://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/shavepedia/