Are You Making These Common Shaving Mistakes?

Before you jump into the shower and shave your legs, you should read about these common shaving mistakes. This quick list will keep you from getting razor burn, bumps, ingrowns and other painful problems:

You’re not replacing the razor enough

Disposal razors can’t stay sharp for very long. If you’re leaving your razor in the shower for weeks and weeks, it’s going to get dull and do a poor job of getting rid of your hair.

Experts recommend that you replace your razor blades after every few uses — you will notice that it tugs or pulls instead of gliding easily across the skin. The more that you shave, the more often you should replace your razors. You don’t want to deal with accidental cuts, razor burn and unwanted patches of stubble.

To extend your razor’s lifespan, you should store it in a dry area like your medicine cabinet. Leaving it in the shower increases levels of bacteria, which will give you those infamous little red bumps.

You’re not preparing your skin properly

It’s not enough to get your legs wet for a second. You should wait a few minutes in the hot water before you pull out the razor — wash your hair, lather up with soap or belt out a ballad in the meantime. Doing this softens the hair and the skin, making for a smoother shave.

Wash your legs with soap to keep any dirt, grime and bacteria away from the razor. Then, coat your legs with shaving cream and carefully shave them in gentle strokes. Shaving cream is designed to make the surface slippery so that the blades don’t snag.

You’re irritating your skin after

One of the biggest shaving mistakes that people make all of the time is ruining their close shave with irritating products. You’ve just trimmed those follicles and opened those pores in the hot shower, so the skin is going to be very sensitive. Slathering on products with ingredients like alcohol or artificial fragrances will cause breakouts. If you use anything, check that it’s gentle on the skin.

What if you’re tired of shaving?

If you’re tired of your near-daily shaving routine, you should consider something different. As far as hair removal methods go, laser hair removal is second to none — it doesn’t just get rid the hair from your body, it makes sure that it doesn’t grow back. After shaving your legs, the stubble will come up in a couple of days. After completing an average of five to seven laser treatments, you may never see that stubble again.

It’s considered one of the best forms of hair removal by dermatologists because it’s highly effective in the short and long term. It beats out methods like waxing, threading, plucking, depilatories and electrolysis.

The one thing that can make you balk at this removal treatment is the price. Don’t worry. Many reputable clinics set up affordable rates so that clients can achieve the smooth skin of their dreams. Also, think about how much you’ll save on a lifetime of creams, razors and other shaving products.