Shaving Tips

[Guest Emily1]

I haven't been shaving for long but I learned a few things that I would like to pass along to others - if I had known these before I started, it would have certainly helped.

1. Moving the razor faster doesn't mean that you'll be done sooner. Also, pressing it down harder doesn't help.
   
2. It's best to shave in the direction opposite the way the hairs go (kinda obvious). However, the hair points in different directions, so it helps to note which way it points.
   
3. Especially if you are shaving for the first time (and have lots of hair), the razor will get clogged up quickly, and you have to wash it out. In my case, the razor got completely clogged after each pass, and even cleaning it out every time, it took around 5-10 passes to completely shave any particular pass.
   

If anyone else has any useful tips to offer, I'm sure many would appreciate it!

Hope this helps,

Emily

[Guest Nelly]

Hi,

if you have problems with lot of hairs that stuck the razor, you can move it up and done on the skin. If you move it against the growing direction of the hair you will cut the hairs. The razor collect them. If you move down on the skin, the stucked hairs stays on the end of the fresh shaved skin and does not stay in the razor. Move only about 10cm (4 inch). Shave this part some times until the skin is free of hairs without lifting the razor up. Allways stay on the skin. Than move sideways to a none shaved area. Until you shaved everything you can move into the growing direction of the hairs. Do not move in the other direction because in this place all the removed hairs are stored. E.g. if you shave your lower leg. Start with the front side of the leg near the knee. Shave it all around that you can reach from front side. Than move down more close to the feet. If you finished the front side of the lower leg clean it and remove all lose hairs. Than start with the back side.

Use only a very soft preasure to the razor. If you press to hard you cut the skin.

Never move the razor parallel to the blade on the skin. This will cut deep into the skin. Allway move sidways in a very small angle that you does not move the razor parallel to the blade.

Greetings

Nelly

[Guest Stephanie1983]

That's good, specific advice, I'll be sure to try that.... As far as razor burn goes, lotion is the answer. I put on lotion before the shaving cream and more lotion after I've shaved.

Best of luck,

Stephanie

[Guest April63]

Moisturizer helps keep the razor burn and ingrown hairs from coming up. I've been shaving with the grain with shaving cream ,and then against it while using moisturizer instead of shaving cream. It gets real close.

April

[Guest Elizabeth K]

New to Shaving?

Girls, I've been doing this since before most of you were born (I hate to say).

(1) first few times will be rough because your skin is not toughened yet, there are layers of dry skin that tend to be removed along with the hair, and you will nor be familiar with shaving your legs, which is NOTHING like shaving your face.

(2) Practice will help. But on the first few tries you will cut and maim, even using the utmost care - you won't understand the terrain of your legs until you have done this four or five times.

Your knees are not the same texture as the smoother areas because they bend and have folds of skin - also every scab you had as a boy-girl (whatever you thought you were when a kid) will be there ready to snag that blade in your razor, until you know where they are. Also, ankles have the folds of skin like knees, so watch out there too. The flat area on top of your thighs (you will probably shave up high - it looks and feels too good not to) will probably have had years of suntanning, maybe some skin damage, and will require a more tender approach than the super-white areas elsewhere. So remember each area is different and requires a different pressure and direction.

(3) Direction of the razor pull. I cannot make a recommendation on that. The closest cutting stroke will be against the grain of the hair growth, but it cuts more skin with the hair. Drawing the razor with the direction of hair growth keeps us girls from developing ingrown hairs (somewhat) and reduces rashing afterward, but is not as close of a shave for many. I can only say try it both ways to see what works best for you.

(4) Please do NOT use regular soap or lotions as they clog the razor blades (I know you are using the multiple blade razors - they are so much better). Soaking you legs in a luxurious bath feels gereat, but can waterlog the skin a bit, which can cause a less close shave and perhaps a nasty nick or two. If you are a lay down in the tub and shave type girl, shave your legs early. If you shower, well, it can be more difficult to reach where you want to shave but it works well for most of us, especially if there is a shelf or ridge to support us when bending for the ankles and feet. I suggest using a regular man's or woman's shaving foam or cream. The Aloe ones for sensitive skin - or something similar - are particularly good, especially for those just beginnig.

(5) You should understand that once you start the routine of shaving your legs, unless it is a once-in-a-while thing, you have to maintain it.

Stubble (yuck) begins to appear within about a half day for most of us. Our first reaction is to shave it off again, but it will only encorage rash and cuts. If you initially have any signs of rash you really need to wait a minimum of a couple of days before shaving again - at least until the rash COMPLETELY disappears.

Cuts? Well, they tend to scab over and beg you to hit them again, so the can become ugly scars. You should learn to shave around old cuts until the are COMPLETELY gone - which may take weeks - sometimes months?

But the point is, once you start and can keep your legs free of rash and cuts (well the best you can, anyway) then you SHOULD maintain the shaving routine. Every other day usually is okay, but shaving everyday is taking a risk. Usally I have to restrict shaving to no more than three times a week to keep my legs healthy and cut free. That can be hard on your en femme timeschedule if you don't plan it correctly, and if you are full time, you will just have to have stubby hair legs some of the time, just like every other woman - and deal with it!

If you abandon shaving and then return to it, you will have to retrain your skin, so it is actally better to just start, accept it, and deal with the problems it causes - like a woman does everyday of her life.

(6) Please - never bear down hard, it doesn't help make the shaving closer. Use a very light, feminine touch. Closeness in shaving comes from repetition. I suggest you shave at least three times in the same session, varying the direcion and length of the stroke slightly each time. This light touch, repetative approach eliminates cuts and scrapes.

(7) There are after-shaving lotions available, if you have extra sensitive skin you might need it, but I find almost any lotion works.

After you finish shaving? use lotion. I strongly suggest that you never attempt to shave using lotion, instead of water and a good shaving cream. Many of us use a body lotion every night because we like the smoothing effect. If you didn't shave before applying lotion to your legs, please avoid the tempatation to shave afterward - this will cause you to cut and scarpe your legs. NEVER dry-shave - goodness gracious, no - a woman never dry shaves as it destroys the beauty of her legs.

(8) Cuts? They make you bleed and bleed - I think leg cuts are much worse that those on the face. Many a time I can remember turning the bath water red...

The tried and true method stopping bleeding - of using a tiny piece of toilet paper on the cut - usually works unless you have created a gusher. Stiptic pencils can be used, but I avoid them as they seem to encourage scaring- but sometimes a stiptic is the only solution, if you are in a hurry to finish dressing.

Hoisery tries to become a part of any scab if you rush first aid too fast. Even if you are staying bare legged, bloody spots on your clothes or the sheets can be hard to explain if you are still being subtle, as it will be obviously from you legs.

Sometimes your only solution to stopping bleeding is to grab a wet facecloth and apply pressure! Remember that spot or scratch the next time you use a razor, or the same thing will happen again.

(9) Oh, and putting concealer over a new cut is a terrible idea. Try putiting a good clear type antibiotic cream to help prevent scarring - it usually speeds up healing.

(10) There are also scrape type cuts - they don't always show at first but they can burn like fire. It seems they are usually caused by shaving in a hurry, too close, or using a damaged or worn out razor.

I NEVER use the same razor twice, it can be expensive to do it that way but I believe it is worth it. I never use an old razor, or someone else's razor. AND to do the job right, I never shave other areas of my body first, then my legs last. Leg area is huge compared to other areas and demands its own razor.

(11) Unless you are hooked on pink, or like "cute" razors, a regular man's disposable razor works fine. They are less expensive and can be bought in bulk.

(12) If your leg hair is long, I suggest you use a trimmer first. There are electric trimmers and razor comb types. CAUTION: stay away from the water if using the electric type trimmer. Also I suggest you remember that the longer hairs are going somewhere, so it is neater to put down a towel ( I sound like my mother), a paper towel seems to work best.

Hair 1/8" or less is easier to shave, and does not clog the razor as quicky. The best way to shave is to keep that darn razor clean. Shaving cream residue needs to be washed out, which takes the debris with it. A hint - avoid wiping the blades unless absolutely necessary as it dulls them.

(13) Hummmm. a difficult recommendation here, how to be delicate? Remember women do NOT shave certain areas when shaving their legs. The main danger is the different type of bacteria on other parts of the body. If you have the inclination to "shave all over", use a separate razor - or better yet, a separate time.

You may also want to remember that all stubble itches, so shaving certain areas can lead to much miseryas the hair grows back. Would it be better to just use a trimmer on some areas?

(14) BEST recommendation of all - if you can afford it, buy a depilatory "shaver. " These pull out our leg hairs using machine tweezers.

I find I can the groom less often, and have super smooth results that last much longer - about a week for me - I touch up each Saturday.

If you chose to use this hair removal method, you will have to accustom your legs to a different type of hair removal. You may want to also "touch-up" with regular shaving, afterward. Its fun, and works - at least for me!

Please - don't even think of buying a cheap type depilatory "shaver". You will need the big two blade rotor unit that retails somewhere at just under a hundred bucks. These WILL wear out relatively fast if not properly maintained. As with most everything else, you can probably find them cheaper on that certain computer auction site. There are several types of units and several brands, but my favorite is the big white one with the yellow trim.

May a smooth and well groomed set of legs accompany you on your journey!

[Guest dannae]

Yes that is good advice,i just love to shave now.