Shaving Without Wrecking Your Skin

Shaving is a form of mechanical exfoliation — it removes a layer of dead skin cells along with the hair. Done correctly, this can leave skin smooth. Done carelessly, it strips the barrier, causes razor burn, traps hairs, and leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones.

Before you shave

• Soften the hair first: shave after a shower when hair has absorbed water and softened. Dry shaving requires more force and causes more irritation.
• Use a shave gel or cream, not foam: foam is mostly air and provides poor lubrication. A gel or cream creates a proper film that the blade glides over.
• Do not use bar soap: it leaves a residue that increases friction and dries skin.

During the shave

• Shave with the grain: going against the direction of hair growth gets a closer shave but dramatically increases irritation and ingrown hair risk, especially on the neck.
• Use light pressure — let the blade do the work. Pressing harder does not improve the shave; it increases cuts and irritation.
• Rinse the blade frequently: a clogged blade drags rather than cuts.
• Replace blades regularly: a dull blade requires more passes and more pressure. Most blades last 5–7 shaves, not 20.

After the shave

• Rinse with cool water: closes pores and reduces redness.
• Avoid alcohol-based aftershaves: they sting for a reason — they strip the barrier and dry skin significantly. They feel "clean" because that sensation is associated with cleanliness, not because they are doing something useful.
• Apply a light moisturiser or balm with niacinamide: this calms redness and replenishes moisture lost during shaving.
• SPF if it is morning: freshly shaved skin is more UV-sensitive.