Acne and Shaving

Everyone hates acne, but how awful it is to wake up in the morning, shave your beard (in a man's case) or your legs (in a woman's case) and end up with a nasty skin irritation? Although shaving itself cannot cause acne, it can cause you a great deal of problems.

"Shaving bumps" are acne-like breakouts also known as "Pseudofolliculitis barbae", and they are the result of inflammation in the hair follicle brought on by shaving. Because the hair grows back after shaving, waxing and plucking, it gets trapped inside follicles (being blocked by old skin cells, dirt, because the hair curls back on itself, an incorrect shaving technique), causing swelling and irritations. Curly-haired people are more likely to suffer from this skin issue, but anyone can get shaving bumps.

How to avoid this problem? There are certain tips you could keep in mind when shaving in order to prevent this type of acne and "shave smart" for fewer breakouts. Regardless to what device you choose to shave with, a very significant rule you should consider is to be consistent in your shaving habits. Do not let time pass you (and your beard) by. Shave on a daily basis if you can and so your skin will be easier to manage.

Also, if you are a woman, do not let the hair on your legs grow too much, take action when it is visibly necessary. Secondly, prepare the shaving environment properly; be sure your skin is sufficiently moistured (consider shaving in the shower, because warm water and steam are a real blessing). Use a shaving cream or gel but be sure you let it set in for a minute or so before you actually start removing the hair.

Remember to always shave with the grain, using slow downward-diagonal strokes and avoid shaving the same area more than once. Do not press down on the razor, try to keep your swipes to about an inch long, and rinse out your blade frequently with warm water. When you are done, use cold water to wash your face: your pores will quickly tighten up and so your skin will gain protection.

Be sure to use a gentle aftershave (alcohol-free), an antibacterial gel and even a light moisturizer to get better results. Change your razorblade as often as you can. If you prefer using an electric razor to save time, use one that has a powerful cutting mechanism, handles thick hairs and it is easy to clean and maintain.

If you own an electric razor that is intended to be used with moisturizing lotion, make sure you use it. If not, dry your skin well before shaving. Do not press the razor too hard against the skin; let the razor glide over your skin and slightly pull your skin with the other hand. So if you want a smooth look and an acne-free face or body be sure to follows these tips to see the results.