7 shaving mistakes you’re probably making

Shaving your body can be super-awkward.

Between contorting your body into yoga-like positions to get to those hard-to-reach areas (hello, ankles and bikini lines) to deciding between shaving gels or creams, you probably aren’t sure what the heck you’re doing.

On the upside, there are dermatologists and all-around shaving experts who really know their stuff when it comes to keeping you from looking like you went to war with your razor blade and lost.

We have enlisted expert advice to help break down all the do’s and don’ts you need to know before your next at-home shaving session.

Do warm up with a shower or bath
Prepping your skin for shaving is just as important as one would consider applying leave-in conditioner before detangling knotted hair. If you are going to shave during a shower or bath, New York City-based medical esthetician Tamila Deveny recommends shaving toward the end of showering. This helps to warm up and soften your skin. “When your skin is warm, it will give your hair follicles a chance to properly soften, which lowers your risk of irritation,” she says.

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Don’t shave against the grain
When it comes to shaving against or with the grain, it can sometimes simply be a matter of preference. However, shaving against the grain disrupts your natural growth pattern and can aggravate the skin more easily. As an alternative to having to think so deeply into which way to go, you can always try a hair growth-inhibiting lotion to reduce the density of hair growth in certain areas, as well as to protect the skin from inflammation.

Do use ashave gel or cream
If you simply grab the closest bar soap in sight to lather up before shaving, you’re taking a risk that could cause unwanted irritation. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains, “Ingredients in soaps are designed to remove dirt and oil from the skin. On the other hand, proper shave prep products consist of ingredients that are hydrating and slippery to decrease friction when shaving so the blade doesn’t have to work so hard.”

Don’t press so hard
In this case the idea of “go hard or go home” does not apply. Ease up a bit on the razor when it comes to hair removal, as pressing too hard can lead to unsightly cuts that you’d have to cover up with bandages. “Unfortunately, the firm pressure is most likely to result in trauma [to the skin] more than anything else,” says Shereene Idriss, MD, of Union Square Dermatology. “If you have a good razor, the blades are sharp enough to get you a close shave without needing the physical push.”

Do have a seat
If you are trying to properly remove hair from your kneecaps or ankles, experts agree that sitting down while doing so is one of your best bets. “Most people try to do some crazy acrobatics in the shower while shaving, which, not to state the obvious, can lead to pretty traumatic experiences,” says Idriss. “I always recommend getting a shower stool that you can sit on while shaving or use as support.”

Don’t skipout on aftercare
“An easy addition to your shave routine that is necessary is moisturising the skin afterwards,” says Levin. “Shaving causes micro-injuries to the skin, which can result in irritation, burning, redness, and dryness. If you do develop mild irritation, I recommend an over-the counter-gentle cortisone or a petrolatum-based ointment to soothe inflammation. If hyperpigmentation or dark spots occur as a result of inflammation, sunscreen is 100 per cent necessary to prevent further darkening of the skin.”

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