Armpit Shaving - Don't Get Sore!

By Andrea Strachan

Whether or not you choose to shave your armpits is your choice. Most women will say that they shave their armpits because it makes them feel more hygienic and feminine. In recent years, men have started to shave their armpits too.
Removing your armpit hair can make it easier to keep clean as hair can trap bacteria which, if not taken care of will result in a bad case of body odor.

Although the majority of women in the western world shave their armpits, most of them are probably doing it wrong. Classic signs are red bumps under the arms, soreness, dryness/itching and in some cases bleeding. These symptoms can easily be avoided if the following precautions are taken.

If this is the first time that you have shaved your armpits, the hair is most likely quite long. This is not ideal as it will clog up your razor. Before shaving, try to reduce the length of the hair using a set of clippers or carefully with a pair of scissors. You need the hair to be no longer than 0.2 in (5 mm) before you begin.

Preparation
1) When your armpits are due for a shave, try and coincide it with when you take a bath or a shower. Wait until the hot water has been in contact with the area to be shaved for at least five minutes before you start to shave. This way, the hair will be nice and softened. This will greatly reduce the chance of you getting a shaving rash or that horrible burning redness.
2) Never shave your armpits without applying some sort of shaving gel or cream. Make sure it is worked into a good lather as this will help the blade of the razor glide over your skin without actually grazing you.
3) Make sure you are using a clean razor preferably with a new blade.

Armpit Shaving Technique
1) Lift your arm and rest the razor at the top of your armpit. If your arm starts to get tired, rest your hand on the back of your neck. Now, apply a small amount of pressure as you slowly and gently slide the razor down in one single stroke. If you fell a slight snagging, it may be that the hairs are slightly too long. Should this be the case, use lots of short strokes to overcome the snagging sensation.
2) Always rinse the razor after each successive stroke. This will clear out any hair that may be clogging the razor. If your razor is clogged, you will have to apply more pressure until you over compensate and give yourself a nasty cut!
3) Repeat the above process until you have shaved the whole area. Now, you will get a much closer shave if you repeat the process but use up strokes instead of down. This will lift the hair slightly and give the hair a closer cut. Repeat the above step but shave upwards this time.
4) If you have sensitive skin or you suffer from red bumps after shaving, it may be wise to miss this step. Sometimes shaving upwards can cut the hair too close. As the skin relaxes, the cut end of the hair can retreat below the skin. As the hair then starts to grow back out over time, it may cause red bumps and soreness.
5) Repeat the same process but on the other armpit. That's all there is to it!
6) If you manage to cut yourself whilst shaving, get out of the hot water and rinse the affected area with cold water. This will help to stem the bleeding. If the bleeding persists you could try using a piece of tissue paper or a styptic pencil. Obviously if the cut is quite severe you will need a band-aid.
7) Most importantly, when drying yourself after shaving your armpit try to pat-dry the area as oppose to rubbing. Rubbing is one of the main causes of dryness and soreness after shaving. You will just be irritating the area. Simply pat dry the area and apply a good quality moisturizer that has no added perfume. This will leave you with a smooth, bump free, hair free armpit.

Andrea Strachan has been in the beauty business for 25 Years. For more information on armpit shaving or for general permanent hair removal advice, visit http://www.permanent-hair-removal-tips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Strachan

Great Tips For Preventing Razor Burn And Having Smooth Skin

By David Maillie

Shaving is a part of just about every man's and woman's daily routine, a dreaded part. Am I going to nick myself? How long will the irritation last this time? Shaving the night before to avoid a rashy red face. Pretty much every man that I know of shaves, and so razor burn can cause huge problem to many people (even women hate this as they get razor burn on their legs and I'm sure hthat has to be very uncomfortable to walk with and wear panty hose over).

To avoid this affliction, care should be taken to use the correct equipment and technique. Razor burn is a kind of burning sensation that you experience after shaving. This is caused by the razor removing the skins natural moisture and thusly causing irritation. This makes the skin very sensitive, dry, and sometimes inflamed. Saving is a very unnatural and high friction process and if done incorrectly can quickly irritate your skin.

Sometimes razor burn can be very uncomfortable, and can cause visible rashes and bumps along the face and neck, or any other place that is shaved regularly (there are not any exceptions! So girls beware!). It can be both ugly and painful, in extreme cases it can even lead to scarring due to shaving off and nicking of the bumps and ingrown hairs that can result and this can be very painful and result in an inflammed condition similar to acne vulgaris in its most serious manifestations. People have been using different methods to cure razor burn for centuries.

In almost every case prevention is normally better than a cure, and razor burn is no exception to this. It is much easier and better to prevent razor burn than looking for a treatment after you have got it. After a hair has been shaved, it begins to grow back. When a razor edge harshly moves over the follicle of the hair, it gets broken and injured at the edges. Due to the dirt and other foreign bodies present at the base of the skin, infection of the follicle wound can take place causing itchy red rashes, which can even look like pimples.

These inflamed papules or pustules are the most irritating symptom of Razor burn, they are also quite disfiguring as it causes your skin to look red and blotchy. And with repeated daily shaving and irritation they can even mimic more severe cases of acne and have similar resultant scars. This does not need to happen and can be avoided.

For the rest of this and other great articles please visit the best in helpful free health care and skin care content - http://www.bestskinpeel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Maillie

Shaving Properly Or, How I Learned To Stop Getting A Rash And Love My Razor

By Steve Dempster

Okay, that's a tongue-in-cheek title but the fact is that most men have never been taught how to shave properly. This article will try to remedy this fact and keep men's faces rash-free!

There are many rites of passage in a man's life and the first 'real' shave has to be one of them. You all know the one I mean - where real bristles are poking out of your chin to replace the fluff of adolescence. It's an important moment, yet how many young men are taught to shave correctly? Very few, it would seem.

That's an odd thing when you think about it. A father will teach his son all manner of things, from how to fish to how to how to service a car - but almost never how to shave. My theory is that it's the same mindset as when men visit a public washroom. No-one speaks and for sure no one looks! Some of this taboo seems to have rubbed off into all grooming activities - and that includes shaving.

I'm an advocate of the cut-throat or straight razor but I'm no zealot. If you want to use a safety razor that's fine by me. The principles will still be the same for obtaining not only a smooth shave but also avoiding razor-burn and the dreaded shaving rash. So here, for all of you out there who view shaving as a dismal experience and for those just starting, is how it's done.

First off, make sure you're using a sharp razor. That may seem an obvious thing to say but remember that mature stubble, say in a man of twenty-five years or more of age, has the same tensile strength as copper wire. Strong, eh? So you are asking a lot of any razor to plane that lot off! Straight razors are whetted on a strop before each use, so giving (in effect) a new blade every shave. Safety razors lose their edge progressively with each use - how long before you have to replace the blade depends on how often you shave and the toughness of your beard, which varies considerably from man to man. So if this is your first ever real shave, use a new blade.

Secondly, learn a bit about your beard and how it grows. Place a finger under your nose. If you draw it straight down across your lips and under your chin, chances are that that's your beard's 'watershed'. (To call this a 'watershed' is not far from the truth. Our remote ancestors' beards grew like this so rain would shed from their faces.) The hairs on your lips and chin, and the ones on your neck, will 'fan out' from this imaginary line. This is called your beard's 'grain'. The hairs on your cheeks also usually grow away from this line but point downwards more.

Having learned the 'grain' of your beard - and it does differ amongst individuals - the first pass of the razor should be 'with the grain' so, having applied a good quality shaving cream or soap, draw the razor in the direction of the 'grain'. It also helps to stretch the skin slightly in order to present the flattest possible surface to the blade - this will help to avoid nicks. Watch your fingers! When you have finished shaving with the grain, try your face out for smoothness. You'll notice that with the 'grain' it feels great, but against it it still feels quite scratchy - unless you're one of the lucky guys whose beard hair grows straight out from his skin!

So what to do? If you want the smoothest shave possible, lather again and shave across the 'grain', then again against it. This last direction - against the 'grain' of the beard - gives the smoothest finish of all but can be tricky for a novice, especially if using a straight razor. Personally I find that two passes gives me a great smooth shave.

In this article I'm only talking about straight razors or single-blade safety razors. There's a reason for this. The triple- and quadruple-bladed razors available today are great, but one single pass of a four-blade cartridge is the same as four separate passes with a single and this heavy skin exfoliation is one of the prime causes of both razor burn and unsightly rashes, particularly on young skin. Too, multi-blades can cause the problem of ingrowing hairs and 'razor bumps' if used too enthusiastically. Save them until you're so familiar with your face that one pass is all you need.

To finish, use a good skin food or after-shave balm - your face will love you for it and so will the opposite sex! Try to avoid alcohol-based lotions - not only do they sting like crazy but the have a very drying effect on the skin. If you want to go down the biological route, try one based on Aloe Vera - it's a great moisturiser and chemical-free.

So that's it. A very basic guide to getting a good shave without looking like you've been in a bar brawl. The watchwords are simple - practice and concentration. Take your time - shaving isn't supposed to hurt or be a boring chore - and enjoy what is a truly manly art.

Steve Dempster uses a straight razor and survives the experience on a daily basis. For more information on shaving and shaving equipment, take a look at The Invisible Edge
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Dempster

Shaving With Shea Butter

By Dr. Robyn Tisdale Scott

Shaving can be a real chore, in both men and women with sensitive skin. With every pass of the razor, they create painful bumps and razor burn that only gets worse when they applying a lotion or aftershave. Some people have problems with this no matter how expensive their razor is, or how gentle and protective their shaving cream is supposed to be. Even if you don't experience razor bumps or burn, you should know that there is another option: Shea Butter.

Shea Butter comes from the kernel of the fruit of the Karite Nut tree. Most people have heard of Shea Butter, because it's becoming extremely popular and more and more people refuse to buy products that don't include Shea Butter. Why? It has been referred to as a 'heal all' for centuries. When you use this in the unrefined organic form, you are putting some amazing power into your beauty maintenance routine. Shea Butter is filled with natural anti-aging properties, vitamins, nutrients and components which actually protect your skin from the sun and the environment.

There are numerous uses for Shea Butter, and shaving is just one of them. When you smooth on this creamy and rich product, you are doing a couple of great things. First of all, you're giving your dry and tired skin a generous conditioning full of natural vitamins that your skin will absorb. This prepares the skin for shaving, and provides a healthy protection for your skin during the shave.

According to the American Shea Butter Institute, when you shave with it, you reduce the shearing force between your skin and the razor. This makes for a closer shave that is less traumatic to your skin. You might be surprised how smoothly the shave goes when you use unrefined Shea Butter. Both men and women call a product which reduces bumps and razor burn 'invaluable.' That's because it's so painful to have the bumps and burn that shaving can cause. Not to mention the fact that women find it more difficult to wear shorts and skirts with the little red bumps up and down their legs and men are often embarrassed by the unsightly and unattractive razor bumps. Shea Butter is an amazing product to use for all sorts of things, and shaving is just another great one.

Visit Purely Shea at http://www.purelyshea.com for information about Shea Butter!
Robyn Tisdale Scott is a Clinical Pharmacist who used her clinical expertise and pharmacology skills to develop Purely Shea, a Certified Organic Shea Butter based line of skin care. http://www.purelyshea.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Robyn_Tisdale_Scott

Ingrown Hair Treatment Review

By Mike Jones

Ingrown Hair Treatment Description
A post epilating or after shaving solution which eliminates ingrown hair, redness, bumps and irritation caused by shaving, waxing, tweezing and other hair removal methods.

Who Can Use It
Both men and women.

How It Is Used
For large areas, spray directly onto the affected area.
For smaller and sensitive areas such as eyebrows or bikini area apply with a cotton swab.
Apply liberally and rub in thoroughly immediately after every hair removal session. Then 2 to 3 times daily until the skin clears.

When Results Can Be Expected
Ingrown Hair Treatment eliminates ingrown hair within a few days.

Where It Can Be Used
On any area of the body where hair has been removed.

The Pain Factor
Minor stinging may be experienced due to the alcohol content. The effect is similar to most aftershave products.
To minimize this effect for sensitive skin, allow 10-30 minutes after epilating or shaving before applying Ingrown Hair Treatment.

How It Works
Ingrown Hair Treatment mildly exfoliates the outer dermal layer of skin while adding elasticity to the newly exposed hair.
This releases the trapped hair from under the constantly regenerating layers of skin.
Ingrown Hair Treatment is effective for both the treatment and prevention of ingrown hairs.

Safety Standards
Ingrown Hair Treatment does not use Acetylsalicylate (ASA) to deaden pain like some other products.
Even those allergic to Aspirin can safely use Ingrown Hair Treatment.
Ingrown Hair Treatment also provides antiseptic and antibacterial benefits to skin.

Who Makes It
Nisim International
204 Wilkinson Rd.
Brampton Ontario
Canada L6T 4M4

The Guarantee
Ingrown Hair Treatment is backed by an unconditional, indefinite, money-back guarantee.
If for any reason a user is dissatisfied, just return the remaining solution to Nisim International for a courteous refund.
For current discounts and offers check the resource box below.

Mike is able to offer substantial discounts on Ingrown Hair Treatment straight from the supplier:
http://www.1bodycare.com/iht.htm
Also check out Kalo Hair Growth Inhibitor for unwanted body hair. Click here:
http://www.1bodycare.com/kalo.htm
Check out Mike's other research resources:
Hair Removal - Nine Methods: http://www.about-hair-removal.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Jones

Men's Skin Care: It's a Guy Thing

By Danny Siegenthaler

If you are 50 years old and have been shaving your face since starting to grow a beard you have dragged a razor blade across your face in excess of 9000 times… Yes, that much shaving and tugging at your skin combined with the irritations, nicks and cuts add up to significant need for skin care and repair. Slashing on some after-shave is not going to do the trick either.

“Men’s skin is quite different to that of women’s” according to Susan Siegenthaler, director of research and product development for Wildcrafted Herbal Products, Sydney, Australia. “The fact is, men’s skin is thicker and oilier than women’s and has to put up with considerable irritation from daily shaving”.

That said, Susan insists: “that there is no need to go over board and spend hours going through complex skin care regimes to keep men’s skin looking and feeling great. Three simple steps, followed faithfully, can substantially improve the skin’s look, feel, health and vitality”.

1. Cleansing your skin before you shave:
“First, throw out your traditional soap bar – it’s too harsh, dries out your skin and is full of synthetic chemicals which do nothing positive for your skin. Use warm water to wash your face and instead of using soap bars, choose a gentle cleansing gel to remove stale oils and dirt from the skin that doesn’t remove the natural protective acid mantle”, Susan suggests: “try a gentle exfoliant such as the Skin Renewal Gel from Wildcrafted Herbal Products, which contains herbs, essential oils and other ingredients to deeply clean pores, promote blood circulation and remove dead skin cells”.

2. Shaving
Susan suggests, “shave right after you wash your face, because the warm water makes your stubbles soft and easier to shave. Traditional shaving creams tend to be harsh on the skin and do not in themselves benefit the skin. They are designed purely for the purpose of shaving”, Susan explains. “The benefits of replacing your harsh shaving cream with a natural alternative, like the Vitalising Shaving Gel developed for Wildcrafted Herbal Products, is that not only do you lubricate the skin to assist in shaving, but you add vital nutrients and oils that are absorbed by the skin. The oils and herbal extracts contained in our products are designed to prevent nicks and cuts and sooth the skin preventing shaving rash, while at the same time nourishing and hydrating the skin”.

3. Tone and Moisturise
Susan insists that: “Toning and moisturising is critical for men. The shaving process irritates and stresses the skin and leaves it quite vulnerable”. “Toning closes the pores, preventing loss of moisture and invasion of dirt and bacteria”, explains Susan. The formulae of our toning lotions are all designed to re-establish the skin’s normal pH and prevent dehydration of the skin.

Finally a moisturising crème such as the Ginseng Hydrator for Men is ideal to help repair and give back to the skin what shaving takes out. It is a must for any man that cares about the health of their skin.

About the Author Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter – it’s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2005
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Siegenthaler

A Definitive Therapy for Ingrown Hairs or Razor Bumps

By Deidra Garcia

Ingrown hairs (also called razor bumps) are unsightly and painful. They result when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. It can cause scarring, redness and swelling (its medical term is Pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB).

We have developed this comprehensive approach that will solve the most stubborn conditions or occasional ingrown hairs. You will need to follow all the steps in this regimen for several weeks.

1. Treat with active ingredients
- There are several products that claim to help treat ingrown hairs, but the reality is that Salicylic acid is the one active substance that can visibly improve razor bumps. It is a dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes, clears pores and can help prevent infection. Use a post-shave product with salicylic acid so it remains on your skin the whole day (see below).
- Use only a non-acnegenic shaving cream specially formulated for sensitive skin, with lots of lubricating agents (foam-based shaving creams can dry and irritate your skin).
- Do not use any product that has alcohol, it will seriously worsen ingrown hairs by drying the skin and closing the pores.

2. Improve your skin's surface
- Exfoliating (removing the upper layers of dead skin) is indispensable to manage ingrown hairs. Daily use of a gentle face scrub with glycolic and salicylic acid is particularly effective.
- Use a soft-bristle face brush and liquid cleanser in a circular motion on your beard to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hairs to surface unimpeded.

3. Adjust your shaving technique
- We hate to be the ones to tell you this, but shaving too closely is one of the triggers for razor bumps. Hair stubs cut too closely will get trapped inside the hair follicle and dig inward or sideways. Don't worry, the disappearance of unsightly ingrown hairs will more than make up for the "five-o'clock shadow" appearance.
- To avoid shaving too close, don't pull the skin when you shave; don't put too much pressure on the blades; shave with the grain and use a single-blade razor.
- You will need to maintain this approach over time, as one extra-close shave will be enough to cause a recurrence of ingrown hairs that will take weeks to heal.

4. Treat already ingrown hairs
- Carefully lift the ingrown end out with tweezers, but don't pluck the hair out; this will only make the hair regrow deeper.
- Azulene and Allantoin will help reduce the redness and swelling.

Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deidra_Garcia