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

Hair Removal: Shaving and Depilatories

By Michael Russell

Hair removal is considered by most people as a "cosmetic" issue. But aside from common belief, hair removal can often come as a medical requirement for cases like general surgery, skin graft procedures, ingrown hairs, especially eyelashes and a variety of other conditions. More often than not, changes in the patterns of hair growth are symptoms of serious conditions like glucose intolerance or hormonal imbalances.

Most cultures have an ideal amount of hair for males and females. Usually, hair that exceeds this 'aesthetic standard' causes problems, whether perceived or real, with a person's acceptance by society. Therefore, controlling the growth or removing the unwanted hair goes further than being a simple "cosmetic" issue.

Methods Of Hair Removal - Temporary Methods
Hair can be removed through either depilation, which is the removal of part of the hair above the skin's surface, or by epilating, which is the removal of the whole hair. For many clients, using these temporary methods at regular intervals is adequate.

Shaving - This method is the most preferred way for removing hair. This is because it is very affordable, easy, fast, painless and has minimal side effects. Shaving is very safe and can be done at home or almost anywhere. The downside is that it doesn't last for long. In shaving, a sharpened metal blade or razor cuts off the hair at the skin's surface. The effects of shaving are very short-term, ranging from a few hours to several days. People with darkly pigmented hairs may have a visible "shadow" of dark hair under their skin. This often requires daily removal. Shaving can also result in skin irritation and cuts. For a few, it is known to cause ingrown hairs especially in the bikini area of women and facial hairs of African-American men. Also, shaving blades require regular replacement. A good shave also needs other products such as shaving creams, gels and before and after-shave products. Blades also differ. There are blades with non-disposable handles that use replaceable blade cartridges. There are also disposable razors designed to be thrown out after a number of uses or when the blade gets dull. A safety razor is a double-bladed razor intended to reduce the possibility of nicks or cuts. The myth that shaving makes the hair grow thicker or faster has been busted in 1928 yet continues to persist until today.

Cream depilatory - Another way of removing hair is by using cream depilatories. This method is quite common but not as popular as shaving. This is because a number of its consumers say that it can cause mild to serious skin irritation and even chemical burns. With this method, the cream contains a chemical that is designed to dissolve the hair it comes in contact with. Cream depilatories are inexpensive and fast. They are often painless, although some may result in a mild tingling or burning sensation. Depilation can be done at home or anywhere. Its disadvantages are like those of shaving. The effects are short term, ranging from a few hours to several days and can also result in the dark 'shadow' of hair under the skin. The procedure often requires repetition every couple of days or so. These products also cause cuts and irritations and which can be severe if mistakenly applied on the eye area or other mucous membranes.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hair Removal
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Shaving Tips: Getting A Clean Shave

By C Mueller

Through trial and error, my shaving tips are ones I've tended to find out over time based on personal experience.
Personally, I've found that I get the best overall results shaving my face with an electric shaver with a built-in lotion dispenser. I got this new lotion-dispensing shaver in 2005 and in my opinion, it's a great product. With my new shaver, I cut myself very infrequently, I get no skin irritation and get a close shave. I don't plan on going back to a manual razor to shave my face anytime soon.

I also shave my head and prefer to stick with a manual razor. I find a manual razor is quicker to use in this case. I use a good quality razor with disposable shaving cartridges. Again, I cut myself very infrequently although I think that my use of a good quality razor goes a long way to accomplish this. I learned the hard way that using a cheap disposable razor didn't work on my skin.

Here are some general shaving tips that work for me:
1. Find a good shaving device – whether it's a manual razor or electric shaver – that gives you the results you are looking for. If you cut frequently with a manual razor, you might consider an electric shaver like the one I use since they tend to produce fewer cuts.
2. Replace disposable razor blades before they wear out. Dull blades tend to cause skin irritation, poor shaving results and cuts especially if you find yourself pressing down too hard on the razor to compensate for the dulled blade.
3. Before you start shaving, ensure your face is moist (i.e. with water) and use a good quality shaving cream or gel.
4. Avoid shaving against the grain. In other words shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shaving in the opposite direction of the hair growth can irritate skin and cause ingrown hairs.
5. Try using a face moisturizer after shaving to help protect your skin. I've found that it's preferable to using aftershave.

You'll also find that you get better shaving results when you don't shave immediately after waking up. You tend to get better results by getting up and waiting perhaps 20 minutes – perhaps after you've showered – before shaving to allow your skin to flush out fluids that built up overnight.

With experience, you'll most likely find out what works best for you and more specifically, what your skin prefers.
Temporary and permanent hair removal technology is evolving constantly and is relevant to both men and women who want to remove unwanted hair.
For more information on hair removal options, visit http://www.PermanentHairRemovalTips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C_Mueller

How to Prevent Shaving Rash

By Francisco Lakay

Razor bumps, ingrown hair and shaving irritation are generally the effect of pulling the skin too tight during shaving and thereby cutting the hair too short. Some useful ways to prevent shaving rash include the following: (1) do not pull your skin tight during shaving, (2) shave in the direction of your hair growth, (3) avoid too close a shave, and (4) consider growing a designer stubble to avoid regular shaves. If you do notice infection, stop shaving and apply a mild antiseptic that contains tea tree oil as one of its active ingredients. Get yourself a good exfoliant to remove dead cells and debris from your skin. Vitamin A related products such as Retin A also help to exfoliate the skin and surrounding hair follicle area.

It is also always a good idea to soften your beard by taking a shower before shaving, putting a hot towel against your face, or the application of a moisturizer to your facial hair. Mostly the problems associated with shaving rash is due to a bad shaving technique, or using razor blades for too long periods, as well as a lack of sufficient personal hygiene. It is better to rather use a single bladed razor, instead of the twin blade or more variants that gives you a too close shave.
Shaving rash associated skin ailments should not limit your chances of a preferential and regular clean shave, but should definitely be minimized by taking the necessary precautions to avoid it.

More free information is available on Shaving Rash and will aid you in the process of securing a trouble-free shave with clear, smooth skin.
Would you like to have clear, smooth skin? No ingrown hairs and razor burn to spoil your shaving experience.

Francisco M. Lakay is the author of the site Shaving Rash that gives you insight into minimizing and avoiding shaving rash altogether.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Lakay

Razor Burn: Avoiding Skin Irritation When Shaving

By C Mueller

Razor burn is a skin irritation that can occur when you shave with a razor. It usually disappears after several hours but might remain for several days depending on how sensitive your skin is and can reoccur if you keep irritating your skin with repeated shaving.
I've found that when shaving with a razor – or even with my electric shaver – my skin thanks me when I take a few precautions before starting to shave.

Here is how I minimize razor burn:
1. I shave after having a shower so that my skin gets moist from the shower steam before feeling the effects of the razor.
2. I wait about 20 minutes after getting up before I shave to allow body fluids that have welled in my face during the night to disperse. Also, I shave after exercising rather than before so that my sweat doesn't irritate my skin.
3. I don’t use dull, worn razors. I use new, sharp razor blades and discard them before they get blunt. With regards to my electric shaver, I clean the blades regularly to keep them free of shavings.
4. I wet my skin and then lather my skin with a good quality shaving cream or gel and let it sit on my skin for a few minutes before shaving.
5. I use short strokes when shaving rather than using long strokes to avoid pressing down too hard on my skin. I don't use aftershave following each shave, instead opting for a men's skin moisturizer which I find quite useful especially during the cold winter months.

Even when using my electric shaver, I've sometimes found in the past that I get minor razor burn especially on my neck if my skin is a bit dry. Having said that, I got a new electric shaver with a built-in shaving gel dispenser and it has totally eliminated any skin irritation.
When I start shaving, I simply press the gel dispenser button every so often and it squirts the gel onto my skin and helps to make my shaver glide across my skin easily. I buy replacement gel dispensers every few months when they run out.

If you experience razor burn frequently, you might need to change a few of the things you do before and after you shave.
You might also look to make a change or two with regards to the type of shaving device you use (ie. an electric shaver might help you) or perhaps start using a shaving cream for sensitive skin.
Temporary and permanent hair removal technology is evolving constantly and is relevant to both men and women who want to remove unwanted hair.
For more information on hair removal options, visit http://www.PermanentHairRemovalTips.com

Shaving - How To Make It Easy

By Mike Jones

Shaving is a unique experience. Why? Because each individual is different when it comes to:
*skin sensitivity
*rate of hair growth
*texture of hair

So shaving tools and accessories that work for one may not work as well for another. Hence the need for experimentation and practice to get the ideal shaving results.
The list of tips below will aid in the shaving experiment and development process until you find the best methods for optimum results:
Avoid shaving when first getting up after sleep as body fluids make the skin puffy making it more difficult to shave the hair. After 20 or 30 minutes the skin becomes more taut so the hair shaft is more exposed making it easier.
Don't stay in the bath too long before shaving. The skin will shrivel after eight minutes or so making it difficult to get a smooth, close shave.
Use preshave products such as soaps, lathers, creams and gels. They lock moisture into the hair, they help keep the hair erect and they reduce friction allowing the blade to glide easily over the skin.
Alternatively, use a shaving oil which helps you get a close shave and gives some protection to the skin as the blade glides over the surface. Often you do not need to use any other shaving accessory once you find a shaving oil that suits you.

Hair conditioner can also be used to soften hair.
The more repeat strokes over an area of skin the greater risk of irritation.
To remove stray hairs which are not removed after one or two passes with the razor, use a pop-up trimmer.
Never share your razor or shaver with anyone else to avoid skin infections.
Running the fingertips over the shaved area is a very effective method of ensuring a close thorough shave. The sense of touch will alert you to stubble and missed patches it may be difficult to see in the mirror.
Always wet the hair first for at least 3 minutes. Hair absorbs water which makes it stand up making it easier when shaving.
Wet hair also reduces wear on the blade. Shaving after taking a shower is an ideal time.
For a close shave with minimal irritation, try and use an angle of approximately 30 degrees between the blade and the skin.

To lessen the risk of razor burn and extend the life of the blade, allow shaving cream to sit on the skin for 4 minutes before shaving.
Thick shaving cream or foam offers the best protection against irritation and cuts.
Use a sharp new blade. If you need to use pressure on the blade it is time to change it. Using a blunt blade can increase the danger of ingrown hair.
Splash the skin with cold water after shaving to help stop any bleeding from small nicks and also remove any traces of soap or lather.
When shaving the leg area use long strokes going against the grain avoiding repeat strokes. Great care needs to be exercised especially around bony areas such as the ankle or knee.
Hair under the arm grows in all directions so a side to side stroke as well as up and down strokes may be necessary to catch all the hairs.

Do not apply deodorants or anti-perspirants right after shaving as this can cause acute irritation and soreness.
For the bikini line, shave in the direction of the hair and avoid repeating the strokes to minimize irritation in this very sensitive area.

In conclusion: Shaving is one of the most common methods of hair removal the world over. It is inexpensive, quick, and conveniently done at home. The negative factors are that it needs to be done frequently and the skin can suffer unless precautions are taken.
Using the guidelines above will minimize the irritation and help you get a close shave that keeps unwanted body hair at bay!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Jones

Best Solutions to Control and Eliminate Your Hair Bumps

By Monica Jaworski

Shaving can be a great experience, who doesn’t like a clean face, even bikini line, or perfect tape up? However, for many individuals, specifically those of African American and African-Caribbean descent, shaving is a dreaded experience because it often leads to the development of razor bumps. Razor bumps come in a variety of forms, from red, to white, brown, or yellow, yet the pain of them is the same for everyone. Razor, bikini, or neck bumps should not be ignored. They are your body’s inflammatory response to bacteria growth or infection. But, if you are growing to manage them, you have to be relentless.

How to Eliminate Your Razor Bumps Fast- Step #1: Cleanse Your Skin Before and After Shaving: Yes, many of us wait until the last few minutes to shave or get a hair cut, having to rush out the door quickly. But, this has harsh consequences; specifically it breeds a ground for bacterial cultivation and skin inflammation.

How to Eliminate Your Hair Bumps Fast- Step #2: Wash your targeted area before shaving with an all natural anti-bacterial cleanser. This will open the hair follicles and remove trapped dirt, bacteria, oils, and debris. An all natural cleanser is best, as many hair bump solutions can irritate or precipitate hair bumps more due to their inclusion of proven skin irritants, such Propylene Glycol and Parabens. The best all natural hair bump eliminating product on the market is Beauty 4 Ashes HBD Hair Bump Destroying System. It contains a hair bump destroying solution and hair bump eliminating cleanser. Beauty 4 Ashes HBD Hair Bump Destroying System, includes a great anti-bacteria bump wash that is made from tea tree, Aloe Vera, Coconut, and so many other natural hair bump destroying ingredients that I cannot list them all. For best results you should use their tea tree wash before you shave to gently lift bacteria away from your face and to prepare the skin for shaving. You can find it at wwwdiscoverb4acom.

How to Eliminate Your Ingrown Hairs Fast- Step #3: Use Proper Shaving Techniques: Many people develop razor bumps or ingrown hairs because the shave their heads or body against their hair’s natural growth pattern. This causes the hair, when growing back in, to grow improperly, creating a clogged hair follicle. Always shave in the direction your hair grows.

How to Eliminate Your Bikini Bumps and Hair Bumps Fast- Step #4: Shave with Clean Utensils: You must use clean hair care utensils, not only when you shave, but also when you style and groom your hair. Wash you hair combs, picks, and brushes at least three times a week. Wipe them in alcohol. Do this also to your shaving utensils before and after shaving.

How to Eliminate Your Razor Bumps Fast- Step #5: Make sure your barber uses clean barbering clippers: Ask your barber before he cuts your hair to clean his or her clippers with Barbicide. Most stylists should not squirm about doing this. If they do, I would not go to their establishment. Unfortunately, unsanitary barber clippers contribute to more than 75% of African American males’ encounters with neck, razor, and hair bumps. Your “tight tape up” is not worth the life long headache of controlling barber rash or ingrown hairs.

How to Eliminate Your Hair Bumps Fast- Step #6: Apply a hair bump eliminating lotion or serum DAILY, at minimum three times a day. If you have hair bumps, you must consistently apply a hair bump solution to keep them at bay. Apply it as much as necessary so that you don’t give bacteria any time to grow or give bumps any chances to appear. Depending on your severity of your bumps, it may take awhile for your bumps to become manageable, but consistency is key. Look for all natural hair bump solutions. While there are several hair bump solutions on the market that make the skin “tingle” or cause dead skin to shed, most of these products contain alcohol, synthetic preservatives, and toxic agents that are FDA recognized skin irritants, known to aggravate hair bumps. Good all natural hair bump products are best to fight your hair bumps, as they can help the skin naturally learn to build immunity to bacteria that cause hair bumps. Good all natural products will contain at minimum Tea Tree, White Willow Bark (the natural form of salicylic acid), Neem, and some form of Aloe Vera. Make sure the product contains essential oils, not just extracts. Extracts are not as powerful as essential oils. Essential oils actually have the capability to eat away bacteria, regulate sebum production, and remove dead skin cells. Again, I recommend using Beauty 4 Ashes HBD hair bump destroying system, because it contains everything that I listed above and more.wwwdiscoverb4acom.

How to Eliminate Your Hair Bumps Fast- Step #7: Cleanse your scalp using an all natural shampoo if you have neck hair bumps. Unfortunately, many of your existing personal care products may only aggravate your neck bumps, especially shampoos containing sulfates, parabens, and alcohols. Try to make your own natural shampoo. Here’s a recipe. Take 1 cup of brewed Chamomile Tea and mix it with ¼ cup of Lemon Juice, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and borax, a natural soap detergent. No, this shampoo will not suds, but it will effectively help your bumps. You can also use Beauty 4 Ashes HBD Tea Tree Cleanser, which is apart of the system as hair bump destroying neck shampoo.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Jaworski

The Best Home Hair Removal Tips (Part 1)

By Tim Gorman

When you look around, it's easy to spend thousands of dollars to have unwanted hair removed by professionals. If you've got hair where you wish it wasn't, don't despair! Nowadays there are lots of hair removal procedures you can use at home, and they're relatively inexpensive. This two part series will tell you about the most common ones.

Shaving Tips for Men
If you're looking for a smoother shave, try shaving in the shower. This softens up the beard and makes a smoother shave easier. If you like to use creams or gels, don't get carried away and use too much. They're more effective if you apply them correctly. Gently massage the shaving cream or lotion lightly onto your skin. This stimulates the little pilli muscles, which then lift the hairs up and so makes them easier to shave. Double or triple bladed shavers may sound fancy, but single blades usually give a better shave. And you can forget about shaving with a blunt razor, you're asking for trouble. Change the blade as soon it loses its sharpness. Look at the direction your hair grows, and shave in the same direction for the first couple of passes. Finally, reverse and shave against the grain for the final pass. Finish by rinsing your face with cool water, then pat, don't rub, your face dry with your towel. If you take the time to shave properly, you will generally only have to shave once a day, although for some men twice daily is still required.

Shaving Tips for Women
You might think that razors made specially for women are just a marketing ploy, but in fact they really are different. They're a more convenient shape, and the blade is at the right angle for underarms and legs. It's always helpful to run warm water on your underarms and legs first, then massage in your shaving cream or gel. There's no need to spend heaps buying expensive shaving lotions, hair conditioner is just as effective. Interestingly, it's best for women to shave at night, because that's when body fluids drain away a little and aren't tightly packed around the hair follicles. You should always be extremely careful shaving the bikini area, because the last thing you need is underwear chafing on a shaving rash. Contrary to the old wive's tale, shaving facial or moustache hair won't make it grow back even thicker. Frequency of shaving is your choice, but generally it's recommended that you shave underarms and legs twice a week, although you can adjust that depending on how fast the hair grows.

Tweezing Tips
It's very easy to be slack when using tweezers, and not think about hygiene. In fact, it's important to clean your tweezers in hot water before you use them, and preferably wipe them with alcohol. You can use tweezers to shape eyebrows and remove stray hairs on the chin and face. However, never use tweezers for nose hairs, because you could spread infections. Always pull the hair out in the same direction it's growing. To make it easier, place a hot face cloth over the area to be tweezed. This helps open the pores a little. Wait until afterwards to apply creams or moisturizes, otherwise you could end up with infected or blocked pores. Generally, tweezing is effective for about two weeks.

Depilatory Cream Tips
Some people have an allergic reaction to depilatory creams, so it's always good to check first. Place a small amount on the area you want to treat, follow the instructions on the label, then wait 24 hours. If everything looks okay, you can go ahead and do the whole area. Depilatory creams are most effective straight after a warm bath. This leaves the hair softened and the pores open. Always read the label instructions carefully before beginning, and it might be a good idea to have a timer handy so you don't leave the cream on too long. Don't use depilatory creams is you have cuts, a rash, acne blemishes or mosquito bites in the area you wish to treat. Mostly you can get by using a depilatory cream twice a month, although you can adjust the frequency to suit your own rate of hair regrowth.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Painless-Laser-Hair-Removal.info He provides more laser hair removal advice, solutions and information on home hair removal tips that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Prevent Ingrown Hairs When Shaving Or Waxing

By Mike Jones

Take the following precautions to prevent ingrown hair when using shaving or waxing as hair removal methods:

To prevent ingrown hair when shaving
Shave after the hair has been wet for at least 5 minutes. Hair that is wet and full of moisture can be cut easily. Hair that is not well saturated can be very strong and tough. As the razor passes over, the hair is pulled up from the follicle. After it is cut it retracts below the skin surface with the resultant risk of it growing into surrounding tissue.
Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Cutting with the grain not against it will prevent hair being cut too short.

Prevent ingrown hairs by avoiding repeat strokes over the same area. Repeated strokes can also result in hair being cut too short.
Shave with the skin in a relaxed condition. Do not stretch the skin too taught. A little pressure may be necessary but excessive stretching can again result in hair being cut too short.
Use Tea Tree Oil twice a day in conjunction with a loofah bath or shower. Tea Tree Oil has a bacterial ability to kill infection and prevent pustules forming. (Avoid the eye area)

To prevent ingrown hair when waxing
To pull out the hair cleanly without breaking it follow these recommendations: Apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of the hair growth, preferably holding the spatula or tongue depresser at a 45 degree angle as you spread the wax.
When applying the cotton strip over the wax, rub in the same direction as the hair growth leaving about 1/3 of the strip free to allow for a firm grip for a fast back pulling action.
Pull the skin taut before pulling the cotton strip away.

Pull back with a rapid movement close to the skin. Do not pull up or out, rather pull back.
One fast, smooth, pull back is much more effective than a series of light pulls which only increase the pain and leave patchy areas.
After 24-48 hours exfoliate the skin (with a Loofah sponge for example) to prevent the dead skin from accumulating in areas that can become ingrown such as the bikini line, upper thighs, underarms and calves.

Prevent ingrown hairs by not wearing tight clothing over freshly waxed areas to minimize the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hair can be unsightly, irritating, painful, and even present a danger of infection. It is wise to take the above precautions to minimize the risk. If you are fighting the problem, check the resources below:
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Jones

Shaving Tips For Men And Women

By Andrea Strachan
An important thing to consider is what type of razor or shaver, you need to get. The simple answer is to try and get a razor especially made for women. Unlike a man’s razor, they are designed with women in mind. The angle, at which the razor head is set, is designed for under arm or leg shaving.

Before shaving, run warm water on the area that you intend to shave. This will soften the hair making it easier to shave, resulting in a much smoother result. Also try and shave at night. It’s a little known fact that bodily fluids are less packed around the hair follicles at night.

There are several different types of shaving gels, lotions and creams that you can use. Rather than buy the most expensive product you would be just as well going for a standard gel or cream. It’s how you apply the shaving lotion that counts!

Gently massage the gel or lotion into the area to be shaved for a while. This stimulating action will help raise the hairs so that the razor can more easily cut the hair nearer the skins surface giving a much smoother shave.

Always try and keep a sharp clean blade in your razor. It is easy to let your blade become blunt because it is such a slow process and it is hard to notice. It is recommended to change the blade in your razor at least once every two weeks if you are shaving every day. A blunt razor blade will leave you with a very painful shave and a useless result.

Be extra careful when shaving your bikini area. Your underwear or bikini can chaff if you have left a shaving rash from not shaving properly.

If you want to shave your top lip due to facial hair, do not worry about it growing back thicker. This is an old wives tale. Hair grows a fairly uniform thickness whether it has been shaved or not.

Shave your underarms about twice a week depending how fast your hair grows back. Depending on the woman, legs may need doing only once a week; twice a week if the hair grows quickly.

Shaving Tips For Men

Using a Razor

The biggest tip I can give to a man about shaving with a razor, is to shave in or immediately after a shower. The reason for this is that hair becomes softened after prolonged exposure to warm water. This means the razor will give you a much closer, smoother (pain free) shave.

Shaving Gels

With so many shaving gels and creams around, it is easy to lose sight of what theses shaving creams and gels are for! Rather than worry about which ones have vitamins or supposed protecting qualities, pay more attention to how you apply the shaving gel. Most men just slap it on but if you gently massage the gel into the face, the massaging action will cause the pilli muscles to lift the hairs making a cleaner cut much easier.

The Shaving Process

Try and start your shave in the direction of the hair on the face, paying attention to where the hair goes around the chin and neck. When you have covered these areas over one or two passes, gently shave against the hair for one last pass. If you develop a spotty rash or have redness, skip the reverse pass next time you shave. You will not achieve such a close shave but at least you will not be left with unsightly soreness.

More Tips

Although you may have seen the adverts for multi bladed razors, studies have shown that these do not significantly improve the shaving effectiveness. Single blades can give just as good a shave as long as it is done properly.

Most men will use a razor blade until it is totally blunt! There are two reasons for changing your blade more frequently. The obvious reason is that you will get a better shave. The less obvious reason is that as the blade gets more and more blunt, you will develop a much more heavy handed approach. The time finally comes for you to change the blade and Bingo! You are cutting yourself to ribbons. Keep your blades nice and sharp for a smoother shave and much less cuts and scrapes.

After a shave, always rinse your face with cold water. This facilitates the closing of your skin pores. Always pat your face down with a towel; do not rub as this may rub bacteria into the open skin pores leaving you with spots etc.

Andrea Strachan has been in the beauty business for over 25 years. For more beauty tips, permanent hair removal tips, help and advice visit http://www.permanent-hair-removal-tips.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Strachan