Should Women Shave Their Face? Here Is What You Need To Know About Shaving Your Face
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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We women are always on a neverending quest for smooth facial skin. In recent times, shaving has definitely become the fastest and easiest way to get rid of peach fuzz and get smoother skin.
But, is it okay to shave your face? Is it safe? Won’t it make the hair grow back thicker? Scroll down to find out the answers to all these questions.
In This Article
Is It Okay For Women To Shave Their Face?
Shaving your arms, legs, armpits, and pubic hair is quite common practice. But most women still think twice before shaving their face and opt for waxing instead. Why? Well, there are a few different reasons.
Most of us grew up with the notion that shaving will make the hair grow back coarser and thicker.
Let us clear something up – shaving will not make your facial hair grow back faster, coarser, or darker. That’s a myth!
Shaving has no effect on the number of hair follicles in your skin or their growth rate. Even Huda Kattan, beauty blogger and founder of Huda Beauty, swears by facial shaving. (You can check out her YouTube video that has over 4 million views).
Hence, there is no harm in shaving your face. But if you are still not convinced, listed below are a few more reasons that can change your mind.
Facial Shaving: Reasons You Should Go For It
1. It Is Good For Your Skin
Shaving removes not only the baby hair on your skin but also the excess debris and dead skin cells. That is why shaved facial skin looks brighter and lighter.
2. It Promotes Better Absorption Of Products
By clearing the dead skin cells and debris from your face, shaving also unclogs your skin pores. This allows your skin to absorb more of your skin care products. Whenever you shave your face, slather it with vitamin E oil, aloe vera, or any other skin care product with active ingredients and antioxidants for better results.
3. Makeup Application Becomes A Breeze
You will love how smoothly foundation glides on your shaved face. This is also the secret behind the flawless makeup looks sported by beauty bloggers. When you shave your face, you create a smoother canvas for your foundation, concealer, and other makeup products. Makeup also sticks better to your skin and looks more flawless.
4. It Is Simple And Easy
Shaving is simpler than plucking individual hairs with a thread or tweezers. It is also not painful like waxing. You can do it quickly in the comfort of your home, and it is cheap as well.
If you think you are ready to take the plunge, check out the next section to find out how to shave your face properly.
How To Shave Your Face The Right Way
You may have watched your father/brother/partner shave and think that you know how to do it. However, men have coarser skin and hair compared to women. Women do not have thick and dense facial hair like men. Therefore, you need to prep your delicate skin before you start shaving. Here are a few helpful tips:
1. Cleanse Your Face
Cleansing your face thoroughly helps you get rid of any dirt and impurities on your skin. This ensures a smooth and comfortable shaving experience. Use a gentle cleanser and warm water to cleanse and wash your face. Pat it dry.
2. Apply Shaving Cream Or Gel
It is important to create an extra layer of protection between the razor and your skin. Shaving cream or gel helps the razor glide smoothly over your face. This also saves your skin from nicks and cuts. Moreover, it keeps your skin hydrated and reduces irritation. You can also use soap instead of shaving cream or gel. Use oil if you have sensitive skin.
3. Shave
Use a sharp razor for shaving and avoid razors with 4-5 blades. Stick to a razor that is specifically designed for the face. You may use single blade razors designed for facial hair. You can also try using men’s razors as they are designed for the face and extremely sharp because they are designed to cut through tough hair. This means they will reduce your chances of developing ingrown hair. Shave in the direction of your hair growth and in short and steady strokes. Use gentle pressure.
4. Moisturize
Once you are done, cleanse your face and apply facial oil or moisturizer. Make sure the product you use is alcohol-free. Wait for some time before you apply any skin care product or makeup.
How often you shave depends on how fast your hair grows. Some people prefer shaving weekly, while others are fine with shaving just once a month.
Now that you know how to shave your face properly, here are a few points you should remember to avoid nicks and cuts.
Shaving Facial Hair: Tips To Remember
1. Do Not Shave If You Have Active Breakouts
Shaving your skin when you have acne or any open wound will only worsen the condition. It may even cause serious infection. Thus, avoid shaving when you have pimples on your face.
2. Always Sanitize Your Razor
Do not forget to sanitize your razor before every use. Dip it in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes before you shave. This reduces the chances of bacterial infection.
3. Never Use Body Razors On Your Face
It is better to not use the same razor on your face that you use for shaving your arms, legs, pubic hair, and armpits. It not only increases your risk of cuts, inflammation, and infection but may also cause scarring and ingrown hair.
4. Never Shave In The Opposite Direction Of The Hair Growth
This causes friction and may lead to microdamage on your skin. It also increases the risk of ingrown hair and irritation.
Many women don’t even need to shave their entire face. Most of the time, thick hair growth is concentrated on the upper lip and cheek area. Do not unnecessarily shave areas of your face where it is not needed. Also, avoid exfoliating your face right before and after shaving as it makes your skin more sensitive.
We know that the skeptic in you is still trying to convince you to stay away from shaving. But trust us, shaving your face is better than painful waxing. Have you tried shaving your facial hair? If yes, share your experience and opinions with us in the comments section below.
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