The Ultimate Guide to Shaving Sensitive Skin
There are two reasons you might be experiencing irritation: either you’ve got to work on your shaving technique, or you’re one of the many men who have sensitive skin.
Find out where you’re going wrong now to save yourself from annoying shaving rash and razor bumps in the future.
If you experience shaving rash or nicks and cuts when shaving, read on to see tips for shaving sensitive skin, and start enjoying a smoother, more comfortable shave.
Use a face wash or facial scrub to help soften facial hair before you shave. You also should hydrate skin with warm water for at least three minutes to further soften your facial hair and make it easier to cut.
How to Know if You Have Sensitive Skin
- Redness
- Tightness
- Dry skin
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Soreness
- Inflamed patches
- Burning or stinging
- Bleeding
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Reactions to skincare products
Certain skincare or laundry products can make it worse, causing skin to get itchy, red, or break out in a rash.
It’s important to always use the right products for your skin, and to make sure your everyday habits like shaving aren’t adding to the problem.
Can You Get Rid of Sensitive Skin?
While it will never completely go away, sensitive skin can be managed with tips like always using a moisturizer after you shave. Keep your skin out of the sun when you can and use a high SPF on your face and other parts of your body, even in the winter.
How to Shave with Sensitive Skin
Keep Your Face Hydrated
It’s so much easier to shave skin that’s just been washed, so it’s always a good idea to shave right after your shower.
Properly prepare your skin
Use a nondrying, dermatologist-tested shave gel, to soften hair and help defend your skin against nicks and cuts. Also, use an advanced multiblade razor that has blades spaced closer together, such as Gillette ProGlide Razor with Flexball™ Technology, to help reduce pressure on each blade for more comfort and less irritation.
Start with the right tools
Dull blades can lead to nicks and cuts. Change your blade when you experience tugging or discomfort. Or try a razor that features an indicator strip that will fade to white when you might no longer be getting an optimal shave.
Check your blades
Shave with light, gentle strokes. Your razor should do the work, not you. Start shaving with the grain (in the direction of hair growth). Then, if necessary, go against the grain for an even closer shave.
Get Shaving
Shave with the grain (that’s in the same direction that your hair grows in) and use careful, downwards strokes. Go easy on your skin to avoid cutting yourself; it should be your razor doing most of the work, not your hand.
Also, shave your upper lip last. The hair here grows quicker and is often thicker and coarser than the rest. Letting it soak up the shaving gel will make it easier to shave.
Rinse Regularly
Rinse your blade after every few strokes to get rid of any shaving cream that’s building up. This can also help to keep your skin hydrated every time you shave with your razor, giving you a super smooth glide.
Never tap your blade on the side of the sink or any other surface, as this can damage your razor.
Get a Post-Shave Routine Going
After you’ve made your last stroke, rinse your face with warm water, pat it dry, then apply a moisturizer. Try to do this every time you shave.
If you skip any of these steps, you may be more likely to get razor burn or razor bumps, especially if your facial hair is curly.
Find the Right Razor for Sensitive Skin
The Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive is the first razor designed specifically for men with sensitive skin. It’s different from other razors, including a SkinGuard bar that smooths and flattens the skin as you shave. Plus, the SkinGuard razor has only two blades to help reduce tug and pull, and the incidence of razor bumps by 61%*.
