A necessary evil for most men, shaving can quickly turn from an annoying daily chore to a painful experience if done incorrectly. Pain from shaving occurs for many reasons, including improper preparation, using a dull blade or not properly moisturizing your newly shaven face. Instead of suffering through the pain, irritation and red bumps that occur from improper shaving, prep and use the proper materials to ensure your morning shave remains a painless experience.
Work an exfoliating scrub into your face using overlapping circles before rinsing it away with the lukewarm water. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Exfoliating helps remove dirt, oils and debris from your pores. Washing helps soften your skin, which causes less irritation during shaving.
Cover your neck, cheeks and chin with a thin layer of pre-shave oil. The oil helps soften the skin even further to prevent irritation. Allow the oil to dry for 10 to 20 seconds before continuing.
Cover your neck, cheeks and chin with a thin layer of moisturizing shaving cream or gel. If your skin is sensitive, choose an unscented product. Moisten a disposable razor under a lukewarm tap before beginning to shave your face in the direction of your hair's growth.
Rinse off the razor after each pass over your face as you continue to shave. Once you're finished shaving your face, remove any remaining shaving gel or cream with lukewarm water. Examine your face and if you notice any missed spots, dampen the area with lukewarm water, apply a thin layer of shaving cream or gel before running a damp razor over it in the direction of the hair's growth.
Splash your face a final time with lukewarm water before patting it dry with a soft cloth. Avoid vigorously rubbing your face, which will irritate your freshly shaven skin. Apply a thin layer of aftershave or a moisturizing facial lotion, depending on your preference.
Tip
Choose an aftershave lotion that contains an SPF of at least 10 to 15.
If irritation still occurs, consider shaving in the shower. The constant exposure to water and humidity keeps your skin soft and supple, which helps prevent irritation.
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Writer Bio
Residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing since 2009. Specializing in pop culture, film and television, her work appears on Star Reviews and various other websites. Zinski is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in history at the University of Wisconsin.