Shaving isn’t exactly an activity that we look forward to doing, but it is something worth doing well. If you’re not the type who’s into potentially painful alternatives, like waxing, sugaring, or laser hair removal, shaving is a relatively easy way to keep unwanted body hair at bay and get that smooth effect that we all love. In this article, we talk about some useful shaving tips to improve your technique next time you’re in the shower.

General Shaving Techniques

We guess, you’ve already figured out what kind of razor to get, depending on your skin type or needs. But how do you get a perfectly smooth shave without nicks or irritation? Even if you think that you know exactly how to shave because you’ve been shaving since you were a teen, it never hurts to get a refresher course. Make sure you check out these shaving tips.

Exfoliate
Never shave over skin that hasn’t been exfoliated. Whether you’re shaving your legs, bikini area, or underarms, it’s essential to slough off dead skin before you start. Exfoliating ensures that you’re working with the smoothest surface possible. And that translates to fewer nicks and irritation.
Never Use a Dull Razor
Unless you enjoy nicks and irritation, a dull razor should never be part of your shaving kit. When your razor is dull, it creates more drag on your skin.
Avoid Dry Shaving
No matter how pressed for time you might be, never attempt to shave without using some barriers like a shaving gel, soap, or cream. Dry shaving or only shaving on wet skin with no barrier is a perfect recipe for irritation and increases your risk of nicks. Plus, shaving on dry skin or hair can wear out your blades faster.
Shave Last
As tempting as it might be to shave as soon as you hop in the shower, don’t. Instead, shave after you’ve finished cleansing your body, washing your hair, and doing whatever else you needed to do. At this point, your skin will be softer and more pliable and that means you’re less likely to cut yourself.
Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Even if your shaving gel is moisturizing, you still need to follow up with a hydrating lotion or body oil after you get out of the shower. Dry skin is more prone to irritation. If you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a moisturizer designed to give you an added boost of hydration.

How to Shave Your Legs

Soak your legs in warm water and apply shave gel lathering evenly.
Go against the direction of hair growth and shave from ankle to hip rather than in the opposite direction. This will help reduce friction and the risk of ingrown hairs or irritation.
Shave in long, steady strokes and avoid pressing deeply into your skin. Don’t rush through the process as that can lead to accidents!
To shave your knees, bend your legs for an easier shave, and then straighten them to shave behind.

How to Shave Your Underarms

Just like with any other area on your body, always wash your underarms before beginning.
As always, start by soaking your skin and applying shaving gel.
Unlike other areas of your body, underarm hair grows in all directions. So, you’ll need to shave in all directions to fully shave the area.
After shaving, don’t immediately apply deodorant or antiperspirant. Instead, give your skin time to dry and rest to avoid irritation.

How to Shave Your Bikini Line

Depending on the length of your pubic hair, you may need to trim first before you begin shaving. This will help to make the process more effective and prevent clogging up your blades with excess hair.
Either use a bikini trimmer or scissors, but this is a critical step before you begin with a traditional razor.
While you should always start by shaving in the direction of your hair growth, you can also shave against the grain if you’re having trouble getting rid of pubic hair. But always shave carefully to avoid nicks.
Since the skin in the bikini line is the most sensitive, try to keep your razor strokes to a minimum to avoid irritation.

Useful Shaving Tips for Women

It never hurts to have a few extra tips to make sure you nail that perfect shave next time that you hop in the shower. Perfect your shaving technique by following these recommendations.

Don’t be stingy with the shaving gel. You want to make sure that the area you’re shaving is properly moisturized to minimize the risk of irritation or nicks. If you’re concerned about running out of shaving gel or cream, upgrade to a razor with a built-in shaving gel and moisture strips.
Consider shaving at night. It might not seem like something that needs to be done at night, but there’s evidence that nighttime shaving can yield better results. According to experts, your legs swell a bit when you sleep and that means that hair retreats further into your follicles, for a shave that can last longer.
Ditch the single-blade disposable razor. Like we mentioned earlier, more blades equals a better, closer shave. If you find that irritation is a common issue when you shave, and you use single-blade disposable razors, it’s time to upgrade to a multi-blade razor.
Bar soap is not the same as shaving cream. Bar soaps can be drying. And considering that shaving can already introduce irritation to your skin, this is not a winning combination. At a minimum, use shaving creams and gels or upgrade your razor to one with a built-in shaving gel or moisturizing strips.
Replace your blades regularly. Ideally, you should be replacing your cartridge (or razor if the cartridge isn’t replaceable) every two weeks if you shave every week. If you’re not getting the best shave and constantly have hairs left behind or irritated skin, it’s time to replace the cartridge or entire razor.
Don’t over-shave. We know that people like to be hairless. But shaving daily – especially when there’re no visible hairs – can lead to irritation. Experts recommend that you should have at least one day’s worth of new growth or stubble before you shave the area in question.
Always store your razors in a dry place, away from the heat and steam of your shower, which can lead to razor rust and fungal infection.
After each shave, thoroughly wash your razors, flushing the back of the head too, which is where tiny hairs get clogged.