Say goodbye to bumps, blotches and ingrown hairs with these 3 tips
Whether you are hitting the beach, cottage, waterpark or just hanging around with family and friends, smooth, blotch-free skin is the goal. And while razors are the seemingly easiest, cheapest, and least painful option of hair removal, they are also the worst culprit for leaving bumps, blotches and ingrown hairs. But that is likely because you aren’t following these cardinal rules of shaving.
1. Razor Blades
Razor blades should only be used up to five times before being tossed, but many of us try and stretch it out a little bit longer or simply forget how much they have actually been used. Inspect the blades before each use and if they have dulled, have any build-up on them or rust, toss it. Dull, bacteria-ridden blades lead to the red blotchy look of razor burn. You also won’t get a very smooth shave.
Another point to consider is how you store your razor. Many of us leave them in the shower for convenience, however, the heat and humidity in the shower accelerate bacteria growth and rusting. Instead, keep razors in the cabinet and bring them in and out of the shower with you.
2. Exfoliating
Not only does exfoliating get rid of dead skin cells, soften skin, and lift ingrown hairs out of the skin, it also provides you with a closer shave and allows moisturizer and other skin care products to properly penetrate the skin so they can work their magic.
There are many exfoliating products on the market but we recommend making your own. Add brown sugar or baking soda a little bit at a time to a ½ cup of Nature’s Aid skin gel. You want a gritty but not sharp texture. Massage this over your skin in the shower then rinse off. Exfoliating once a week will make a huge difference in the appearance and feel of your skin.
3. Products
Small red bumps are often due to minor allergic reactions or are an irritation due to perfumed shaving products. Try switching to scent-free products or better yet, go natural!
Out of the shower, gently towel dry and apply Nature’s Aid skin gel over your body. This will help lock in moisture and provide many other benefits as well; it is soothing and hydrating, will help stop any bleeding and speed healing of cuts or nicks, can help alleviate razor burn and other irritations, and greatly reduces ingrown hairs.
Following these basic principles will leave you with a closer, smoother and longer-lasting shave.
