Does Shaving Cause Acne?
Naked Armor
Did you know that about 85 percent of the world’s population is affected by acne?
Published by Naked Armor
Like many other kids, I used to admire shaving whenever I saw older people doing so.
However, everything changed when my time came.
I regretted my first moment.
The pimples and the dry skin that came with the weekly shaves were too embarrassing and upsetting. I was stuck thinking about whether to continue with the shaving or put a stop to it.
We all dream for that clean look, and shaving the facial hair is one way to achieve it. Therefore, my only option was to seek ways to counterattack the shortcomings and not make peace with them.
Does shaving cause acne? And if so, is there anything one can do about it?
These are the two questions that most people ask. Therefore, without saying much, I will continue and answer them.
Does Shaving Cause Acne?
Acne is a disease that afflicts many people around the world, especially at puberty. And to answer your big question, my answer is yes.
Shaving triggers acne or what experts categorize as acne-related pimples. Especially, when one has an extra-sensitive skin, the pimples are likely to show up after a good shave.
Therefore, finding ways to prevent it is the best thing one can do to ensure that acne doesn’t become a persistent issue. However, don’t confuse between acne and razor bumps.
A lot of people use the terms interchangeably. But, the two words are entirely different.
While pimples are caused by bacteria that clog the skin pore, razor bumps are caused by ingrown hair or prickly hair.
However, understanding how to prevent razor bumps is a big step towards fighting acne because razor bumps can also trigger acne in the long run.
1. Take Sanitary Measures
Taking the proper sanitary measure is one way to help in preventing acne. It may sound obvious, but its a common thing to overlook. Therefore, ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly before proceeding to the face.
This routine kills the bacteria on your hands that would otherwise end up in the face. Also, get used to washing your face regularly, at least twice a day or any time you get sweaty as this helps wash away the bacteria.
2. Use A Toner
By now, you understand that acne is caused by blocked pores. Therefore, it can only be cleared by cleaning out the dirt.
Applying a toner is one way to unclog the pores. The toner opens the pores and extracts all the dirt and grime that may trigger the condition.
3. Exfoliate Lightly
Getting rid of the dead skin cells on the face eliminates the chance of bacteria transfer and thus prevents the acne from occurring in the first place.
Therefore, it is important to exfoliate your face at least once a day, or before a shave using a gentle face scrub or a wet cloth soaked with beard oil.
4. Hot Towel Treatment
A moist and warm towel treatment is important before a shave. It helps in moisturizing the skin while opening up the pores and hence preventing acne.
5. Splash Warm Water On Your Face
Don't use cold water when shaving because it irritates and causes acne in the end. Therefore, it is advisable to splash warm water on your face before the shave because it helps in opening up the pores and soften the skin.
Besides, the warm water makes it easy to shave while eliminating the irritation that may result.
6. Use A Pre-shave Oil
You might wonder why we have to use a pre-shave oil when oil clogs the pores and causes acne.
The answer is that not all the oils cause acne. With the right pre-shave oil, you’re sure to keep your skin soft and ready for the shave. Besides, some of these oils actually fight bacteria which causes acne.
1. Get The Right Shaving Cream
Applying the wrong shaving cream or gel is one of the major causes of acne. Therefore, it is advisable to use a gentle and non-irritating cream that will give you a thin layer of protection for better results.
Also, avoid using your hand to apply the cream. Instead, use a shaving brush. The brush exfoliates the skin while providing a rich lather. Besides, it prevents the spread of bacteria that happens when one uses the hands.
2. Shave Lightly
We all know that applying too much pressure during the shave is one of the few ways that can trigger acne. Therefore, unless you want to have more acne, it is essential to apply little or no pressure at all during the shave.
3. Don’t Rush The Shave
I always discourage last minute shaves. After all, shaving is not a race and should never be rushed. You should take the time to carry out this vital task.
As a result, you'll be able to protect yourself from careless cuts, and irritation which may lead to acne in the long run.
Shaving is one of the few activities that accelerate the condition (acne). However, understanding how to go about with the activity can help a lot in preventing the acne from occurring in the first place.
— D'Rock, Naked Armor Founder
4. Rinse The Razor After Each Stroke
I understand this sounds tiring, but you better get used to it. Practice rinsing your razor after every stroke to remove the shaving cream, dead skin cells, and hair.
This tactic helps to reduce the irritations as well as the skin bacteria that causes acne in the end.
5. Check On The Razor Quality
Using the wrong razor or a low-quality razor is a leading cause of irritation. As I said before, the irritations trigger acne in the long run.
Therefore, you can prevent this from occurring in the first place by ensuring that you use the right blade. For instance, never use a dull razor.
6. Cut with the Grain
We both know that shaving against the grain or in other words against the direction of hair growth gives a close cut. However, did you know that you can only do that on the third pass?
Experts recommend to start shaving first along the direction your hair grows. In most cases, this is already sufficient to give you a close and smooth shave. If it doesn't, only then should one shave across the grain. This technique will help prevent irritations which we all know cause acne.
1. Moisturize Your Face
By now you know that moisturizing the skin keeps it soft. The same moisturizing should also be done after the shave. Aloe and baby oil are some of the good aftershaves that you can use.
You can choose other options; just make sure that your choice has low-alcohol content as this helps reduce irritations.
2. Use An Aftershave Balm
The aftershave balm can soothe the irritations that occur after a shave, especially when you shave everyday. They also eliminate any bacteria that may be left on your skin after the shave.
You should know that aftershave balms are made of natural ingredients. Therefore, they work well with most natural oils.
3. Check Out Other Remedies To Treat Razor Bumps
By following the correct shaving procedure, you are unlikely to experience any razor bumps. However, in case they occur, you are encouraged to check out for tips on how to cure them.
The understanding will help you prevent these bumps which we both know causes acne in the long run.
4. Clean Your Blade Thoroughly
During a shave, the exfoliated dead skin cells get trapped in between the blades. Rinsing the blade after every stroke washes away the dead cells. However, it is still advisable to clean them thoroughly after the shave.
In fact, use an alcohol wipe after cleaning to ensure that your razor remains clean and ready for the next shave.
5. Use Face Masks Regularly
Yes, I know this step sounds so girlish, but you can also utilize it for the sake of that handsome look. Using face masks regularly helps reduce oils, and tightens your pores. In the end, it prevents the occurrence of acne.
6. Store Your Razors Properly
Most of us, if not all, store our razors in the washroom because that’s where all the business takes place.
However, you should avoid doing so because the steam from the shower will likely make your blade rusty and we all know what this will mean to your shave. Besides, storing the razor near the shower makes it dull.
CONCLUSION
About 85 percent of the world’s population is affected by acne. While it can be caused by a lot of factors, Shaving is one of the few activities that can aggravate the condition. However, switching to a quality razor and learning how to use it properly will help minimize the incidence of an acne breakout after shaving.
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