Top 5 shaving tips

Most of us have been shaving for a long time and often endure the nicks and irritation so familiar to shaved skin. Here are a few tips to make shaving smoother and painless.

1. Pick the best time to shave
Avoid shaving during morning showers, since legs swell slightly while you sleep. The swelling can hide part of the hair and your shave will not be as close to the skin as it would be during an evening shave.

2. Exfoliate daily
The best way to avoid ingrown hairs is to exfoliate daily using a gentle body scrub. It is also good to use a daily body lotion with alpha hydroxy acids, since this will loosen dead skin and stop hairs getting caught underneath your skin.

3. Use shaving cream or gel
Shaving cream or gel assists in preventing skin irritation from using a razor blade. If you have sensitive skin, use a formula which contains vitamin E, aloe or allantoin. Apply the shaving cream against the hair growth for the closest shave.

4. Change razor blades often
It is very important to change razor blades on a regular basis, since dull blades can lead to nicks. Using a clean and sharp razor blade is also key to preventing red bumps the day after shaving.

5. Moisturise to prevent dryness
After shaving, apply moisturiser or oil to your skin, to prevent dryness. The skin on your legs has very few oil glands and has a tendency for dryness. You can also use a soothing shaving balm after shaving to reduce ingrown hair, while helping to calm and moisturise tender skin.