How to Properly Care for Your Body Pre- and Post-Shave

Razor commercials are so annoying.

There is always a smiling woman with hairless legs (so why would she even need to shave?), gracefully gliding a razor up her leg with no irritation or red marks. She doesn't even need to use shaving cream or moisturizer!

If you choose to shave, you know the process can be very frustrating. You're often left with red, irritated, bumpy and dry skin. And while alternatives to shaving, such as waxing or sugaring, are better for your skin, shaving isn't inherently bad for it. Our pre- and post-skincare create most shaving problems. However, you can protect your skin with proper care and leave the shower with a clean, smooth shave. Here are the pre-shave and post-shave routines that will give you commercial-worthy and healthy skin.

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Pre-Shave

1.When you get in the shower, start your cleansing routine and leave shaving for last. It allows your skin time to soften, so it will be easier to shave.

2. Next, you'll want to exfoliate with a physical scrub like a body scrub or a loofa. You could skip this step if you exfoliated before you got in the shower, through dry brushing or another technique. Exfoliating will gently buff off the dead skin, which can dull the razor. Now you have a clean canvas for shaving!

3. The final step to prep for a shave is by choosing the correct shaving cream. To reduce irritation, you should never dry-shave or use shampoo to replace shaving cream. The cream acts as a hydrating barrier, so it allows the razor to glide over your skin with less resistance. You're going to want to look for a shaving cream that does not contain irritants like fragrance or alcohol.

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Post-Shave

1.Your post-shave routine is just as crucial as your pre-shave routine. It will help your skin recover and decrease the chance of dry skin. Right before you get out of the shower, turn the temperature down for a moment. The cool water will help soothe any irritation your skin may be experiencing.

2. When you get out of the shower, you'll want to pat your skin dry. Don't rub your skin anymore after exfoliation. Also, do not completely dry your body, as you want your moisturizer to lock in water to keep your skin as hydrated as possible.

3. One of the most critical steps is moisturizing. Buy an excellent body moisturizer with soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera and chamomile.

4. If you have any red marks or red areas, you can apply a cool compress to the site. It's best to opt for a warm compress for ingrown hairs, bringing the hair to your skin's surface for easy removal. However, if you're prone to in-grown hairs, it's always safer to see a professional for safe removal.

5. The final step for shaving, if it's during the day, is sunscreen! We always end our skincare routines with sunscreen. Exfoliants have just stripped your body, leaving it more sensitive. If you're shaving at night, you can skip this step.

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That's it! If you have extremely sensitive skin and experience very painful rashes, irritation, frequent in-grown hair or other complex skincare problem, please seek professional help! You may need a little extra guidance from a dermatologist on what procedure to follow and which products would be best for your sensitivity level.

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Looking for more beauty advice? Check out the most effective skincare masks for every budget!