Nothing makes you feel like a man like a little acne talk, right? Acne is one of today’s leading skin conditions, and millions of men worldwide struggle with it. Acne usually begins in puberty, but can haunt men in particular for many years, with a large number of men dealing with pimples and blackheads well into adulthood. If you’re still dealing with acne, you may be asking what aspects of your skin routine you can modify to see improvement. One thing you may not have considered as contributing to your acne is shaving. Does shaving cause acne?
It can, if you’re shaving improperly. If you notice you get pimples after shaving, here’s your guide to taming that troublesome skin.
Causes of Shaving Pimples
Improper shaving is one of the common causes of pimples, or acne-like problems (shaving bumps, ingrown hairs, etc). Getting pimples after shaving can occur as a result of bacteria spread by your razor or shaving without proper technique. Certain classic shaving techniques have been honored and passed down through the decades because they really work. Leveraging correct technique is not only what gives you the cleanest, smoothest shave, but is what will protect your skin from razor burn, shaving bumps, cuts, and other unpleasantries. Pimples after shaving are common for those who don’t use the correct technique.
How do you know if you’re shaving correctly? First, you should be going mostly with the grain where possible, not against it. Going against the grain can pull at your hair follicles and cause irritation and blockage, leading to the formation of pimples.
Secondly, if you want to learn how to avoid acne after shaving, use as little pressure when shaving as possible. Use the weight of your razor to cut through the hair, rather than the weight of your hand. Another one of the causes of shaving pimples may be modern day multi-blade razor. Multi-blade razors, while lifting out hairs, consequently can cut too deeply into the skin line, resulting in skin growing over the empty hair pores, trapping in oil and resulting in pimples after shaving for men. To prevent this, go old school with a traditional safety razor. Many men who suffered from pimples after shaving report much less irritation with safety razors than with today’s popular cartridge ones. Plus, safety razors are cheaper in the long run, and we love a good bargain around here.
How to Avoid Acne after Shaving
There are some techniques you can employ to reduce the chances of getting pimples after shaving. Chief among those is wet shaving for maintaining healthy skin. Wondering how wet shaving can help to reduce acne? It’s simple: rinsing with warm water prior to shaving opens up your pores, making your skin more supple, and getting your blood flowing.
This makes your skin more flexible and easier to shave. It’s also less susceptible to irritation. Then, you should be sure that you always apply a shaving cream. Shaving cream makes it easier for your razor to glide over your face, providing valuable protection to your skin. The less your razor irritates your skin, the fewer pimples after shaving you’ll have. Work your shaving cream into a rich lather and spread liberally over your face. When you finally put your razor to your skin, don’t use long, grinding strokes. Go for the “multi pass” shave, reducing the length of hair more on each pass. This will not only give you a closer shave, but is much gentler on skin, reducing chances of pimples after shaving for men.
Lastly, consider applying an antibacterial gel or mild toner. You should always apply some sort of toner after you shave because it kills bacteria before it gets into your open pores, helping to prevent infection, razor burn, and the onset of pimples. Happy shaving!