Gone are the days when body hair removal was a topic for women only. Many more men are interested to shave their body hair, nowadays. However, wherever you choose to shave—neck, underarms, stomach, or even full-body—technique and tools matter. The multi-fold benefits of getting cleaner, sexier and confident skin are based on correct technique and proper shaving kit.
As per a recent study by Fragrance Direct, men spend twice as long (112 minutes) and more money on hair removal than women (52 minutes). The study also revealed that men shape their brows more regularly than women. Men groom their eyebrows 1.4 times a week, rising to 2.3 times a week for 25-34-year olds, whilst women groom their eyebrows 1.2 times a week. In the same age group, men groom their leg hair twice a week, and 17.7% choosing to shave their leg hair off completely. Meanwhile, a survey by Cosmopolitan revealed that 90% of men trim or clean shave their pubic hair regularly.
Here is a Step-By-Step Guide to shave your body hair using the right products.
Step 1: First use a Body Trimmer
Always begin by trimming body hair as short as you can. This prevents the razor blades from getting clogged by long hair. A Body Trimmer comes in handy for this purpose. Trimming will also prevent hair from tugging and pulling thus reducing the risk of razor bumps, irritation, nicks, and cuts. It also ensures the hair follicles are in the best condition for hair removal allowing normal hair growth post-shave, preventing ingrown hair.
To begin, select a Fixed Comb Length. The right comb length on your body hair trimmer can help your hair to shorten as much as possible. The LetsShave 3-in-1 Beard, Body & Head Trimmer comes with 2 comb attachments (1 mm to 10 mm and 11 mm to 20 mm) for you to choose from.
Step 2: Take a Warm Shower
Taking a warm shower will do wonders for you. It will soften your body hair and skin and open up the pores necessary for an irritation-free shave. In case you are short on time, wet the hair in the shaving area with warm water to reduce irritation and minimize the possibility of nicks and cuts.
Step 3: Lather Up with Shave Gel or Shave Cream or Shave Foam
After the pores open up from a warm shower, apply shaving cream on the skin and allow it to sit for at least a minute to further soften the hair before shaving. A good lather will help to hydrate hair, decrease friction between your skin and the razor thus decreasing irritation and protecting your skin. It’s important to note that using shaving cream or foam is the ONLY way to go. Do not settle for shampoo, conditioner, or soap because it won’t work quite the same way. Soaps and shampoos are surfactants designed to remove dirt and oil but lack the skin moisturizing and nourishing properties.
Step 4: Use a Razor with Sharp Blades
Check the sharpness of the blades before shaving. It may be time to replace the blades if they feel dull or moisturizing strips look faded. Imagine using a dull knife to cut a nice and tender tomato: it will require you to use more pressure when cutting, creating a greater chance of having the knife slip and ruining the tomato. Note that it’s actually the dull blades that will cut you more often than the sharp ones. Sharp razor blades will always give you a smooth shave.
Step 5: Shave with Short, Gentle Strokes
Use LetsShave Pro 6 Advance or Pro 6 Sensitive razor and shave with short, gentle strokes. Re-apply shave gel as needed and shave again until you achieve the desired smooth shave. Rinse often between the shaves and then gently shake off excess water. Do not tap or bang your razor against the sink or wall. No need to wipe your razor blades against a towel (as this may reduce the life of the razor by affecting the design of the blade components). Just rinse the razor under running water and let it air dry. Simple!
Step 6: Rinse with cold water, Pat dry and Moisturize
It is important to rinse with cold water and apply LetsShave After-Shave Balm, post-shaving. This helps to close the pores and soothe the skin.
Voila! You have just mastered Body Shaving 101. Stay tuned for the next blog to read the Step-By-Step Guide of shaving the body by parts.