From the countless methods of hair removal, we have all tried shaving once in our lives and it has fascinated us as well, right? Shaving is a hair removal method that not only removes the hair and makes skin silky smooth but also exfoliates it. However, are you experiencing that it is damaging your skin after a few sessions?
Let us tell you that you are not alone. Shaving might be your last resort to hair removal when you are in a hurry but it cannot be your ultimate go-to option. This is because of side effects including,
- Skin irritation and itching
- Ingrown hair and bumps
- Dryness
- 5 O’clock shadow
Today, we will discuss all the side effects of shaving face female.
6 Side Effects of Shaving Face for Female
Although shaving the face has the owing benefits,
- Quick hair removal method
- Cheap as compared to other temporary methods of hair removal
- Can be used for dermaplaning as well,
It has many side effects, which makes it unsuitable for many people. Let us discuss each of these drawbacks in detail.
1. Skin Irritation
While it seems like a razor blade smoothly cuts the hair at the skin’s surface, the process is not that simple. Shaving Razors for puts a frictional force one the skin,
- Use of an old blade that tugs the skin instead of moving on smoothly
- Skin’s reaction to shaving products
- Shaving on dry skin without using a lubricating agent
2. Razor Bumps
The formation of razor bumps on the skin is one of the ugly disadvantages of shaving face women. Razor bumps occur because,
- An allergic reaction might occur giving rise to bumps.
- Razors cause invisible micro-tears in the skin allowing bacteria to enter. These bacteria cause infection of the hair follicles called folliculitis and it appears in the form of razor bumps.
- If skin is not well exfoliated, there is a risk of clogging of pores by bacteria, excess oil, and impurities.
3. Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair is one of the most notorious cons of shaving your face. The mechanism behind the development of ingrown hair is given as,
- Shaving cuts the hair instead of removing it from the roots
- The blunt ends of the hair face difficulty in coming out of the skin
- It is especially true for thick or curled hair
- This hair then grows inwards the superficial layer of the
- Then it appears as a black dot in the middle of a raised bump, also called an ingrown hair
4. 5 O’clock Shadow
Have you ever noticed that your skin looks greenish within a day after shaving your face? Well, this shadow-like appearance of the upper lip hair is known as the 5 O’clock shadow. Some facts about 5 O’clock shadow are given here,
- It got its name from the fact that people who shaved in the morning got a few mm of hair growth by 5 in the evening
- The regrowth of the blunt and straight ends of the hair from the skin gives it a shadow-like appearance
- It commonly occurs in women with dense and dark facial hair
5. Dryness and Itching
Shaving a delicate area like that of the face puts a strain on the skin and also exfoliates it. During this process,
- The natural oil of the skin is removed
- The superficial layer of the skin is removal
This leaves skin dry. Furthermore, people with dry skin often experience worsening of the condition. Note that there is itching in the skin when hair regrows back.
6. Incompatibility With Sensitive Skin
If you have read the above-discussed drawbacks of shaving earlier and have sensitive skin, you must have guessed that shaving is not for you, right? Shaving is incompatible with sensitive or acne-prone skin because of,
- The risk of skin damage and allergic reaction
- Increased incidence of acne due to transmission of acne-causing bacteria in the shaved area
Will My Hair Grow Back Thicker After Shaving My Face?
Let us address one of the common myths, which is considered as the side effect of Shaving, but in reality, it is not.
Some people have reported that
“Shaving makes their facial hair grow thicker and their coarse facial hair was converted into a mustache after shaving”
However, the facts about these concerns say the other way round and are given as,
- Shaving does not cause any reaction or changes in the hair follicles. As hair develops from the follicles, there is no way that shaving can cause thickening of the hair
- The razor blade trims the hair from the surface of the skin leaving blunt hair ends behind. These blunt hair ends appear as thick hair when they grow out from the skin.
Thus, there is no actual thickening or increase in hair growth. Rather, hair just appears coarse and greater in number due to straight ends instead of the tapered ends of normal hair growth.
How to Get Rid of Side Effects of Shaving Face for Females?
Considering all the issues behind the side effects of shaving the face, you can take the following measures to get rid of the cons of shaving your face for females.
1. Choose a Clean and Fresh Razor Each Time
The older the razor, the more blunt its ends are. The blade with blunt ends tugs the skin. You can avoid it by,
- Using a fresh razor every time you shave your face
- Ensuring that the razor blade is sharp
- Using a blade with ridges to prevent shaving cuts
In addition to using a sharp razor, cleanliness is important as well. A sterilized razor without any dust or bacteria can help you prevent,
- Razor bumps
- Folliculitis
2. Use a Shaving Cream
To get rid of skin irritation, dryness, and itching caused by shaving facial skin, a facial shaving cream is helpful. It works by,
- Lubricating the surface of the skin
- Moisturizing skin cells
- Providing shaving razors with a smooth surface to glide on
Although it is better to use a shaving cream designed for women’s faces, you can also use other moisturizing products. Some examples include,
- Facial oils
- Shaving or aloe vera gel
- Face lotions
3. Exfoliate the Skin Before and After Shaving
One of the major factors causing ingrown hair is the clogging of the pores due to dead skin cells, oil, and other impurities. Exfoliating the skin can help you get rid of such side effects. Therefore,
- Use a chemical or physical exfoliating product 1 to 2 days before your shaving session
- Exfoliate the skin 12 to 24 hours after your hair removal
- Exfoliate once every week to keep the skin in a healthy condition
4. Try Ulike IPL Hair Removal Device for Sensitive Skin
No matter how much you try and make an effort to keep your sensitive skin in good relation with shaving, the chances of razors irritating the skin are high. That is why we suggest you switch to a gentle hair removal method.
For example, IPL hair removal with Ulike IPL hair removal handset. This device can prove to be beneficial for the delicate skin of the face as,
- It keeps the skin cool and comfortable with its ice-cooling technology
- It has a specific treatment mode for sensitive areas like face
- It reduces the rate of hair growth significantly and thus the need of shaving
Takeaway
Shaving might be an effortless hair removal method. But, it is not entirely safe or free of side effects. On sensitive areas like the face, you must go for a hair removal method that helps your skin glow rather than give it bumps.
Unfortunately, shaving has many side effects that can affect your appearance and, thus, your self-confidence. Thus, it is better to shave your face occasionally and go for a long-lasting hair removal method like IPL hair removal for your regular facial grooming.