How to shave when you have acne – whether on your face or head – takes a bit of work and planning.
If you are younger, you might have to deal with acne for awhile so it’s best to get a good routine under your belt early to deal with it. And if you’re older and still get acne (it happens) here are some suggestions that may help you too.
Tips For Shaving With Acne
Consult a dermatologist
A medical professional who focuses on skincare, hair and nails may be able to offer a treatment plan that can at worst help you keep your acne in check and at best might be able to successfully treat it so that it disappears.
Wash your face before shaving
Removing anything from your face that causes friction from the razor strokes is key. That’s why washing your face is important. This holds true if you shave your head too. A hot shower before shaving is always a great idea since the warm water and steam helps to open your pores, soften your skin and soften your hair before shaving.
Use a face wash rather than generic soap which can have a drying effect. A face wash will help to remove oils and dirt before you shave.
Use a sensitive skin shaving cream
Using a sensitive skin shaving cream may be easier on your skin and is especially helpful if you do in fact have sensitive skin in addition to the acne. You might want to stay away from canned shaving cream products and go for a higher end shaving soap or shaving cream from a tube.
Canned shaving creams foam up real nice but it’s very fluffy foam that easily scrapes off with a finger. Shaving soap and cream from a tube tends to offer more protection while shaving.
Use a razor
The problem with using an electric shaver if you have significant acne is that you have less control than with a razor. With a razor you can (and should) take short, slow strokes. You can more easily see your face while you shave.
Electric shavers are bulkier and involve moving them in circles (rotary shaver) or up and down (foil shaver) which may irritate skin more than a shaver. They may also lead to more ingrown hairs with their lift and cut systems.
Consider a double edge (DE) razor
A DE razor has a single blade so there is only one blade touching your skin rather than a multi-blade razor which has multiple blades scraping your skin. A DE razor is a better option if you suffer from ingrown hairs, too.
Short of that, you could use a twin blade (2 blade) razor. Any more blades and you might be asking for trouble with multiple blades scraping your skin. And if you’re a beginner shaver, you might want to know more about all the options available to you for shaving.
Wash your face again at night before bed
This will help to remove oils that have built up during the day to help keep pores clear which may help to reduce acne.
Conclusion: Is It Ok To Shave With Acne
- It’s generally ok to shave with acne but more care needs to be taken depending on how prevalent it is on your skin. A visit to a dermatologist might be order to help you deal with the problem first.
- Choose a razor that minimizes skin contact and thus skin irritation. Avoid electric shavers if your acne is widespread as they don’t offer as much control as a manual razor.
- Ensure that you properly wash your face prior to shaving and again before bed to clear away oil and dirt.
Is it ok to shave with acne or do you avoid it when possible? Let us know in the comments below!