Sensitive skin can make shaving more difficult and may leave your skin with red blotches and irritation every time you shave. While you might very well have sensitive skin, there are other reasons that shaving results in skin irritation, many of which can be corrected.
While seeing a dermatologist is your best bet to determine if you have skin sensitivity or skin allergy towards a specific product, there are a few things you can think about too.
Do You Even Have Sensitive Skin?
Men often believe they have sensitive skin and might already take precautions to deal with it while shaving. The use of sensitive skin shaving cream. Lotions. Moisturizers. All might be used to deal with skin sensitivity that is made worse by shaving.
But what you if you don’t actually have sensitive skin? A 2019 report entitled The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin concluded that:
Overall, ~60–70% of women and 50–60% of men report having some degree of sensitive skin. However, there are differences between populations in various geographies, and perceptions of sensitive skin at specific anatomic sites.
–National Center for Biotechnology Information
So where you live and the perceptions that you have about the topic can influence whether or not you believe you have sensitive skin.
And what if you don’t actually have sensitive skin but have some other underlying issue(s)?
The report brings up a few questions:
- How exactly do you define sensitive skin?
- What if you don’t actually have sensitive skin but simply have shaving habits that are causing you the grief?
- What if you do have skin sensitivity but only to certain products or ingredients that make it worse?
How Your Shaving Habits Might Be The Problem
Your skin sensitivity might be real or it could be something else. Namely:
Using the wrong type of shaver
Electric shavers use a lift and cut system whereby each hair is gently lifted and cut so that the remaining hair falls back below skin surface. This can increase ingrown hairs and thus skin irritation.
Multi-blade razors may offer a better shave but they also result in more blades scraping your skin which can increase skin irritation. They also use a lift and cut system like electric shavers which again, increase the chance of ingrown hairs.
Then again, using a single blade razor means there is more pressure applied by the single blade on your skin than multi-blades spreading the pressure out. You need to find out for yourself which option(s) works for you.
Dull razor
If you don’t replace your razor frequently enough, your increase the risk of irritating your skin and developing ingrown hairs. Once the blade becomes dull and you feel the tugging on your whiskers, you know the blade needs to be replaced.
Shaving mistakes
While you might have sensitive skin, your shaving style may also be the problem. If you shave too quickly or aggressively or shave against the grain, it can cause skin irritation. I used to get skin irritation on my throat and back of my neck from shaving against the grain. I still shave that way today but use a better quality razor blade and don’t have the same problem anymore.
Using the wrong type of shaving cream or no shaving cream
While most men can get away with using canned shaving cream from the store, your skin might require something better. Also, dry shaving (shaving without shaving cream) is a foolproof way to irritate your skin. Consider shaving cream from a tube or a shaving soap that contains soothing ingredients to better protect your skin while shaving.
Dry skin
Shaving with a razor uses a sharp blade to literally remove a layer of skin from your face (and head if you shave there too). This has an impact on your skin particularly on sensitive areas like your throat and back of your neck.
Splashing on cheap aftershave
Further to the Dry skin part that you just read…Aftershaves tend to be very high in alcohol which has a drying effect on skin. Use of aftershave can further dry and irritate your skin.
Skin Problems That Might Be The Culprit
While you might be making mistakes with shaving that you can correct, it’s also possible that you have skin conditions that cause the trouble or make the problem worse.
Eczema or Rosacea
Eczema and Rosacea are two skin conditions that can make shaving more difficult and might need to be treated by a medical professional. Each condition might be exacerbated by shaving or by the shaving products you use. Your doctor might for example suggest you use an emollient for shaving in place of a shaving cream or gel.
Acne
Chronic acne can also make shaving difficult. Every zit you shave over will generally cut, bleed and get red with inflammation. If you shave the same area too soon, it will continue to bleed and remain unable to heal. You run the risk of infecting the cut too especially if you have oily skin.
Conclusion
- What is the best way to shave with sensitive skin? First off, you need to find out if you actually have sensitive skin or if you’re dealing with something else.
- Do an inventory on your shaving habits as discussed above to see if this might be the real problem.
- Check with a dermatologist if you think you may have a skin condition like eczema or rosacea that may need treatment.
Do you suffer from sensitive skin? How did you deal with it while shaving?