Do you know that the great beauties of the cinema, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor, shaved their faces? Yes, they sure did according to Elizabeth Taylor’s personal cosmetic dermatologist. “Why?” you may be thinking. They simply wanted totally bare skin and to add exfoliation as well.
The real question now is whether you should or shouldn’t do it. “If they did it, why not me?” you might ask. Well, are you embarrassed by facial hair? Do you think that bare facial skin is important to you? Will exfoliation give you smooth skin? Only you know the answers to these questions. Maybe a look at the pros and cons of shaving your facial hair will help you to decide what is best for you.
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The Pros of Shaving Facial Hair
- Shaving your facial hair exfoliates your skin. Men have been doing it for generations, and many experts believe that is why men age better. According to Dr. Michael Prager, a London aesthetic clinician, home shaving has some effect on an anti-aging point of view.
- Because shaving your facial hair is a practice of microdermabrasion, it encourages the production of collagen thus reducing wrinkles points out Dr. Prager.
- Dr. Prager also states that the idea that shaving causes regrowth is only a myth. He explains that when you cut hair at the root, it doesn’t affect the follicle. The follicle produces hair while it sits below the skin. He adds the hair is simply not changed at a cellular level.
- An alternative way of removing facial hair such as hair removal creams or bleach to make the hair less visible are both smelly and messy. Shaving makes your skin feel smooth and lovely.
- Moisturizers and serums will sink in better after shaving.
- By making make-up such as foundation sit better, shaving gives your facial skin a healthy color.
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The Cons of Shaving Facial Hair
- Only women with a significant amount of facial hair should shave their facial hair, recommends Dr. Julia Tzu, Director of Wall Street Dermatology. This is because it is not only unnecessary, but it can also damage your skin as well. Small abrasions on your skin can be the result of shaving.
- In addition, shaving facial hair can cause bumps. These razor bumps are actually ingrown hairs or infections of hair follicles and can be extremely annoying for a lot of people.
- You may exfoliate your skin too much. You should be aware of the fact that a pre-shave, anti-aging or acne product are powerful exfoliators. If you combine one of these with shaving, it will be too much exfoliation.
- Debris stuck in your razor can cause infection because of its bacteria when you shave. Irritation, itching, redness, and pimples can be the result.
- Shaving zaps your face’s skin of moisture. Your skin may already be on the dry side. However, it can get worse and turn red, itch or feel tight. Some shaving creams with foaming producers can also dry your skin. By adding aftershave that has alcohol in it, the aftershave can sting your freshly shaved skin and promote dryness as well.
5 Tips for Shaving Facial Hair the Right Way
1: Get a Cleaner Shave
You can get a cleaner shave and reduce your risk of getting ingrown hairs by opening your pores and softening the facial hairs. You should apply a towel dampened with hot or warm water and press it on your skin for two minutes or longer.
2: Prevent Razor Burn
According to this blog post from Brazilian Butterfly website, by applying a lather of shaving gel, you are also applying a protective barrier that will prevent razor burn. However, you should be sure to use a moisturizing shaving gel and not soap.
3: Read the Fine Print
Do not purchase or use a shaving gel if any of the first three ingredients in it is a fragrance or alcohol. This is especially true if your skin is irritable and dry. You should pick one that has a sensitive-skin formula instead.
4: Try Using a Men’s Razor
The design of a men’s razor is developed especially for the face. Since they’re more durable and very sharp, they’ll be less likely to cause ingrown hairs or irritation. You should also shave in the direction of your hair growth.
5: The Razor You Use on Your Leg Should Never be Used on Your Face
According to Cecilia Wong, founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare, by using the same razor you use on your legs on your face, you risk causing irritation and inflammation that can lead to ingrown hairs and scarring. This is because after using the razor on your legs, it may contain dead skin and bacteria that may potentially cause an infection.
Conclusion
If facial hair causes you to feel embarrassed, you certainly should remove it. The method you use may be a difficult choice. Consider the pros and cons of shaving, and you should know the best choice for you. If you decide to try shaving your facial hair, the tips above should especially help in avoiding ingrown hairs and infection.
