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Hair
removal by shaving
Removal of body hair by shaving is a process that has been used
in different cultures around the world for a long time. Native Americans
and Pacific Islanders removed hair by scraping with pieces of seashell.
In ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures, the volcanic glass obsidian
was used to shave hair. Obsidian can be honed many times sharper
than modern steel razor blades. Today, shaving is still a popular
and readily accessible option for hair removal.
 Shaving
is probably used more than any other method of removal for body
hair, but most women are repelled at the thought of shaving to remove
facial hair. Perhaps it is regarded as a specifically masculine
approach, but there is no practical reason why women cannot shave
their faces. Shaving does not affect texture, color, or the rate
of hair growth, although this is a popular belief. Unfortunately
even some dermatologists perpetuate the myth that shaving stimulates
hair growth, but scientific studies to prove that it does not have
been conducted from the 1920s onwards. All the studies consistently
show hair follicles do not respond to shaving. However, shaving
might give the impression of promoting thicker hair a few days after
shaving. Short, cut hair is less flexible than long hair and therefore
feels more bristly. The change in presentation between the smooth
appearance of the newly shaved skin and the bristly appearance a
few days later also probably makes the hair growth more noticeable.
The only answer to this is to shave more frequently.
And that is the main disadvantage with shaving - the result does
not last for very long. Shaving must be done every day or every
other day to maintain a smooth appearance with facial hair. Hair
on the body is slower growing and may not need to be shaved so frequently,
but still it is not unusual to need to shave body hair 2-3 times
a week. There is also the risk of skin damage from nicks and cuts
if you wet shave. An electric razor will avoid cutting the skin,
but they generally do not cut as close as with a safety razor and
shaving foam.
The best way to wet shave is to wash the skin in warm water first.
Shaving body areas after a shower or in the bath is a good idea.
When shaving the face, wash the beard area first. The warm water
helps to soften the hair and make it easier to cut and ensures the
hair canal is is fully open and the hair fiber fully exposed for
a closer shave. Some kind of lubricant should be used to reduce
irritation from the razor and help avoid cutting the skin. Shaving
creams and gels come in all shapes and sizes so try out a few different
ones and find the one that suits you. Those with sensitive skin
should avoid perfumed shaving lubricants as there is some evidence
that shaving stimulates the skin into increased responsiveness against
allergy inducing substances.
The primary risk with shaving comes from ingrown hairs. These are
most likely to occur when someone wet shaves with a blunt razor
and shaves "against the grain". A blunt razor cuts hair
such that it leaves a jagged edge to the end of the hair fiber.
This is more likely to dig in to the skin as it emerges from the
hair canal. To help avoid this, always use a sharp razor. Shaving
with the grain also helps avoid ingrown hairs. Use your other hands
to pull the skin taught and make the hair stand up for cutting.
If you must shave your face against the grain for a close shave,
try shaving with the grain first and then against it afterwards.
This will cut most of the hair and only leave very short hair to
be cut when you reshave against the grain. Take your time, if you
hurry you will be more likely to cut your skin.
In principle it would also be best to shave legs with the grain,
but in practice this is extremely difficult to do. Most people shave
with an upstroke against the grain on the legs because you can get
a much closer shave this way and twisting your hand around to shave
along the grain is difficult. However, this closer shave does bring
a greater risk of ingrown hairs. If you can shave against the grain
and do not get in grown hairs then there is nothing to stop you
from continuing with this approach. If you do get a lot of in growing
hairs then you might try an electric razor instead of wet shaving.
Because the shave is no quite so close, the hair has less chance
of digging into the skin. When shaving the legs, use long, even
strokes rather than short, choppy ones. Be extra careful on bony
areas such as the ankle and shin bone as this skin is most susceptible
to nicking. Here you should use the razor with very little pressure.
Most cuts and scrapes caused by shaving are due to haste and carelessness.
If you cut the skin and bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the cut
with a dry, clean cloth or tissue until the bleeding stops. A styptic
pencil can also help.
And on behalf of men everywhere - ladies, please get your own razor
and don't use ours!
Hair
removal by shaving references
- Shenenberger DW, Utecht LM. Removal of unwanted
facial hair. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Nov 15;66(10):1907-11.
- [No authors listed] Information from your
family doctor. What should I know about removing unwanted facial
hair? Am Fam Physician. 2002 Nov 15;66(10):1913-4.
- Jevon P, Jevon M. Facial shaving. Nurs
Times. 2001 Mar 15-21;97(11):43-4.
- Olsen EA. Methods of hair removal. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 1999 Feb;40(2 Pt 1):143-55.
- Edman B. The influence of shaving method
on perfume allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 1994 Nov;31(5):291-2.
- Klein AW, Rish DC. Depilatory and shaving
products. Clin Dermatol. 1988 Jul-Sep;6(3):68-70.
- Robinson DE. Fashions in shaving and trimming
of the beard: the men of the Illustrated London News, 1842-1972.
American Journal of sociology. 1976;81(5):1133-41.
- Lynfield YL, Macwilliams P. Shaving and
hair growth. J Invest Dermatol. 1970 Sep;55(3):170-2.
- Trotter M. Hair growth and shaving. Anat
Rec. 1928;37:373-379.
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