Shaving help

[SilverWing]

Recently I started tucking. And that's when I really started to appreciate the advice to shave first. However, while I've tried to shave my body (and groin) before, it always ends up badly. Like, I'll miss a bunch of hairs, and my groin will just be red and have little spots of blood, and my legs will end up in a rash. Can anybody give me some advice? Keep in mind, I haven't tried shaving my body in forever, and my legs are really hairy while my groin is more akin to a forest (blech). But anyway, does anybody know how to do it without hurting myself?

[kaleb234]

As someone who only shaves his face, I am certainly no expert. My advice, however, would be to either:
-use a lot of shaving cream/lotion so as not to irritate the skin and get the razor rash
-use some sort of after shaving care product, if that even exists?
-get it done professionally and maybe ask them tips while you're there

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[gamerchic_kaylee]

Recently I started tucking. And that's when I really started to appreciate the advice to shave first. However, while I've tried to shave my body (and groin) before, it always ends up badly. Like, I'll miss a bunch of hairs, and my groin will just be red and have little spots of blood, and my legs will end up in a rash. Can anybody give me some advice? Keep in mind, I haven't tried shaving my body in forever, and my legs are really hairy while my groin is more akin to a forest (blech). But anyway, does anybody know how to do it without hurting myself?

When I started to shave more of my body I ran into the same issues.  My skin would respond badly to any kind of razor, no matter what cream, lotion, etc... I used.  My chest was fine, not a lot of hair and the skin there isn't as sensitive to razors.  My belly, and areas around my privates where a different story.  I would horrible razor burn, and get a ton of bumps (almost looked like pimples.)  I'm still working on how to better maintain that area.

With all that, I was very hesitant with my legs.  So I went a different route, looked into Veet, and from what I read it's really good for sensitive skin ... and with no razor, don't have to worry about razor burn or bumps.  So went out a bought it, and did a test spot on my thigh, worked perfectly.  I have very hairy legs, so used Veet for both of my legs.  I would say it got 98% of the hair.  I'm very happy, and looking forward to using it elsewhere on my body, the areas I stated above.  You can't use it on your private parts, face, or nipples.  I'm happy it works for me, but it doesn't work for everyone.

With regards to the groin area, I make sure I use a new razor and a lot of moisturizing soap and just taking my time.  Keeping the surface I'm shaving as flat as possible, and just taking it slow and careful.  I know there are "manscaping" shavers and stuff that you can help get the forest down to make shaving with a razor easier.  For example, when I first trimmed, I started with a trimmer I used to maintain the hair length of my sideburns and neck line.  Used the number 3 and 2 attachment to get my groin hair an easier length to work with with a razor after.  Something you can look into.

Just keep at it.  If it's something you aren't use to, there will be some growing pains.  You'll lean what to do and not to do.  Practice makes perfect.

Good luck!

[Denise]

I suggest that you take your time.  Do one pass today and remove some hair, make another pass tomorrow and so on.  If you go over what you want to remove every day, you will remove more and more without too much irritation. 

A good razor is important (I use Harrys.com products).  Typically every few days I use plain bar soap and give the once over.  I'm only shaving my groin at this point without any pimples forming.  On occasion I get a little over zealous and it get's a little raw, but overall - Slow and steady wins the race for me.

Good luck

[kelseygal]

First, use a trimmer to get it as close as you can before the razor part. Then, what you need to do is gently exfoliate the areas you will be shaving. For some reason this will help cut down on ingrown hairs, though I can't recall the exact reason why. Oh, and you might try taking a hot shower to preppare, I find that helps. Also, careful with the razor, I only recall a handful of bloody nicks over the years and can't recall a single incident of more than one nick per session. Another thing to consider is using a woman's razor, as they are built for body hair.

As far as missing spots, well, it just happens sometimes. Try and keep up on the shaving too. I try and do it every three days at a minimum.

[michelle]

I shave my whole body except for my groin area usually while taking a shower or a bath.  I shave regularly with an electric razor and an inexpensive two blade lady's razor.    I don't have a five o'clock shadow because my facial hair is light-colored,  however, my stubble is rough so my face and neck are never smooth to touch no matter how many times a day I shave.  I shave my face two or more times a day and my body at least once a week. I have found that I cannot use an electric razor on my arm pits because it chaffs the skin a lot.

[Valwen]

I shave more or less from my ears to my ankles every day, at first any area I shaved would get all iratated and perhaps even some bleeding, but give it a day off and do it again and after a few times the skin got used to it, or I got used to the razor and its mostly smooth sailing from there I mean its not perfect but things are smooth. I do allways have a short adjustment period when I use a new razor and I am sure my ingrown hair quota is way to high but body and facial hair especially facial hair is a major dysphoria inducer to me so it has to be done. I did cut down to once per day on my face to lessen the razor burn from doing it so often and so violently.

ok on second thought ignore everything I told you I am awful to my skin :-P

Serena

[Katiepie]

I got my razors from the club, DSC, should ring a bell. Very light on the wallet, as well as just as good if not better to their equivalent in stores which mark up prices like crazy. I'm not trying to advocate or anything but from my experience as per shaving.
I always had preferred a day used razor better than a brand new one since I always have to get accustomed to the new blade which means slice here, nic there, or a burn elsewhere.
My face usually needs a twice over every time I shave. First time with shave butter, making sure I lightly just essentially brush my razor over the areas of shaving. Then the initial rinse, then lotion my face, and then start process to lightly go over each area in which I go against the grain which gets the smooth for my face, then I wash my face completely thereafter, and then lotion up once more.
For my arms, I generally just go over them in the shower, exfoliate before and after shaving, but during the shave I generally use a light touch and move slowly. Legs the same except after exfoliating I would lather up my soap and then shave in the same process as my arms.

When I was younger and well not my true self, I would beat myself up every time I shaved even my face. I would let my razors get months old before replacing, dry shaved, used extreme force when pressing the razor to my face, always against the grain, not even using any sort of after shave or after shave lotions.surprisingly I never had razor bumps, just a bunch of little nics here and there.

I hope this explains a little of what to do and what not to do.... also never ever ever ever attempt to dry shave the top of the head, that is never a pretty sight nor fun. I speak from experience on this matter.

Kate <3

[Teema]

Use a multi blade razor,with five blades preferably,They are expensive but worth it.And don`t use foam from a can,get some shaving soap designed for brush application and massage it onto your skin.Then apply baby oil liberally over this.Add a few drops to the blades of the razor as you shave as well.Shave slowly and carefully to make sure the blades cut and don`t drag.Also you`ll have to change the blades frequently as the coarse body hairs will blunt them quickly.You`ll still get a few nicks but doing this works well for me and with a bit of practice you will get an acceptable smooth resultxx

[gamerchic_kaylee]

Okay, so circling back to my comments about using Veet.  Just learned today it's not as good with removing stubble.  I would say it got about 70% of the hair ... maybe should have waited longer (I went 5 days.)  Who knows, it worked great to remove that initial full grown men leg hair, which I found using a razor took a lot longer.

That's my update.

[Sebby Michelango]

Recently I started tucking. And that's when I really started to appreciate the advice to shave first. However, while I've tried to shave my body (and groin) before, it always ends up badly. Like, I'll miss a bunch of hairs, and my groin will just be red and have little spots of blood, and my legs will end up in a rash. Can anybody give me some advice? Keep in mind, I haven't tried shaving my body in forever, and my legs are really hairy while my groin is more akin to a forest (blech). But anyway, does anybody know how to do it without hurting myself?

You have to prepare the place you are going to shave. Especially important if you're going to shave the downstairs or in the face. It's not so pain in the ass or dangerous if you get a little cut at the leg.

Prepare.
Shave after a long hot shower or use a warm wet towel and put it at your shaving area. It's important for your hair to be a bit wet and warm. It's make your skin and hair softer. If you have long hair, cut it shorter with a barber machine. Then I recommend you to use shaving cream. Don't use to less.

Shaving.
Don't shave against the grains. Shaving against it causes many shaving accidents. You have to be patience and use your time while shaving. Quick shaving end often up with small cuts, forgetting to remove a couple of hair straw and the result would not be so well. Rather shave small strokes than too quick and long.

After shaving.
After shaving all the parts, cool yourself down a bit with colder water. It removes shaving cream etc. And it closes your pores. Ask a skin and shaving specialist which cream and after shaves they recommend. But most women doesn't use it, so you doesn't need to concern about that so much. After shaving your hairs under your arms, wait with using deodorant. Again, the pores has to close themselves. Deodorant can hurt the skin, nerves etc. if you use it after shaving. Wait a couple of hours.

DON'T
Don't use a bad razor. If it's not sharp enough, it would be lesser effective and comfortable. It may remove lesser too. Never shaving without shaving cream or wetting your skin. Dry skin isn't a good thing. It causes a lesser effective shave. If you're using products with alcohols in, the skin can be damaged.

- Shaving "specialist" Sebastian.

[KristinaM]

One thing people are not talking about here I've noticed is how to avoid the bumps and ingrown crotch hairs after shaving...

I'll give you a page out of my book for waxing aftercare. EXFOLIATE. I use an Axe Body Detailer. It's like a loofa with attitude. The back side is firmer and rougher and does some pretty aggressive exfoliating. Just use that every day after shaving, no need to do it when you shave, but the day after and so on. Your red bumps and ingrown hairs will be reduced by 90-95%.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Anna33]

Ive been shaving since forever. I have had low t all my life and nearly no body hair so idk if this helps but i wax my legs and shave my parts and armpits.

For shaving i normally do it whilst having a long bath so the warm water softens the pores and shaving is easier.

remember not to have sex, masturbate or do any sports for 24 hours after you shaved your genitals or you will get super super itchy. My advise is to shave with an expensive five blade razor in the evening and have an easy night/day before you get active.

If you have lots of body hair trim it first and then shave with lots of shaving foam and hot water. Shave in the direction of the hair on your thigs and then shave against it from the knees down.

Once you get used to it you can go against the hair direction on your thigs and genitals.

Get yourself a good skin cream for your legs and wax them when you can, or laser them. Smooth legs are so sexy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KristinaM]

Oh, and when shaving, use conditioner (like for your head hair) instead of shaving cream.  I don't know why, but it works fantastic.  Most any conditioner will do.

[SilverWing]

Thanks, all. Really helpful. I shall try to get hold of some good razors soon and follow your advice. (I've already got a small electric trimmer. A "micro detailer".)

One other question - on my face, I've been keeping a light touch on the razor and all, which seems to lessen cuts. But, I still see stubble if I look closely. And I can NEVER get the corners of my chin as smooth as I would like. (I don't care much about feeling it, but I really don't like seeing the hair.) How do I get that without cutting myself?

[Anna33]

Thats why you need a five blade razor those you can find at places like walmart. You can do corners and sensitive edges much easier with them. Regular two or three blade razors can cut you easily.

For the face its essential that you shave when the skinpores are open. Use lots of warm water or put a damp towel with hot water around your face for one or two minutes. Shave from top to bottom and then from bottom to top to get a super close shave.

Then you can put some moisturizing cream and a little bit of makeup to cover it up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Deborah]

For the face it also helps to shave in the shower at the end when your face has been in hot water and soap for a while.  You can get a whole lot closer against the grain without irritation.  You just need to get used to doing it by feel without a mirror.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RobynD]

For the body, i found that an exfoliating sugar scrub made with olive oil, sugar and a few drops of vitamin E oil was a huge help in avoiding bumps and razor burn on the legs and bikini area.

[CarlyMcx]

The one thing I would add to this is that you should use a shaving cream designed for sensitive skin.  They contain extra oils and lubricants that will help cut down on the ingrown hairs and the cuts.

And even though I have been shaving my private parts for a little over 30 years, I still get an occasional nick or cut, which leaves me dreaming of electrolysis.

[gamerchic_kaylee]

Not to hijack this thread, but my question is related

I've noticed now that I'm shaving my legs fairly regularly ... My legs are breaking out, not razor burn, full on zits.  I exfoliate daily, and moisturize almost everyday.  I'm not sure if this is my legs just getting use to clothing without the protection of leg hair or what.  Normal?