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Should You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?

Exfoliating is an essential part of any skincare routine, and if you’re someone who shaves regularly, you might be wondering whether you should exfoliate before or after shaving. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your skin type, the type of razor you use, and the products you use during and after shaving. 

Are you excited to know more about this issue? Read on to find out.

What is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This can be done using physical or chemical exfoliants. This process serves several essential purposes. First and foremost, exfoliating helps to unclog pores, preventing the development of acne and blackheads while promoting a smoother complexion. Additionally, it stimulates cell turnover, encouraging the growth of new, healthy skin cells that can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Exfoliating also enhances the absorption of skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin for more effective results.

Should You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?

“I recommend exfoliating before shaving to remove dead skin cells and debris that can clog up your razor blade and lead to irritation and razor burn.” – said Joshua Zeichner, M.D., dermatologist in New York City. In fact, exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells, allowing for a closer, smoother shave. This is especially important if you have coarse hair or sensitive skin, as it can help reduce the risk of nicks and ingrown hairs. Additionally, exfoliating can help prevent razor burn and irritation, as it helps soften the hair follicles and makes them easier to shave.

However, you need to be gentle when exfoliating before shaving, as you don’t want to irritate your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to exfoliate a day or two before shaving, rather than on the same day. This will give your skin time to recover.

What type of exfoliation should you use?

Chemical exfoliation is generally considered to be the best type of exfoliation to use before shaving. This is because chemical exfoliants are gentler on the skin and less likely to cause irritation.

Chemical exfoliants work by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, which makes it easier to remove them. Some common chemical exfoliants include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid.

Physical exfoliants, on the other hand, work by physically scrubbing away dead skin cells. Some common physical exfoliants include scrubs, brushes, and washcloths.

While physical exfoliants can be effective at removing dead skin cells, they can also be more irritating to the skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. This is because physical exfoliants can cause micro-abrasions, which can lead to redness, inflammation, and breakouts.

If you do choose to use a physical exfoliant before shaving, be sure to choose a gentle product with small, rounded beads. Avoid using harsh scrubs with large beads, as these can damage your skin

How to Exfoliate Before Shaving

  • Start by washing your skin with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to remove any dirt, oils, and impurities. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
  • Apply your chosen exfoliating product to the areas you plan to shave. Use gentle, circular motions to massage the exfoliant onto your skin. Pay extra attention to areas prone to ingrown hairs, like the bikini area or beard area.
  • Be cautious not to scrub too vigorously, as this can irritate your skin. Exfoliate for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Rinse off the exfoliant with warm water, ensuring all product residue is removed from your skin.
  • Gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing, as this can irritate freshly exfoliated skin.
  • After exfoliating, apply a good-quality shaving cream or gel to the areas you want to shave. Allow it to sit for a minute to soften the hair and prepare the skin for shaving.

How to care for your skin after shaving

  • After shaving, gently rinse your skin with cool water. This helps to close the pores and soothe the skin.
  • Use a clean, soft towel to pat your skin dry. Avoid rubbing, as this can cause irritation.
  • Apply an alcohol-free aftershave lotion or a soothing, hydrating moisturizer to your skin. Look for products that contain ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or witch hazel, which can calm the skin and reduce redness. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a fragrance-free product.
  • Avoid using products with alcohol, fragrances, or harsh chemicals immediately after shaving, as these can irritate freshly shaved skin.
  • If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, consider using an ingrown hair treatment or solution containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Apply it to areas where you commonly experience ingrown hairs.
  • After shaving, especially in areas like the bikini line or underarms, opt for loose-fitting clothing to prevent friction and irritation.
  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from UV damage

FAQs

  1. Should I exfoliate before or after using shaving cream? It’s best to exfoliate before using shaving cream, as this will help remove dead skin cells and debris for a smoother, closer shave.
  2. How often should I exfoliate before or after shaving? It’s best to exfoliate no more than twice a week, whether you do it before or after shaving. Over-exfoliating can cause irritation and damage to your skin.
  3. Is it recommended to exfoliate every time I shave? It’s not necessary to exfoliate every time you shave, as this can be too harsh on your skin. Exfoliating once or twice a week is sufficient for most people, but it ultimately depends on your skin type and shaving habits.

Final Takeaway

Whether you should exfoliate before or after shaving depends on several factors, including your skin type, shaving habits, and personal preferences. Exfoliating before shaving can help prepare your skin for a smoother, closer shave, while exfoliating after shaving can help remove any remaining dead skin cells and debris. The key is to use gentle exfoliants and avoid scrubbing too hard to prevent irritation and damage to your skin.

HOW TO GET RID OF STRAWBERRY LEGS

It’s much easier than one may believe to get rid of strawberry legs, often known as those dark patches that give the appearance that your skin resembles the outside of a strawberry. However, you must first comprehend what these dots are and how they originated before you can even begin to consider remedies for getting skin that appears clearer and smoother. Therefore, even though it’s not thought to be dangerous, if you’re bothered by the presence of these black dots, there are a few techniques to stop them from appearing. You’ve come to the correct place if “How to get rid of strawberry legs” is the topic of your most recent search.

WHAT ARE STRAWBERRY LEGS

Keratosis pilaris (KP) or strawberry legs is a common skin disorder caused by an accumulation of keratin, a protein that clogs pores. Strawberry legs can be cured, but KP is incurable. Nevertheless, at-home treatments like hydrating and exfoliating your skin might lessen the appearance.

Clogged pores on the skin that resemble strawberry seeds are referred to as strawberry legs, thus the name. In contrast to the fruit, though, it’s something that women frequently want to get rid of. Strawberry legs are commonly characterized by increased pores and dark patches on the skin that correspond to the hair follicles.

WHAT CAUSE STRAWBERRY LEGS

SHAVING

Strawberry legs can occasionally result from shaving, especially when done incorrectly with old, dull blades or without shaving lotion.

In addition to causing strawberry legs, razor burns can result in folliculitis. Ingrown hairs can also occur after shaving.

These ingrown hairs can be the reason for strawberry legs in certain people. Those with thick body hair are more likely to experience this.

Occasionally, the irritation from shaving may cause the skin surrounding the follicle to darken, which accentuates the dark appearance.

CLOGGED PORES

Your legs’ skin has hundreds of pores, and just like any other pores, they can get blocked with dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

Open comedones are the term for these blocked pores. The oil inside the blocked pores oxidizes and turns black when it comes into contact with air.

Your legs may be easier to see if you have dense body hair or wider pores on them from heredity.

FOLLICULITIS

When the hair follicle becomes inflamed and occasionally infected, it is known as folliculitis.

Shaving, waxing, and other hair removal techniques that expose the hair follicle to greater danger might cause this illness.

However, it may also happen if you’ve been in contact with microorganisms yeast fungus

Folliculitis can also result from using a hot tub when the chemicals and pH levels haven’t been correctly adjusted.

Usually beginning as tiny red pimples or blisters, folliculitis can progress into crusty lesions that are difficult to heal.

Folliculitis may occasionally be associated with ingrown hairs that are having difficulty penetrating the epidermis. This may also result in the appearance of darker skin that is linked to strawberry legs.

KERATOSIS PILARIS

Keratosis pilaris is a common and benign disorder that affects the skin of the upper arms and thighs.

The small, rough, and hard-to-the-touch lumps associated with keratosis pilaris may initially resemble tiny pimples, goosebumps, or “chicken skin.”

In reality, the lumps brought on by keratosis pilaris are microscopic collections of dead epithelial (skin) cells and the protein keratin. Despite the fact that moisturizers can help, they can be dry and irritating.

Seasonal in nature, keratosis pilaris usually manifests more commonly in the dry winter months.

On the other hand, frequent swimming may cause keratosis pilaris. The chemicals in swimming pools tend to dry out the skin. If you reside in an area with little humidity, this can also be the case.

OVERLY DRY SKIN

In addition to various disorders that mimic strawberry legs, dry skin can also cause or worsen the symptoms of strawberry legs.

But dryness doesn’t automatically lead to darker pores.

It is more likely that shaving will irritate your skin if it is really dry. You run the risk of getting folliculitis, razor burn, and the infamous “strawberry legs” look as a result.

Additionally, keratosis pilaris, folliculitis, open comedones, and razor burn become more noticeable to the unaided eye when an area is dry.

HOW TO TREAT STRAWBERRY LEGS

EXFOLIANTS

Exfoliants may be used to treat strawberry legs and use chemicals that minimize pores. Seek for products with salicylic or glycolic acid listed. These components aid in reducing inflammation, removing dead skin cells, and clearing clogged pores. After exfoliating your skin, think about using keratolytic, a chemical exfoliator that aids in removing dead skin cells. Use keratolytic as directed by a dermatologist or per the label. Excessive application of the product could cause skin irritation.

HUMIDIFIER

If the air in your house tends to dry out your skin, a humidifier can assist in maintaining moisture in the air. Hydrating your skin contributes to both the prevention and treatment of KP flares. To prevent the growth of mold and germs, clean and disinfect your humidifier on a regular basis.

LASER AND LIGHT THERAPY

If your KP is persistent and not improving with at-home treatments, you may want to look into laser and light therapy. For instance, studies have shown that intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy helps patients with KP have more equal skin tone, eliminates rough skin, and lessens redness.

MOISTURIZER

After shaving your legs, especially, it’s critical to moisturize your skin to prevent KP. Look for a moisturizer that contains urea or lactic acid. To seal in moisture, make sure you apply moisturizer to damp skin no later than five minutes after taking a bath or shower. If you have dry skin, reapply during the day as necessary.

Make use of a light shaving cream. To prevent causing irritation to your skin, go for an epilator or razor that has two blades. Apply a moisturizer containing ceramides or colloidal oatmeal afterward, as these components aid in protecting and calming your skin.

RETINOIDS

A derivative of vitamin A called retinoid helps hasten the turnover of skin cells. Retinoids hence enhance skin tone and stop keratin accumulation in your pores. Retinoids are available as topical creams or as oral capsules.

STEROID CREAM

Topical steroids can help treat KP by reducing inflammation. Consider consulting a dermatologist prior to using a steroid cream. According to a review that was published in 2021, using some steroid creams could lead to an increase in sebaceous (oil) glands on the face. The researchers observed that having more oil glands could lead to more hair follicles and a worsening of KP.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

While maintaining bump-free skin on our faces is a major concern for many of us, getting the same silky-smooth results from the neck down can also be high on our list of priorities. The reason why skin issues like body acne, keratosis pilaris (KP), and “strawberry legs” are so prevalent is that so many people have bothersome lumps all over their bodies.

Small dark or pink pots that run up and down the legs are a distinctive feature of strawberry legs. Clogged pores may be the cause of strawberry legs, despite the misconception held by some that the spots are hair follicles, debris, or even blackheads. If you are desperate to get rid of strawberry legs, check out our recommended treatments.