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By Kelly (Age 17, USA) The first time you shave can be scary; hello, you're putting a sharp razor blade to your skin. First timers often nick themselves, having to apply band-aids on their legs then take the walk of shame in a skirt. Razor burn and dry skin are common when you first begin shaving. I'm going to show you how to safely shave in 4 simple steps. You'll come out of the shower with baby soft, hair free legs every time. Begin practicing this month, and you'll have perfect legs and smooth underarms just in time for Spring. Shaving 411:
Red razor "burn", dry skin, and cuts are the bad points. Red razor burn appears when you shaved too harshly and/or quickly. Your traumatized skin immediately begins healing itself, skin covering where your hair was. This can cause it to clog and rise into bumps. Sometimes these get irritated and appear red. Excessive dry skin can happen when you shave regularly. Removing the dead skin cells can be a good point, but removing that top dead layer of skin removes natural oils. And the last pain in the neck (or armpit or leg) is nicks. “Nicks” or cuts tend to happen when you're using a sharp object close to your skin. However, there are many ways to decrease your chance of getting cut by shaving safely. It's a total myth shaving makes your hair grow back thicker. Dr. Robin Ashinoff, explains: "When you shave it, you're crossing the midshaft, so it seems like it's thicker and more coarse. But it's not." So as your hair starts to grow back, you're seeing your hair stick straight up since it's so short. When it gets back to it's normal length, it'll appear as it used to since it is lying flat. Make sure it's not a "Shaving 911": Before you begin shaving, ask a parent if they think you're mature enough to handle a razor. Warning: Some Mothers will squeal and begin calling you a "young woman" or their "little lady." If a shaving lesson is offered, definitely take it. They're total pros and learning by example right in front of you is the best. Other Moms may not be too crazy about the idea but will allow it. And then there's the group that does not feel you are ready. If you have an older sis, ask your Mom if she could teach you. If all else fails, approach your Mom again in a few months. They may change their mind when summer rolls around. Four Simple Steps to Velvet Skin You'll need: Razor (disposable, reusable, two blades, four blades, whatever feels best for you) Exfoliator (store bought or a homemade one out of kitchen sugar and water) Shaving gel or cream Lotion or oil Step one: Prep After you've washed up and shampooed, apply conditioner to your hair (on your head) if you use it. That way, your conditioner can soak into your hair while you shave. This will make for both soft legs and hair! There's another plus about leaving shaving until last; your hair will have softened up in the water, making for an easier removal. Now get out your exfoliator. Exfoliate your underarms with a dime sized amount and your legs with a quarter sized amount. If you use too much on your pits, they will become red and swollen and it increases your chances of nicking yourself. If you're wondering why exfolating is an important step, here's why: it removes dead skin so your razor doesn't pick it up and get clogged quickly. A clogged razor is difficult to get clean again and it produces a bumpy shave. But if you exfoliate first, you are providing a clean canvas. You are also softening up your hair even further. So scrub up for a minute and rinse well.
Take your favorite shaving cream or gel. A small amount of gel foams up a whole lot, making it more economical. Creams and foams are equally efficient, or even a very rich body soap. You don't need a whole boat load. Just enough to coat your skin evenly. Don't forget to go down to your ankles and go all the way up to your kneecaps. Many women don't shave their thighs as the hair is often lighter there, but feel free if your hair is darker and bothersome. Only lather up one leg at a time or you'll lose lather on one leg while you do the other. The key here is an evenly coated and slick leg for the razor to move down. Step three: Shave (your legs) I'm sure you have the classic picture in your mind of a girl in a 1950s movie with her hair in curlers with one leg on the rim of the bathtub shaving. She's going from the bottom of her ankle all the way up, against the “grain” of her leg. But the safest way to shave is exactly the opposite, beginning at the top of your leg and working your way down. There is less friction this way as this is the direction your hair grows. Shaving this way decreases all the bad points; dry skin, razor bumps, and nicks. Start below the kneecap and stroke down to your ankle. You only need a light touch. Continue until no strips of your product remain. Be sure to rinse after every strip. Do the same for your thighs if you are shaving those. Kneecaps are trickier. Make sure your leg is bent while you are doing them, so the skin is stretched. Bunched kneecaps seem to be the #1 cause of cuts. While bent, shave, keeping that light touch. Step three: Shave (your underarms) Every girl's arch nemesis. The underarm shave. Underarm hair grows in all different directions, so the shaving-with-the-grain trick won't be of much help here. I recommend shaving out of the shower and in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable to shave without looking. First off, apply your cream or gel to your pits. Next, lift your arm up towards the ceiling. Now shave with a very, very, light stroke. You will need to shave against your natural growth, with your natural growth, and most likely left-to-right and right-to-left to get the best underarm shave. It's a total pain the first ten times, but you'll be a total pro after that. Step four: Moisturize (your legs) You need to replace the moisture you just lost from shaving. If you have a really good shave cream or gel, it may do the work for you. If your legs feel lacking in shine or moisture though, feel free to apply some thick lotion. Cocoa butter lotion is always a goodie. Smells great and gets the job done. Another option is oil. Olive oil or jojoba oil are great post-shave moisturizers. Moisturized legs are also healthy ones.
Choosing a quality deodorant will soothe and moisturize your armpits. Stick deodorants tend to do the best job. Ingredients like oil and aloe are a godsend to freshly shaven (and sometimes red) pits. You may want to get dressed and then go back and apply deodorant though, otherwise it could sting, especially if you are using a clinical strength deodorant. Last Tips:
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