Shaving upwards on face cuts your hair way closer to your skin or sometimes even beneath it that might lead to ingrown hair. This, in turn, gives you big and visible razor bumps that ruin your look.
When you shave in the opposite direction, you can get ingrown hair and even harsh growth. Also, shaving against the grain will cause skin irritation and even razor bumps.
Shave in both directions
Shaving against the grain – i.e. up the leg – supposedly gives a closer shave, but it also increases the risk of nicks, cuts and bumps. It's best to start by shaving down the leg, in the direction of the hair's growth.
Although shaving against the grain can ensure a close shave in relatively less time, it increases the risk of getting razor bumps and skin irritation. You should consider shaving with the grain for reducing the chances of skin irritation and razor bumps or ingrown hair.
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth.
Marc Glashofer, a dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, claims that the texture of pubic hair tends to be thicker and more coarse than hair on the rest of our body because of its origins as a buffer. “It prevents friction during intercourse that can cause skin abrasion and rashes,” he says.
Myth 4: Pubic hair never stops growing
Your pubic hair won't keep growing forever to endless lengths. Pubic hair stops growing when it reaches a certain point. The length at which it halts varies from person to person, but it stops between 0.5 to two inches.
It's advice that skincare experts endorse. Shaving against the grain usually produces a closer shave and faster results - but is also more likely to cause irritation than shaving with the grain, says Matthew Gass from the British Association of Dermatologists.
Go slowly, pulling skin taut before running the razor over the hair. Always shave in the same direction that the hair grows, not against it. Change razors often to avoid nicks, which happen when the blade gets dull. Using shaving cream also may help protect your skin from cuts and irritation.
Shaving against the grain tends to pull the hair follicle up and away from the skin, which runs an increased chance of razor burn or skin irritation being left behind. We recommend shaving against the grain only in the areas of your face where there is stubble left over from your few passes with the grain.
Folliculitis is typically caused by bacteria. Folliculitis causes red and white pimples to grow around the hair follicle resulting in that prickly feeling after shaving. Rest assured, mild cases of folliculitis should clear on its own within a number of days.
Straight up, there is no science to support a reason not to shave above the knee, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Some women don't feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg.
To avoid strawberry legs, try shaving in the direction of hair growth. Avoid passing over the same area too many times, which will irritate the skin. Also, be careful not to stretch your skin tight while shaving. When done, Tobia adds, "Pat your legs dry—rubbing can irritate your skin—and apply a moisturizer or oil.
Raise your chin and place two fingers above your Adam's apple; the top half is your index finger, and the bottom is your middle finger. Shave the top half at your usual setting then set your beard trimmer to a slightly lower setting and shave the bottom half.
Shaving after showering
This is because the hot shower water cleanses your skin: the steam opens up your pores, flushing out the dirt that has accumulated since your last shower, and causes your hair follicles to soften - making it easier for you to enjoy a closer, more comfortable shave, with fewer passes.
“There is no right or certain age to start shaving,” said Rashell Orey, a licensed master social worker at Banner Health. “Some may be eager to start very early, while for others, this could be a scary thought. It's a conversation that you'll need to discuss with them.”
Trimming with scissors Using scissors can be a safe way to give the pubic area a well-groomed look. Since the operation does not come into contact with the skin, trimming the pubic hair with scissors has a relatively low risk of injury.
The practice of removing female body hair is not new, it can be traced back to ancient Rome and Egypt. Some of the first razors, made of copper, were used in Egypt and India around 3000 BCE. Egyptian women removed their head hair and considered pubic hair uncivilized.
When you shave, the razor not only removes the hair from your face but a very thin layer of the dead skin cells from the topmost layer of your skin as well. This not only gives your face a much-needed rejuvenation but also makes you feel a lot fresher and energised, especially if you have a proper shaving routine.
You might need to shave your upper cheeks and neck area once every 10 days to two weeks to keep your beard looking neat and tidy. You should also use a beard trimmer to maintain the length and shape of your beard at least once every two weeks.
Shaving exfoliates by removing the dead cells every time the razor glides across the surface of the skin. Nazarian says that if you stop shaving, you will accumulate a layer of skin at the top of the epidermis, making it a little tougher for products like moisturizers to penetrate and be effective.
Lice eggs (nits) are often easier to see than live lice. They look like tiny yellow or white dots attached to the pubic hair, close to the skin. Nits can look like dandruff. But you can't pick them off with your fingernail or brush them away.
Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.
Pubic hair may extend out to their thighs, and some girls may have a line of hair up to their belly button. Most girls attain their peak height by age 16, but some may continue growing through age 20.