Taking care of acne while shaving can be a tricky process for men. The first and foremost task is to examine the skin thoroughly to see if you have acne. If you have cystic and painful acne, then it is better to skip shaving until your skin calms down. If there is no acne but your skin is prone to acne, then by observing proper measures, you can shave easily without fearing post-shaving acne. Being extremely patient with your skin while shaving is the most important thing to do. Scrutinise your razor and see if it is suitable for acne-prone skin. Take care of the hygiene of the products and your skin before shaving to avoid unnecessary burning sensations or maybe in worst cases an infected cut and other difficulties.
What Do You Need for an Effortless Shave?
There are a few essentials that you will need to shave acne-prone skin effortlessly. Some of the most important things you must have readily available are:
Exfoliating Cleanser
A cleanser plays an essential role in managing acne-prone skin, especially when it comes to shaving. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser on your skin to remove dirt and excess oil production. For shaving, having clean skin is the basic prerequisite.
Check out Man Company’s activated charcoal scrub for a clean look!
Light Moisturiser
Moisturiser plays an essential role after the shaving process is complete. However, light moisturisers are preferred, as acne-prone skin is usually prone to issues caused by heavy moisturisers.
Anti-Acne Shaving Cream
The shaving cream you use should be anti-acne to reduce the chances of post-shaving acne. These creams are specifically made for this skin type to reduce irritation and provide proper gliding strokes.
You can certainly check out Spruce Shave Club’s natural shaving gel for men.
Razor with Closely Spaced Blades
You should try using a sharp-bladed razor, and it should be multi-bladed. This ensures that all of the hair is removed in one pass, saving you from having to re-run the razor over your skin multiple times. This could lead to severe complications, including cuts or scratches.
You may consider the Gillette Fusion manual razor for men for a close shaving experience.
Steps to take before shaving
Prepping the skin nicely before shaving is the primary step for men with acne-prone skin. First, use a gentle exfoliating cleanser that will remove all the dirt and impurities from the skin and unclog the pores on your skin. This will ensure that you get a uniform shave across the contours of your face. You can use a physical exfoliator like a scrub, or you can also try chemical exfoliators, which are better than physical ones like AHAs and BHAs.
Shaving Process
Apply a thin layer of anti-acne shaving cream on the shaving area. Anti-acne shaving cream is the best for people with acne-prone skin, as it is specifically designed for the purpose and has the proper ingredients for this skin type.
Use a multi-bladed, sharp razor with closely spaced blades. This eliminates the need for multiple razor cuts in the same area and allows you to remove the hair in a single pass.
As you must know, facial hair doesn’t grow in the same direction. So, shave in whatever order feels comfortable to you. Make sure to tighten your skin while shaving to avoid any cuts.
Avoid shaving near the acne area, as any cuts can lead to bleeding and subsequent infection. If necessary, try giving a single stroke to remove hair from the acne-affected area.
Try using a razor with a light touch on your skin. If you use a razor with a lot of force, your skin will be more prone to breakouts.
Another tip for shaving with acne-prone skin is to spread the cream with a shaving brush instead of your hands while applying the shaving cream. It will make your hair stand straight, making it easier to shave in one stroke. If your skin still feels irritated and has burning sensations after following all the steps, avoid shaving and trim your beard.
Steps to take after shaving
Once you are done shaving, wash your face with lukewarm water, gently. Next, apply a light moisturizer to your damp skin. Never forget to apply moisturizer. Otherwise, it can cause skin damage, making your skin more prone to breakouts.
It is highly recommended that you use a good-quality after-shave lotion after you are done shaving. This will not only soothe your skin but also prevent any infection from spreading through open cuts. Your skin may burn slightly when applying the after-shave lotion, but this is completely normal and will fade after a few seconds.
Shaving Precautions for Men with Acne-Prone Skin
Shaving is not as simple as it may look at first glance. You must follow various precautions to ensure a hassle-free and injury-free shaving experience. Some of the most useful shaving tips for acne-prone skin are provided below.
Cleanse your skin
As mentioned above, cleaning your skin must be the first and most crucial step of your shaving routine. Cleaning properly will help remove all the unnecessary dirt and impurities from the skin.
Use a clean razor
This is one of the most important shaving tips for acne-prone skin. Always use a clean and new razor while shaving your beard for better hygiene. Only select the best product for yourself based on the intensity of the acne you have.
Use alcohol-free products
The shaving products that you will use should be alcohol-free. Alcohol-containing products can irritate your acne and worsen it further. Instead, try using products with aloe vera and tea tree oil, which help soothe the skin before, during, and after the shaving process.
Shave with the grain
Start shaving patiently in the direction that feels most comfortable to you. Hold your skin tight as you shave to avoid unnecessary cuts and bumps on your skin. Shaving against the grain can lead to complications like in-grown hair, making the shaving experience a hassle later.
Risks for Men Shaving on Acne-Prone Skin
The main risk for people shaving on acne-prone skin is post-shaving acne. You can face complications like irritated skin, burning sensations, small bumps, redness, and several others. If you are not patient while shaving and shave too quickly just for the sake of doing it, you might experience all the skin issues mentioned above.
Razor bumps are very common after shaving. These can be avoided by exfoliating your skin correctly and moisturising it immediately after shaving. Improper shaving causes razor bumps and can also lead to ingrown hairs that can become very problematic if not taken care of properly. According to the research, razor bumps get cleared up automatically after one or two days of shaving and usually occur in Asian people due to excess sebum production.
Conclusion
Shaving quickly can cause acne, small bumps, unnecessary cuts, and clogged pores. Always remember that shaving on acne-prone skin requires patience, and you can achieve a perfect shaved look without acne only by following all the shaving tips for acne-prone skin. Shaving can become a hassle-free experience for you if you closely follow all the shaving tips for acne-prone skin shared above. Ensure that you always use the best quality products to get the desired results and avoid any negative impact on your skin. Stay safe and stay healthy.