How does shaving exfoliate

To shed the old to make way for the new. Snakes shed their skin a few times per year to allow for new growth. This sloughing helps reveal fresh, new skin underneath. Humans also naturally slough away dead skin to make way for the new, and the purpose is the same — promoting new skin growth. Beyond the natural methods, we can also help this process along by exfoliating our own skin. Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the face and body using different methods, such as scrubs and washcloths.

Cosmetologists will perform deep exfoliation treatments, such as microdermabrasion, to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. When you have sensitive skin like I do, use a cream like Harry's Shave Cream to create a barrier between the razor and your face. Hold the skin taut and position the razor at a degree angle. Finally, start with shaving once a week and up the frequency as needed. For more precise control of each stroke, I used a FROMM eyebrow razor , which has a small blade and built-in safety guard.

I shaved only one side of my face to start, so I could compare. The result? The shaved skin was a little bit red for about a half an hour, but there was also a visible change in texture—so much so that my foundation and powder actually looked smoother than usual when I applied them. And, of course, my peach fuzz was gone, which made a subtle but notable difference.

Gift Now Treat Yourself. A splash of cold water should lessen the initial redness and prevent irritation later in the day.

When to Exfoliate Best practice is to exfoliate before shaving, rather than after. Exfoliating pushes dirt and dead skin out of the way, which allows the razor to glide more smoothly over the skin. Lastly, exfoliating before shaving gives the Shave Butter or Shave Cream the opportunity to cozy up against the skin and provide more protection against razor bumps and irritation, which is always a plus.

Michael Swann. As for that old adage about shaving making your hair grow back twice as thick, Dr. Swann has some great news: "Shaving isn't bad and doesn't cause hairs to grow thicker or faces to look more masculine. Swann notes that many procedures, such as threading and dermaplaning, are similar to shaving with a non-electric razor. That said, Dr. Swann adds that "women with dark hairs can sometimes get a 5 o'clock shadow, which can be masculinizing.