7 mistakes you make when you shave and how to fix them

It's not often we have the luxury of time to enjoy a well-prepped shave, but not spending the extra time on prepping and shaving right is only going to leave you with ingrown hairs, nicks, razor burns, or a shave that simply isn't close enough. To make sure you're doing the best possible thing for your skin, these are the mistakes to avoid.

#1 Forgetting to exfoliate beforehand

It's rare we have the time for a good scrub in the morning, so shaving at night is preferable (plus, it's more difficult to shave with any accuracy when you're feeling cold and bleary in the morning). A good exfoliating session lifts the hairs you want to shave if any of them might be ingrown or covered by dead skin cells, and preps your skin for the smoothest possible shave.

#2 Shaving at the start of your shower

Again, it's an issue of time. Waiting till the end of a warm shower to shave means the hairs are going to be much softer and easier to shave, which is easier on the skin as well. The heat and steam also opens your pores, making it easier to get a close shave. Avoid cold showers or shaving when your legs have raised goosebumps that can give way to permanent razor bumps.

#3 Not changing blades frequently enough

Sometimes we can't help it, especially if we've run out of spare blades and forgotten to stock up on new ones. But that doesn't change the fact that nothing gives you a smoother and closer shave than a brand new set of blades. It also stands to reason that a better quality razor will always be kinder to your skin than a cheap disposable one.

#4 Shaving the same spot too many times

There's something satisfying about shaving in long perfect lines that cut through all the shaving foam, but you might find that the razor ends up missing some hairs and that you've got to go over the same area a few times. The trick to getting the best shave with the least amount of razor burn is shaving in shorter strokes and making sure to rinse the blade in between. Rinsing the blade with warm or hot water will also make the shave smoother.

#5 Going against the grain when hair is long

Sometimes we wait ages to shave and get to the stage where the hairs have gotten quite long. If you've been there and experienced any snagging of hair on the razor, you'll know that longer and coarser hair is more prone to snagging, especially if your razor isn't at its sharpest. You want to shave in the same direction as the hair growth first to get rid of most of the hair, and then against the grain to clean up.

#6 Shaving with the wrong products

Shaving cream or gel isn't a superfluous product marketed to get you to spend more money. Shaving with plain water is a complete no-no to begin with, and most body soaps are too drying on your skin and don't provide enough of a protective slip between the razor and your skin. Investing in a good shaving gel or cream will give you a great layer of lather that improves the quality of your shave, with some formulas even being designed for sensitive skin. You can use a thicker hair conditioner in a pinch as it has enough glide to it, but avoid body soaps and shampoos.

#7 Not moisturising after

Moisturising your legs after you shave them can help prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Avoid fragrances or sprays containing alcohol immediately as the astringent can sting on sensitive shaved skin, but a gentle moisturiser shouldn't give you any issues. Besides, no one wants to have dry scaly skin on their legs!

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