Shaving and hair removal, safely

Whether you shave your face, trim a beard, remove body hair or leave it all alone is a personal choice, often shaped by faith, culture and comfort. Whatever you choose, doing it properly prevents cuts, burns, razor bumps and infections. This lesson is for everyone.

Before you shave

• Wash the area with warm water and a mild cleanser (Mayo Clinic). Shaving after a shower, when hair is soft, is easiest.
• Soften the hair with a lubricating shaving cream or gel, or a warm damp cloth, for a few minutes first (Mayo Clinic). Dry shaving causes most nicks and rashes.
• Use a clean, sharp blade (Mayo Clinic, FDA). A blunt blade drags and irritates.
• Never share razors, even with family. The NHS says razors can carry blood and spread hepatitis C.

Shaving technique

• Shave in the direction your hair grows (Mayo Clinic, FDA).
• Do not stretch your skin tight while shaving, because it lets the cut hair draw back under the skin (Mayo Clinic).
• Use short strokes and rinse the blade after every stroke (Mayo Clinic).
• Afterwards, Mayo Clinic suggests a cool, wet cloth for about five minutes, then a soothing aftershave or lotion. Choose fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive.
• Shaving does not change the texture, colour or growth rate of hair (FDA). Regrowth just feels blunter.

Razor bumps and ingrown hairs

• Mayo Clinic says the main risk factor for ingrown hairs is tightly curled hair, and shaving leaves a sharp tip that can pierce the skin.
• Avoiding shaving, tweezing and waxing is the most effective prevention (Mayo Clinic), so growing a beard or trimming instead of shaving is a valid medical choice.
• If you use an electric razor or clippers, skip the closest setting and hold them slightly away from the skin (Mayo Clinic).
• An occasional ingrown hair is not a concern, but see a doctor if bumps do not clear up or keep coming back (Mayo Clinic).
• Do not pick at bumps with tweezers or nails; you can break the skin and let infection in.

Hair removal creams

• Depilatory creams dissolve the hair at the surface, so regrowth is usually slower than after shaving but faster than after waxing (Cleveland Clinic).
• Always do a patch test first and read the ingredient list (Cleveland Clinic, FDA).
• Use the right product for the area: do not use a leg cream on your face or intimate areas (Cleveland Clinic). Never use them on eyebrows, around the eyes or on inflamed or broken skin (FDA).
• Time it strictly. Packs typically allow about 5 to 10 minutes; leaving it on longer raises the risk of chemical burns (Cleveland Clinic).
• Rinse off completely and use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser afterwards. Avoid creams if your skin is sunburnt or you use retinoid products (Cleveland Clinic).

Waxing, threading, epilating and laser

• Test wax on a small area first, and do not wax over moles, warts or irritated, chapped or sunburnt skin (FDA). Waxing and similar methods can cause irritation and infection.
• Threading and waxing are often done in salons. Choose clean, licensed premises and check that tools and wax are not shared between customers in a way that touches broken skin.
• Tweezing can trigger ingrown hairs too (Mayo Clinic), so pluck in the direction of growth and stop if the area gets red and sore.
• Laser hair removal and electrolysis should be done by trained, licensed practitioners; the FDA warns of risks including blistering, scarring and infection from poor technique or unsterile equipment.
• Avoid the sun on treated skin, and wear sunscreen, while it heals (FDA).

Faith, culture and respect

• Grooming norms differ between families, faiths and cultures, and none is more 'correct' than another. If you have questions about religious practice, ask a family member or a qualified scholar or faith leader.
• In shared bathrooms, do private grooming in private and leave the sink, shower and floor free of hair afterwards.
• Never comment on someone else's body hair, beard or choice not to remove hair.
• Keep your own small grooming kit (razor or clippers, tweezers, small scissors) and never lend it out.