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If you’re like most people, you probably have a routine for getting ready for your day. Maybe you shower in the morning, shave, and then get dressed. But have you ever wondered if you’re doing things in the right order? Should you shave before you shower, or after? should you exfoliate before or after shaving?
It turns out that the order in which you do things can make a big difference to your skin.
For example, if you shave before you exfoliate, you could be trapping dead skin cells and hair follicles underneath your skin. But if you exfoliate before you shave, you can remove those dead skin cells and make for a closer shave.
So which is better? Should you exfoliate before or after shaving? Let’s take a closer look.
Table Of Contents
Should You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?
We often think of exfoliation and shaving as two completely separate grooming tasks. But if you think about it, they actually have a lot in common. Both exfoliation and shaving remove dead skin cells and can help improve the appearance of your skin. So, which should you do first?
Exfoliation
Exfoliating before you shave can help to lift up any dead skin cells that might be clinging to the hair on your legs. This can help to prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. It can also help to make your shave closer and smoother.
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To exfoliate your legs before shaving, start by wetting them with warm water. This will help to soften the skin and hair. Then, using a loofah, exfoliating glove, or sugar scrub, gently scrub your legs in a circular motion. Rinse off the scrub with warm water and pat your legs dry.
Shaving
Now that your legs are exfoliated and super smooth, it’s time to shave. Start by applying shaving cream or gel to your legs. This will help to lubricate the skin and hair, making it easier for the razor to glide over your skin.
With a sharp razor, start shaving your legs in the direction of hair growth. Be sure to go slowly and be careful around sensitive areas like the ankles and knees. Rinse off your legs with cool water and apply a post-shave lotion or oil to help soothe the skin.
So, should you exfoliate before or after shaving?
It turns out that the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. It depends on your skin type and the type of razor you’re using.
If you have sensitive skin, you might want to exfoliate before shaving. This will help to remove any dead skin cells that could clog up your razor and cause irritation.
If you have thick, coarse hair, you might want to exfoliate after shaving. This will help to prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Exfoliating before you shave can help to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. And shaving after you exfoliate will give you the closest, smoothest shave possible.
Just make sure to use a gentle exfoliator so you don’t irritate your skin.
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Should You Exfoliate Before or After Waxing?
We get it, you’re excited to get rid of that unwanted hair. But before you grab the wax strip, there’s one more important step you need to take into consideration… exfoliation! Whether you’re waxing your legs, arms, bikini line, or anywhere else, you should always make sure to exfoliate beforehand.
Exfoliating before you wax helps to remove any dead skin cells that could prevent the wax from properly adhering to the hair.
This step is especially important if you’re working with sensitive skin, as exfoliation will help to reduce the risk of irritation.
Not sure when the best time to exfoliate is? We recommend doing it the night before or the morning of your waxing appointment.
This will give your skin time to recover from any exfoliation-related irritation and will ensure that your hair is properly prepped for waxing.
So, there you have it! The next time you’re getting ready for wax, make sure to exfoliate first. Your skin will thank you for it!
What Type of Exfoliation Should I Choose (Chemical or Physical)?
There are two types of exfoliation: chemical and physical.
Physical exfoliation
The best type of exfoliation to use when shaving is physical exfoliation. This type of exfoliation will remove the dead skin cells that can build up on the surface of your skin and cause razor burn.
Razor burn is caused by the razor blades dragging across the surface of your skin, which can irritate the skin and cause redness and inflammation.
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Physical exfoliation will also help to lift the hair follicles up so that the razor can get a closer shave. This will help to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
To physically exfoliate your skin before shaving, you can use a loofah or a dry brushing.
Chemical exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation is another type of exfoliation, but it is not as effective as physical exfoliation when shaving. Chemical exfoliants work by dissolving the bonds between the dead skin cells. This can help to improve the appearance of your skin by making it look brighter and smoother.
However, since the dead skin cells are not actually removed, they can still build up on the surface of your skin and cause razor burn.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid using a physical exfoliant before shaving. This type of exfoliation can be too harsh for sensitive skin and can cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you can try using a chemical exfoliant instead.
When exfoliating your skin before shaving, be sure to use gentle circular motions. Do not scrub your skin too hard, as this can cause irritation. After you have exfoliated your skin, be sure to follow up with a moisturizer to help soothe your skin.
How to Safely Exfoliate Your Skin Before Shaving
We all know how important it is to properly care for our skin, especially when it comes to shaving. Exfoliating before shaving helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reveal fresh, new skin. This allows for a closer, smoother shave and helps to prevent razor burn.
But what’s the best way to exfoliate? We’ve got you covered with some tips on how to safely exfoliate your skin before shaving.
- First, it’s important to choose the right exfoliating product. There are a variety of exfoliating products on the market, so it’s important to choose one that’s suitable for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, look for an exfoliating product that’s gentle and won’t irritate your skin.
- Next, wet your skin with warm water to soften it and make it easier to exfoliate. Apply the exfoliating product to your skin using circular motions. Be sure to avoid any cuts or scrapes you may have.
- After you’ve exfoliated your skin, it’s important to moisturize it. This will help to soothe any irritation and hydrate your skin.
Following these tips, you can safely exfoliate your skin and enjoy a closer, smoother shave.
How Can I Care for My Skin After Shaving?
There are a few things you can do to take care of your skin after shaving.
- Always moisturize your skin after shaving. This will help soothe any irritation and replenish moisture that was lost during the shaving process.
- Avoid using hot water when cleansing your skin after shaving. Hot water can further irritate already sensitive skin.
- Gently pat your skin dry after cleansing. Avoid rubbing, as this can also irritate the skin.
- If you are prone to ingrown hairs, exfoliate your skin regularly to help prevent them.
- Use a protective cream or lotion before shaving to help reduce irritation.
- Use a sharp razor to avoid tugging at your hair and irritating your skin.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid ingrown hairs.
- Rinse your razor often while shaving to avoid the build-up of shaving cream and hair on the blade.
- Avoid shaving over the same area multiple times.
- Apply a soothing post-shave balm or lotion to help calm your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you exfoliate before or after cleansing?
It is best to exfoliate after cleansing, as this will help to remove any dirt or makeup that may be left on the skin.
Is it OK to exfoliate daily?
While it is safe to exfoliate daily, you may not need to do so every day. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to exfoliate every other day or every few days.
Can over-exfoliating cause inflammation?
Yes, over-exfoliating can cause inflammation, redness, and irritation. If you notice any of these signs, reduce the frequency with which you exfoliate.
Is It Better to Shave With or Without Shaving Cream?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some people find that shaving with shaving cream helps to reduce razor burn, while others find that it is not necessary. If you are prone to razor burn, you may want to try shaving with shaving cream to see if it makes a difference.
How Can I Avoid Razor Burn?
There are a few things you can do to avoid razor burn.
- First, make sure you are using a sharp razor. A dull razor can cause irritations.
- Second, try to shave in the direction your hair grows. This will help reduce the chances of razor burn.
- Finally, use a moisturizing shaving cream or gel to help protect your skin.
How Can I Make My Shaving Routine More Efficient?
There are a few things you can do to make your shaving routine more efficient.
- First, using shaving cream or gel can help reduce the amount of time you spend shaving.
- Second, try to shave in the direction your hair grows. This will help reduce the amount of time you spend shaving.
- Finally, use a sharp razor to help reduce the amount of time you spend shaving.
Conclusion
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to exfoliating before or after shaving. It really depends on your preference and what works best for your skin.
However, we think exfoliating before shaving gives you the closest shave possible, and it’s definitely worth a try!
