What happens when you shave?

Why does the hair feel different afterwards?

Each hair grows from a follicle, the structure surrounding its root and strand. Shaving cuts the visible hair rather than removing its root, so the razor has done a trim, not an eviction. Instead of a longer hair's fine, tapered tip, you feel a short cut end that resists bending. The thicker, darker base is also more noticeable. As the hair gets longer, its softer texture returns.1

Hair can grow above the skin again within hours or a few days. How long the stubble stage lasts depends on the body area and how quickly your hair grows. Moisturizing helps reduce the prickly feel of dry hair; applying moisturizer after a shower is a useful time to do it.12

What happens to your skin?

Shaving is usually painless when done correctly, but cuts, nicks and razor burn can happen. Frequent shaving can irritate skin. Shaving cream softens hair, moisturizes skin and adds a protective layer between skin and blade. That layer gives the razor something to glide over, rather than making bare skin host the entire operation. For sensitive skin, choose gentle shaving products rather than soap.23

Razor bumps happen when cut hairs grow back into the skin and trigger inflammation. Coarse or curly hair is more prone to this, and razor bumps are more common in darker skin tones. They can occur on the face, neck, legs, underarms or pubic area. Razor bumps are not automatically an infection, but infection can develop alongside them. Persistent bumps can leave dark marks or scars.45

How do you shave with less irritation?

1. 1Wash the area with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Shaving at the end of a shower helps soften the hair.
2. 2Apply shaving cream or gel and allow about two minutes for it to soften the hair. Keep the cream wet while shaving.
3. 3Use a sharp blade. Shave in the direction the hair grows, using short strokes without stretching the skin or pressing hard.
4. 4Aim for one pass over each area. Rinse the blade after each stroke to remove hair and cream.
5. 5Rinse away the shaving cream, then use a cool, wet cloth to reduce irritation. Finish with moisturizer.
6. 6Dry the razor and store it somewhere dry rather than leaving it in the shower. Replace blades when they become blunt; a single blade razor generally needs replacing after five to seven shaves.

How often should you shave?

Maintaining the result can mean shaving daily or every few days. If skin is irritated, stop shaving until it settles. For general ingrown hair prevention, avoid daily shaving if possible and leave at least 1 mm of stubble. For men with darker skin tones and beard razor bumps who need to keep shaving, a different approach uses daily shaving or shaving every two to three days to prevent hairs growing long enough to curl inward. Switching to an electric shaver is another option.23456

What should you stop for, and when should you get help?

Stop using an aftershave that burns or stings. Do not pick, squeeze or scratch ingrown hairs. See a doctor if a bump or the surrounding skin is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a fever or feel shivery or very unwell. See a dermatologist if razor bumps continue despite changing your technique. If you stop shaving your beard, improvement takes weeks rather than days: fewer bumps are expected within a month, with clearing taking up to three months.46