Shaving has several advantages, as it gives the face a cleaner and more polished look, and prevents face dryness and rashes. There is an argument that regular shaving makes a man looks younger and refreshed. Notwithstanding, it is essential to know the techniques involved in having effective shaving to prevent the side effects after shaving.
There are several questions on what to do before and after shaving and knowing what to do will help you achieve the intended results of shaving. One of the questions is the necessary time to wash the face when shaving, is it before or after?
In this article, you will understand in detail when and how to wash your face when shaving.
Should I Wash My Face Before Shaving?
There are many things to do before shaving but out of many, it’s essential to wash your face to soften your hairs, most especially wiry hairs to make it easy for you to cut through. Doing this will reduce the risk of getting razor burn while shaving.
Research has proven that men’s beards contain harmful bacteria like staphylococcus and enterococcus, and they’re capable to cause skin infections. Also, if face pores are clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria, a pimple can develop. That’s why you need to wash your face and add shaving cream before cutting to make it effectual.
Should I Wash My Face After Shaving?
What you have to do after shaving is to rinse your face with warm water to clean the remaining gel, foam, and lather from your face, and cold water after to cool the skin and constrict the open pores. This will prevent your face from being exposed and make it neat.
Don’t use soap or any skincare for a few hours after shaving. The application of this after shaving can dry your skin. That is why you’re expected to just rinse with warm or cold water instead of washing with soap or anything after.
Wash Then Shave or Shave Then Wash? Which One Beneficial?
The majority don’t know that there are several benefits of both washing the face before and after shaving. You might ask, is it necessary? Does it matter whether my face is wet or dry? What is the essence of me washing my face before and after shaving?
The fact is, irrespective of the time you want to shave, either in the morning or evening. It’s essential to make sure that your face is wet with hot water preferably to relax your skin before shaving and cold water to constrict the open pores after.
Therefore, these are the benefits of washing your face before and after shaving:
- It reduces razor bumps and ingrown hairs after shaving
- It cleanses dirt to prevent you from getting infected if you get any cuts
- It softens your hair and makes shaving easier. This would reduce the risk of getting cuts.
- It helps to get rid of large pores on the face
- It helps to remove excess sebum oil and dead skin cells which helps to prevent pimples
- It also assists in eliminating bacteria from the face
- It helps to rinse off foam and leftover soap or cream and make your face neat.
How to Shave Your Face The Right Way [Step by Step]
You need to know the tips involved in shaving your face to save yourself from the predicaments of shaving. Before you shave, you will need warm water, a razor, mirror, shaving cream or gel, a sink or basin, a towel, and so on to create a perfect shaving environment. Here is a step by step guide to shaving your face:
Step 1: Washing Face With Warm Water
It is preferable to use warm water to wash your face before shaving. This is because warm water will help you soften your hair, make shaving easier, and reduce cuts. You can also do this by taking a shower before shaving as some people prefer this to just washing face with water.
Step 2: Use a Scrub to Smooth Your Skin
Washing your face with warm water alone may not remove all sebum oil and dead skin cells away from your skin, you need to apply scrub to your face after. This will make your skin smoother, and make the shaving easier.
Step 3: Apply Shaving Cream or Gel
The next step is to apply shave cream to your cheeks, chin, upper lip, jawline, and neck to ensure less friction and minimize the risk of redness, razor burn, and irritation after shaving.
Step 4: Shave With a Clean and Sharp Razor
You must make sure that you use a clean and sharp razor to effectively cut through all the hairs. You must also position the razor in the direction that the hair grows to prevent bumps and burns after shaving.
Step 5: Rinse Your Face With Cold Water
It’s advisable to use cold water to help close the pores and make them less receptive to bacteria
Step 6: Apply Aftershave
You may consider to apply some aftershave lotion or cream which will help to soothe your skin quickly.
Step 7: Dry Up Your Razor
Make sure your razor dries up completely to prevent bacteria from growing on it. You can do this by putting it in a dry area that’s free from water.
Final Verdict
You need to wash your face before and after shaving. Depending on your choice, you can take a shower before or after shaving for the sake of ultimate comfort and you must make sure you change your razor 5 to 7 shaves to prevent yourself from bacteria in case you have a cut.
The argument is that shaving in the morning is not preferable to evening. Morning shaving exposes your skin to sun and dirt which is liable to affect your freshly shaved skin. On like the night when your skin and body heal themselves. Therefore, following all these processes will help you have a healthy shaving.
