Shaving

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Image:Shaving2.jpg Shaving is the practice of removing body hair using a razor.

Shaving is a common method of depilation, and is most commonly used by men to remove their facial hair and sometimes chest hair, abdominal hair, or pubic hair; and by women to remove their leg hair, underarm (armpit) hair or other bodily hair. Women and men may also shave the hair off of the top of their heads, but this is a much more common practice in men. Shaving the head is often associated with the military and competitive sports such as swimming and extreme sports.

1 History
2 Shaving methods
3 Shaving aids
4 Side effects of shaving
5 Aftershave
6 Cuts
7 See also
8 External links

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History

Before the advent of razors, some humans removed hair using two sea shells to pull the hair out. Later, around 3,000 BC, when copper tools were developed, humans developed copper razors. The idea of an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene may have begun at this time, though Egyptian priests may have practiced something similar to this earlier.

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Shaving methods

Shaving can be done with an electric razor or a manual razor. If a non-electric razor is used, some lathering or lubricating agent such as shaving cream, soap, gel, foam or shaving oil is normally applied to the area to be shaved first, to avoid a painful razor burn. These lubricate the area to be shaved, moisturize the skin, and lift, soften and swell the hairs so that after they dry, the ends may even recede below the skin surface.

Manual razors are available in many different styles: disposable, disposable cartridge, straight razor, and safety. Some forms of women's razors have no blade at all, and use chemicals to break down and remove the hairs.

Below is a list of standard, safe methods for shaving facial (and other) hairs:

Always soak your face with mild soap and hot water for at least 3 minutes (or after a hot shower) before you shave.
Use a good shaving cream, gel or shaving oil. Apply, form a lather and leave it for 1-2 minutes before beginning to shave.
Use light, gentle strokes. Do not swipe an area twice without moistening it with cream lather. Do not shave opposite to the direction of hair growth.
To minimize irritation, use good shaving equipment.
With a disposable blade system, use fresh blades for a smoother, more comfortable shave. Multi-blade devices often give closer shaves with fewer cuts. When using a straight razor, be sure that it is freshly stropped.
Rinse the blades frequently to prevent buildup of hairs.
Finish up by rinsing face and neck with cool water and pat dry.
Use a post-shave conditioner to lock moisture into the skin.

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Shaving aids

Shaving without the aid of shaving cream, gel, soap, or oil is known as dry shaving. Electric razors are typically used without external shaving aids, and were originally called dry shavers. However modern electric razors often lubricate the skin slightly.

The removal of a full beard often requires the use of an electric (or beard) trimmer to reduce the mass of hair, and simplify the process.

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Side effects of shaving

Shaving can have numerous side effects, including cuts, abrasions, and irritation. Some people with curly hair have an adverse response to shaving called pseudofolliculitis barbae, or "razor bumps" due to ingrown hairs. Many side effects can be minimized by using a fresh blade, plenty of lubrication, and avoiding pressing down with the razor. Some people choose to use only single-blade or wire-wrapped blades that shave farther away from the skin. Others cannot use razors at all and use shaving powders to dissolve hair above the skin's surface.

Many people traditionally believed that shaving would cause the hair shaved to become thicker and darker. However, this bit of conventional wisdom happens to be false. The resulting stubble only makes the hairs seem to be thicker, as a shaved hair has a blunt end as opposed to the tapered end of an unshaven hair, and because hair is often darker in color near the root. Clinical studies have demonstrated that shaving does not have an effect on hair growth rates or density (see medical data below).

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Aftershave

Many men use an aftershave lotion after they have finished shaving. It may contain an antiseptic agent such as alcohol to prevent infection from cuts, a perfume to enhance scent, and a moisturizer to soften the skin.

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Cuts

Cuts from shaving may bleed for around 15 minutes. Common ways to stop bleeding include putting some alcohol on a cotton swab and pressing it onto the cut until the bleeding stops as well as tearing off a small piece of toilet paper and placing it onto the cut. Another method of stopping bleeding from shaving cuts is to use a styptic pencil. Another lesser known method consists of placing a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the cut after most of the bleeding has ended. This stops the bleeding without forming a scab.

Individuals who cut themselves shaving while in the shower stop bleeding much more quickly.

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