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Hair removal by shaving
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By far the most common method of temporary hair removal in the world is shaving. Shaving merely involves using a sharpened blade of one form or another, to cut the hair follicles off at the surface of the skin. Many different shaving blades are available on the market today, from disposable single use blades, to higher end products touting features such as double or triple blade heads. Advertising claims are that the use of more blades on a single head allows the hair to be cut closer to the skin, giving a smoother look, and longer lasting shave. Contrary to popular misconception, shaving has no effect on the thickness of the hair shaft. Tales that shaving causes the hair to regrow thicker and faster than it did before, are just that, tales. A researcher at Washington University Mildred Trotter, proved in 1928, that shaving did not result in any of these side effects. Having said that though, shaving can make the newly growing hair appear to be more noticeable, since it grows out with a blunt tip, instead of the normal tapering of the tip that occurs in aged hair |
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Before shaving, it is quite important to apply some form of moisturiser to the skin, to ensure that the razor easily moves along the surface, cutting the hair without damaging the skin. Different people do have preferred moisturisers, with some of the most common being shaving cream, hair conditioner, body wash, and even just water. Also popular are creams, colognes, and other skincare products for use on the skin after shaving. A reason for the popularity of shaving is that it is quite a quick process, requiring little equipment and preparation. Shaving is safe, especially with modern safety razors, and can very easily be done at home. These razors are readily available, and cost very little to buy and use. The chief disadvantage of shaving is that the effects do not last very long, varying between individuals. Some men find the need to shave a couple of times per day, although the norm is to shave daily or once every few days. Historically, one of the biggest disadvantage of shaving, was the risk of cutting the skin. Modern razors though, tend to have guides reducing the incidents of cutting while shaving to negligible amounts. Shaving has been known to cause skin irritation in some people, although this also is now a rare occurrence with modern razors made from medical grade metals. Women sometimes find that shaving causes ingrown hairs, especially when they shave around the bikini area. Men of African origin have also been known to suffer this affliction. Ingrown hairs are the result of shaving sharpening the remaining hair follicle, allowing it to grow into the skin. While anyone can readily shave at home, a lot of people still choose to visit a barber shop to have their hair shaved off. Costs of this can range from a few dollars at traditional barbers, to hundreds of dollars from specialist shaving shops, such as those found on Jermyn Street in London. Irrespective of the specific shaving products or methods you finally choose, it is important to change the blade regularly, as sharper blades do give a smoother shave, with reduced risk of cutting and irritating the skin. Tips for hair removal by shaving |
1. Wet hair swells and can therefore be easily cut
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