Acne and Shaving

Shaving is a great method of exfoliating or removing dead skin, and helps to prevent acne and keep it from spreading for some people, shaving eliminates whiteheads and blackheads. One should be extremely careful to not shave irritated areas with large visible acne breakouts. This can spread infection. Shaving creams containing oil should be avoided; generally sensitive skin solutions are much more effective.

There are shaving methods that will increase safety, and the following is one example method:
Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin, moisten the skin with warm water before applying the shaving cream liberally and lather. Use a very sharp razorblade. When shaving, it is important to use short gentle strokes rather than long and hard strokes. Doing this will allow you to avoid irritating acne prone areas. Shave downward, with the hair growth.  Everyone has a best razor choice, it is important to try different razors, single and double blades and electric razors. Shaving in the shower is recommended as it adds moisture to the skin.  Using an aftershave is a good idea, as it eliminates bacteria on the skin and prevents and infection of nicked skin areas. Skin toners will close pores and kill germs. Here are additional suggestions: antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel astringent, Dalacin T is one mild alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide is available in a gel form and Salicylic Acid is available in a topical gel.
Shaving Tip: Electric razors tend to not nick the skin and although they may not shave close to the skin; they help to prevent acne and other skin breakouts.
Shaving Tip: Single bladed razors are better than multiple blades because they do not pull the hair up and out of the hair follicle which can irritate the skin. Using a multiple blade shaver causes your skin to have to heal itself in the shaving process, and it may cause hair to grow abnormally from the follicle. It can also cause inflammation in the areas where hairs don’t grow correctly.