Facial hair can be divided into two groups:
- Vellus – as the name suggests, it is a delicate, barely visible down ( vellus ) that covers not only the face but also the body (it is best seen under sunlight, especially on the cheeks, forehead or chin). It takes part in thermoregulation and evaporation of sweat from the body.
- Terminal – they are darker and thicker than down; they form eyebrows and eyelashes, but can also appear around the lips, on the chin or under the chin.
Is it necessary to shave facial hair?
Of course you don't have to! Just like in every other part of your body.
Shaving is a choice and should be dictated solely by your personal preference.
If you’re thinking about shaving your face and are wondering what the benefits are (and what the potential downsides are) – read on!
Shaving Facial Hair – The Benefits
Mechanical peeling
If you read our articles carefully, you know that mechanical peeling is one in which the layer of dead skin and impurities is removed using some abrasive agent (for example, particles in a cream or gel).
In this case, it is the razor blade that performs this function!
By shaving your face, you remove not only hair from its surface, but also excess sebum, dead skin cells, and various types of impurities. This can have a positive effect on the appearance of your skin, which will become radiant and bright.
Regular exfoliation of the skin prevents dead skin from building up and blocking pores, which reduces the risk of developing pimples or blackheads.
Convenience and savings
A properly performed shave (combined with proper skin care before, during and after) is not only a great opportunity to save time and money. The effects can be comparable to those of a treatment performed in a professional salon.
How to properly shave facial hair?
- First of all – take care of cleansing your skin . Remove any remaining makeup thoroughly!
- Just before shaving, apply a suitable shaving product to your face (e.g. cream or a delicate foam; Your KAYA oil is also great for shaving your face !).
- Use a special razor with a single blade – designed specifically for shaving your face/eyebrows/dermaplaning.
- Stretch your skin with one hand and use the razor with the other. Remember to make sure it is sharp enough – a blunt tool can easily cut you or cause irritation!
- Hold the razor at a 45-degree angle and use short, gentle strokes across your face – do not apply too much pressure.
- Shave your hair in the direction it grows . (Shaving against the grain can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs.)
- Rinse the blade with water after each stroke .
- Try to avoid repeatedly passing the razor over the same spot – this increases the risk of irritation. It is best practice to remove all hairs in a given spot with one pass.
- Once you’ve finished shaving, wash your razor thoroughly and let it air dry . Rinse your face and apply a soothing, moisturizing cream or oil.
Is it true that shaving makes hair grow back thicker and darker?
Many people also fear that shaving their hair will cause it to become thicker and grow back faster.
These are all myths – scientific research effectively debunks them.
As early as 1928, it was shown that shaving hair does not affect its growth. More recent studies echo this claim and further negate the effect of hair removal on the thickness and rate of hair regrowth.
This is because when we shave our hair, we remove parts of it from the outside, not from the inside of the skin – so we do not actually affect its structure.
After shaving, hairs may appear sharper and more pointed because the razor blades strip them of the delicate taper at their ends.
What to watch out for?
For most people, shaving properly is a completely safe practice!
Keyword: correct . Improper shaving technique promotes irritation and cuts. It can result in ingrown hairs and the development of folliculitis.
If you have acne, don't try to cut off the pimples with a razor. This leads to secondary infections and worsening of the acne (spreading of the pimples).
Created at: 04/07/2023
Updated at: 24/07/2023
