With no access to salons these past few months, hair removal has been a topic of conversation literally everywhere, especially facial hair. While lots of girls are choosing to let their brows and facial hair grow out (hey, it’s 2020 and there’s NO room for judgement here), we’re still searching for solutions for those of you who do want to get of it. At-home threading is downright painful (not to mention complicated), and you may not find the necessary tools for waxing, so what do you do? The answer is simple – you shave!
Women have been shaving for centuries – legend has it that Marylin Monroe was a fan of it, and now, beauty gurus like Huda Khattan have normalised conversations around it again, sharing how you can safely do it through videos. We know you have tons of questions about this – is it safe? Will my hair grow back thicker? So we put them together and got Dr Kiran Sethi, celebrity dermatologist and founder, ISYA Aesthetics, to answer all of them for you.
Let’s find out why Dr Sethi thinks you shouldn’t worry too much before putting the razor to your face, and how you can do it right:
GRAZIA: Is it safe to shave your face?
DR KIRAN SETHI: Yes, it is safe as long as it’s done correctly! People have been doing this for centuries!
G: Is it true that the hair grows back thicker and darker?
DKS: The hair does not grow back thicker or darker. Our hair usually grows pointed or tapered. What happens is that when you shave, you cut the hair bluntly at an angle, which makes it appear darker or feel rougher. It cannot make the hair grow back thicker.
G: Is there a special kind of razor that you need to be using, or can you make do with a regular body razor?
DSK: You can absolutely use a regular razor right now as long as the blade is sharp. Special blades are not necessary for shaving, but the female blades with smaller mouths and curved shapes are easier to use on the face.
G: Is there a right or wrong way to do this?
DSK: The right way is to shave in the direction of hair growth. First, use a gentle cleansing lotion without foam, then shave in the direction of the growth, and moisturise with a non-comedogenic lotion.
G: What precautions should those with acne-prone skin take while shaving?
DSK: For those prone towards zits, follow the same pre-shave steps and then follow it up with antiseptic products like tea tree oil toner or a neem toner.
G: Any post-shave care tips?
DSK: Keep the skin moisturised – or it can get dry and irritated. Don’t over-shave, and don’t over-dry the skin.
G: If you do develop acne or boils after shaving, how can you deal with it?
DKS: Use a benzoyl peroxide face wash, and apply a good anti-acne lotion to prevent those zits. Also, make sure your razor is sterilised – it might be harbouring pesky bacteria.
