Face Shaving For Women: A Step-By-Step Guide, Benefits, Pros and Cons

We HATE peach fuzz—do you? Well, even if it doesn't bother you all that much, face shaving offers umpteen benefits: smooth skin, non-cakey foundation, improved skin texture, and more. And, while there's no compulsion to shave (for all your pro-body hair people out there), there's no harm in doing so either. Lately, our social media feeds have been flooded with videos on how to shave your face using a razor. 

If you're hesitant to take this step, we *totally* get it. Should you be getting a professional dermaplaning treatment instead? To answer all your questions—and know everything that there is about face shaving for women—Cosmo got in touch with grooming experts from LetsShave and Sanfe, who touch upon all things that can help you achieve super-smooth, hair-free skin. 

"Unwanted hair on regions such as the upper lip, chin, and cheeks—often aggravated due to hormonal imbalances—have been a major cause of concern for women across the globe. And, with a dozen hair removal options available in the market, varying in terms of cost, effectiveness, safety, and difficulty, it can be tricky to find one that is best suited to your skin," says an expert from Sanfe. 

Ms Aswari Pawar, CMO, LetsShave, adds, "There's the common belief that shaving increases the risk of cuts and infections causing redness and pigmentation, and makes the hair grow back thicker and darker. Here's some real talk: shaving is a super convenient way to get rid of unwanted hair and peach fuzz. The Japanese have been doing it for years!"

 

But First, How to Use a Face Razor Correctly?

 

1. Purchase a brand new, clean razor designed for women. Make sure that it has serrated blade edges to avoid the risk of getting nicks and cuts, as well as a rubberized handle for a firm and anti-slip grip.

2. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water and a gentle face wash to soften the hair, making it easy to shave. Make sure the facial cleanser is paraben-free, sulphate-free, and alcohol-free. Avoid using hot water as it may harm your skin.

3. Apply a light moisturiser, Aloe Vera gel or transparent shave gel to form a thin layer between the skin and the razor to reduce friction and avoid post-shave skin irritation. Don't use soap and water as they may dry out your skin.

4. Holding the face razor at an angle of 45 degrees, pull the skin taut and shave in the direction of your hair growth with light and gentle strokes. This will prevent nicks, cuts, and ingrown hair. To avoid redness and inflammation, don't go over the same area multiple times.

5. Splash your face with cool water to wash off any extra hair lurking around, and pat dry with a clean towel. Don't rub the towel harshly against your face.

6. Finish off by applying a hydrating moisturiser or an alcohol-free aftershave balm to soothe your skin.

 

What are the Benefits of Face Shaving?

 

1. Lightly exfoliates your skin to remove the build-up of dead skin cells.

2. Removes dryness and flakiness to reveal rejuvenated, glowing skin. 

3. Prevent breakouts and keeps fine lines at bay.

4. Provides a flawless base for makeup application. 

5. Allows for greater absorption of skincare products, thus increasing their effectiveness.

 

What are the Pros and Cons of Face Shaving?

 

Pros:

1. An inexpensive, readily available hair removal technique.

2. Painless and easy to perform. 

3. Relatively less time-consuming. 

 

Cons:

1. Risk of cuts, abrasions, razor burn, or irritation to sensitive skin.

2. Potential for ingrown hairs.

3. Relatively faster regrowth.