How to shave for the first time

Make sure the razor is sharp and new. Old razors do not glide on the skin and may leave painful cuts. (Source: Pixabay)

Not a lot many people prefer using the blade over other hair removal methods, because they fear the shave might not be good enough, and the hair that will grow back, will be coarse. As such, they stay away from the blade and try different methods, including waxing, sugaring, using the epilator, or even natural home remedies.

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But, the process of shaving is not as daunting as it may seem. If you are not sure how to go about it and are doing it for the first time, here are some simple tips to keep in mind. Read on.

* Make sure the razor is sharp and new. Old razors do not glide on the skin and may leave painful cuts here and there, which may be counter-productive to the process. Do not apply a lot of pressure on the blade and always shave against the direction of the growth of hair.

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* Before you run the blade on your skin, make sure the pores are open. Closed pores will not let you have an effective shave. As such, make sure you take a bath, and towards the end of it, you get started on the shave. Once done, wash your body once again.

* If you are removing hair at home, make sure you take care of ingrown hair also. If you want a smooth shave, exfoliate your skin so that you get rid of dead cells and dryness. You can even make your own exfoliation scrub at home.

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* If you are not sure about what kind of shaving cream to use, just make one at home. DIY shaving cream will ensure your skin gets the natural goodness; hair removal will be easier, too. Simply take a little bit of coconut oil, some aloe vera gel and any essential oil of your choice. Ideally, mix two tablespoons of coconut oil and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel together. Add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture and apply on the area which you want to shave. This will ensure there are no accidental cuts or any painful bumps on the skin.

People with sensitive skin must especially keep these tips in mind.

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If your son is already asking about shaving, it's time to think about how you'll prepare them for the milestone. Shaving is a big deal to many boys and they often look forward to it, even if they have to wait a while for puberty to catch up with them.

Most boys won't develop facial hair until they're well into puberty (generally around age 14 or so), while others may need to begin shaving in the later tween years. Either way, arm yourself with a few handy shaving tips to help your child learn to do it the right way, and so that he knows how to shave safely while practicing good hygiene.

Follow these steps when teaching a boy to shave for the first time:

There are really only two choices here: electric or blade razors. Electric razors can be more forgiving, as your child will be less likely to cut himself. They're also convenient as you don't need to use shaving cream or prepare the face for shaving. The downside is that electric razors can be expensive and they don't always give you the closest shave. Blade razors typically get a closer shave, but that might not be a big deal to your child just yet.

If your child opts to use a blade razor, he has to prepare his face before shaving. He needs to wet his face and then apply shaving cream before attempting to shave. Never shave a face that hasn't been prepped, as it could cause cuts and skin irritation.

Finding the right shaving cream can be tricky, as your tween may be dealing with acne, oily skin, or other skin problems. He may need to try a few options before finding one that works well for his skin type.

When shaving, short gentle strokes are best. The razor should glide over the skin. Encourage your tween to shave in the direction of the hair growth, to prevent nicks and cuts. Once he's more confident with the razor, he can shave against the hair growth for a closer shave.

Be sure your child rinses the razor after each stroke, to keep it clean and prevent nicks. After shaving, your child should pat his skin dry with a clean, soft towel. Rubbing the face is a no-no. Gentle pats are best. Allow the skin to breathe a little before applying an aftershave.

It's fine to use aftershave or lotion, but young skin can be very sensitive. Try to find an aftershave that is alcohol-free and made for sensitive skin. An aftershave that is heavy on scent might irritate your child's skin, so be careful when choosing.

If your child opts for a blade razor, be sure they rinse the blade after use and pats it dry with a towel. Disposable blades should be thrown away after the fourth or fifth use, to avoid cuts or nicks to the skin.

A list of shaving tips wouldn't be complete without this warning: Never share razors with others! Sharing razors with others can result in a variety of problems, including infection.

Your son probably won't have to shave every day, at least for a while. Once a week may be all that's necessary. Encourage him to shave only when needed, to avoid unnecessarily irritating the skin.

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