Winter is here, and we can give our overused razors a rest.
Most of us put our delicate skin through trauma on a daily basis and don’t even realize it.
Shaving is not only annoying and time-consuming, it can be downright dangerous.
We spoke with cosmetic dermatologist and medical director of JuverneDr.
Sonam Yadavabout why he tells his patients to stop shaving.
“It’s tedious, monotonous and wasteful,” he said.
“The constant friction causes skin dryness and the angle of cutting hair promotes ingrown hair and bumps.”
So crank up your heated mattress pad, throw on your fleece pajamas, and embrace the fuzz.
Here are just a few reasons why it’s time to ditch the razor.
Michael Swannspoke withGood Housekeepingabout one of shaving’s latest trends women shaving their faces!
I first learned about this trend by watching one of Bravo’s reality shows.
Now women are getting in on the action.
“It definitely exfoliates your face when you shave,” Swann says.
“If you have small growths on your face, it will plane them off.”
Now don’t lather your face up just yet.
Your skin is sensitive
One of the obvious drawbacks to shaving is skin irritation.
Who hasn’t suffered through bright red razor burn or ingrown hairs in the name of beauty?
Unfortunately one of the most common areas to shave is also one of the most sensitive.
Hibba Kapil, founder ofHibba NYC,spoke withBustleabout why shaving our underarms is harmful for that sensitive skin.
Sure these bumps are a little painful, but what’s the big deal?
The problem is they can lead to infection.
“Shaving can cause bumps, blisters and pimples,” explains Kapil.
Oh, no thank you.
It turns out every time we shave, we’re removing a tiny layer of skin.
Not only does that sound painful, but let’s not forget our skin is there for a reason.
If that happens, the skin is more vulnerable to irritation and infections."
The authors found the number of women reporting vaginal injuries (yikes!)
increased by six times over that period, and they attribute that finding to shaving.
“It’s a lot different from shaving a flat surface, like your legs.”
If our bodies naturally grow pubic hair, it’s probably there for a reason.
Los Angeles OB GYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, M.D.
spoke withWomen’s Healthabout the risks of shaving below the belt.
The authors reported the most common method of removing pubic hair is shaving.
Don’t you just want to cross your legs a little tighter when you read that?
Basically we shouldn’t have a sharp razor anywhere near our beautiful lady parts.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons why is because of outside influences and pressures.
“The prevalence of pubic hair grooming in women is substantial in the 21st century,“she shared.
The messaging is pretty clear.
Hair is not sexy.
Dr. Rowen asked her study participants to answer why they choose to shave.
Over half of the women who reported some grooming were married.
You’re still going to shave, aren’t you?
Shaving is relatively easy and you could do it in the privacy of your own home.
“We suggest using a brand-new disposable razor every time you shave,” she recommended.
New York City dermatologist Jody Levine, MD, shared her tips for safe shaving withPrevention.
She recommends prepping the area you’re about to shave with a mild exfoliant.
Then wash up and shampoo before shaving.
Dr. Levine recommends being choosy about which razor you use.
And finally, when it comes to shaving your pubic hair, be especially careful.
This leads to even more risk for injury.
As Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, M.D.
Let a professional do it instead.”
