It’s the most common way to remove excess body hair, but shaving can damage your skin. Luckily, there are plenty of natural creams, salves and lotions available to soothe it. Home cures will also provide relief from shaving cuts and ingrown hairs.
Whether you use a manual or an electric razor for shaving is a matter of personal preference, but avoid using a manual razor on your face if you have blemished skin. It may open pustules and could lead to infection.
SOOTHING SKIN IRRITATIONS
Soothe and cleanse your skin with a pleasantly fragrant after lotion. Pour 1 tablespoon of surgical spirit, 75ml of witch hazel, 1 tablespoons of rosewater and 2 drops each of clary sage, sandalwood, cedar, lemon and cypress oils into a small bottle. Shake the mixture vigorously and leave it to steep for 4 weeks. Apply straight, or alternatively pour a little aftershave into the palm of your hand, rub in a few drops of jojoba oil and smooth the lotion onto your skin.
Make a balanced aftershave lotion by combining thoroughly 75g of pH-neutral moisturizer (from pharmacies and health-food stores), 1 teaspoon each of jojoba, apricot kernel and almond oils, and 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, plus 2 drops each of chamomile, mint and geranium oils. Store the aftershave in a jar in a cool place.
Relieve and soothe irritated skin with a witch-hazel salve (available at health-food stores). The effect is intensified by mixing in a few drops of tea tree oil.
Combat irritation and soothe your skin after shaving with creams and salves containing calendula, chamomile or aloe vera (available from health-food stores and pharmacies).
TREATING SMALL CUTS
If you use a blade razor, you are bound to cut yourself occasionally. To stop the bleeding:
1. Dab small cuts with a cotton ball moistened with surgical spirit.
2. Use a moist styptic pencil, which is designed to promote coagulation.
3. Grind dried yarrow flowers to powder in a mortar using a pestle. Apply to the cut and press lightly with a damp cloth.
REMOVING INGROWING HAIRS
Apply a hot compress (for example, a damp cloth with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil on it), then pull out the hair with clean tweezers and disinfect the skin with a drop of tea tree oil. To prevent ingrowing hairs, use only clean, sharp blades and always shave in the direction of hair growth.
Enjoy smooth, healthy skin all over. Book a consultation with most trusted health and beauty experts in Australia today.