Want flawless makeup application? Shave. Seek a painless method of hair removal? Shave. Need to get ready for that dinner date in just ten minutes? Shave. Admittedly, shaving is the most convenient hair removal method out there. All you gotta know is the right way to shave and you’d never look at those hot waxes and painful threads anymore. And now comes the more important question— should we opt for wet or dry shaving?
As we have already established, the optimum results from shaving are tied to the right method. To get it right, we recently got in touch with Dr Yuti Nakhwa, Consultant, Dermatology & Cosmetology, Global Hospital, Mumbai. In a detailed chat, she talked to us about dry and wet shaving and helped us understand which of the methods works better. Read on:
Everything You Need To Know About Wet Shaving
Wet shaving is the OG shaving method. It’s how Marylyn Monroe and ancient Egyptian princesses de-fuzzed. It involves wetting your skin with water, applying a shaving cream/foam, and swooping a razor over the facial hair.
How To Do It
“After prepping your skin, shave in the direction of the hair growth using a sharp multi-blade razor. While following the grain of the hair can prevent ingrown hair, a multi-blade razor will help you get a closer shave,” says Dr Yuti.
If you’re wondering which razor to buy, we have the answer. Sirona’s 4 Blade Razor has stainless-steel blades and an aloe strip that can moisturise the skin simultaneously. The razor’s unique design helps it glide over the different contours of the face effortlessly. It’s a must-have for shaving newbies.
Pros
“Wetting the face with water and a shaving barrier helps reduce friction with the razor. This can keep bumps, ingrown hair, and irritation at bay,” explains Dr Yuti.
Wet shaving also makes the hair and skin softer and helps you get a closer shave. Plus, the hair gets removed easily with minimum razor strokes. “This can prevent redness and hair follicle damage/infection that can be caused by running the razor multiple times over the same skin patch,” adds the doctor.
Cons
“Although wet shaving is a safe method for facial hair removal, it may lead to nicks and cuts if the shaving barrier is too slippery. Use a gentle soap or a foam-based cleanser instead of shaving creams for the job,” suggests Dr Yuti.
Guess what? We have the perfect product in mind for you—Sirona’s Hydrating Face Wash. Formulated with ingredients like red aloe vera and marshmallow extract, it can hydrate the skin and make the razor glide seamlessly.
Everything To Know About Dry Shaving
This is the newer version of face shaving that has been inspired by a cosmetic procedure called dermaplaning. In this non-invasive method, a professional uses a sharp blade to scrape off dead skin and peach fuzz from the face. Its purported benefits include evening out the skin tone and texture and boosting the skin cell regeneration rate. Many feel that dry shaving can mimic the effects of dermaplaning.
How To Do It
As the name suggests, this method involves shaving off the peach fuzz without prepping the skin. Dr Yuti adds, “You can simply run the razor over your dry skin and you’re done and dusted.” She suggests holding the skin taut and using a single-blade razor for dry shaving. It will enable easy movement through the different contours as there’s no lubricant involved.
You can trust Sirona’s Blink & Glow Facial Razor to do the job. Its stainless steel blade and anti-slip grip handle can help you get a precise shave. The best part? Its fine-tooth protection guard can help prevent cuts—especially in the sensitive areas of the face like the eyebrows and upper lip.
Pros
As per Dr Yuti, “Dry shaving is a hassle-free method as it involves no skin prep with water or a shaving barrier. It also helps save time and can be used when one is short on time or travelling.”
Additionally, dry shaving doesn’t involve the use of shaving cream or foams that can irritate the skin. It can also scrape off dead skin to make your skin glow.
Cons
“Dry shaving can create more friction with the skin and can lead to redness, bumps, razor burns, irritations and ingrowns. It can aggravate acne or cause flakiness if you already have dry skin,” warns Dr Yuti.
Also, the hair can grow back faster after dry shaving as it doesn’t allow for a shave as close as wet shaving.
The Verdict
You can dry shave when you’re in a hurry but it shouldn’t be a regular practice. Wet shaving is the safest way to remove your facial hair and should be followed in the regular course.
Dr Yuti concludes by saying that both shaving methods are safe if done right. However, you should stick to wet shaving especially if you have sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin.
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