Bustle posted "15 Times You Should Avoid Shaving That You Never Realized" featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .
The article includes Dr. Patel's expert commentary on shaving your legs, armpits, bikini area, or any other place you may feel like shaving, and when you might want to avoid it.
While you certainly don't have to overthink the whole hair removal process, there are situations where you might want to avoid shaving for the sake of your comfort, as well as your health. This goes for shaving your legs, armpits, bikini area, or any other place you may feel like shaving — if that's something you like to do.
And here's why. "When we shave we create tiny micro-nicks in the skin that disrupt the skin barrier and leave the skin more vulnerable to irritation and infection," dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, tells Bustle. "Because of this it's important to not expose freshly shaved skin to situations that could lead to irritation or infection." Of course, you can't always time it right, and may end up shaving right before an unexpected turn of events. But if you can time it right, your skin will thank you.
Shaving correctly can be a big help, too. "The best time to shave is at the end of a warm bath or shower. The moisture and steam soften the hairs and make them easier to remove," Dr. King says. "Apply a shaving cream, gel, or oil and use a sharp razor blade. Shave with the grain and make only one pass. And afterwards apply an emollient to soothe the skin and keep it moisturized." With that in mind, read on for the times you may not want to shave, according to experts.
If You Have Ingrown Hairs
"Ingrown hairs or shave bumps happen when the hair follicle is occluded and inflamed/possibly infected," Dr. Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, tells Bustle. If you have razor burn or ingrown hairs, wait until the area is fully healed before shaving again, so you don't spread an infection, or make that razor burn worse.When You're Cold
Ever get goosebumps when you're standing in the shower, possibly while waiting for the water to get fully warm? That's not the time to shave. "When you are cold, the hair follicles are raised, your shave will be tighter to the skin, and you could have razor burn [or even] shave the top layer of skin off the follicles," Dr. Patel says. "The best time to shave is when your body is at room [temperature] or warmer, probably when you are in the shower or taking a bath."