Shaving and Hair Removal Rules

Do plan to visit your skin care professional on a regular basis until (a) clearing is achieved, (b) you have stopped “bumping up”, and (c) we are certain you being consistent with your home care and new shaving habits. Bring your products with you, or have them in front of you when you call.

Don’t use disposable or cartridge blades more than once or twice. Soak your single-edge disposable blades and cartridge razors in alcohol for 20-30 minutes before use.

Don’t attempt to use the twin, triple or five-blade “closer-shaving” razors if you are bump-prone. The first blade stretches the skin; the second (and third) blades shave too close, cutting hair off below the skin line. When the skin bounces back, those hairs are set up to be trapped repeatedly under the skin line every time you shave that way.

Don't tweeze your ingrowns. Tweezing is not permanent hair removal. When tweezed hairs grow back (in two to three weeks), they are trapped under the skin line. Those areas become "hot spots" of chronic ingrown hairs, so resist the urge to get in the mirror to tweeze or pick. Unhook with a sterile needle and snip the hair off with a lean nail scissor. Sterilize a new sewing needle by dipping in Clorox for a minute or two and then rinse well.

Don't pick your bumps or tamper with your skin. This introduces secondary bacteria and leads to inflammation, delayed healing, large dark spots and scarring.

Don’t even think about trying a Norelco rotary shaver. Circular blade motion cuts the hair in every imaginable direction. Count on major trouble if you’re even slightly bump-prone.

Don’t complain to your skin care specialist if you take a rotary shaver, a tweezers, a twin blade, the Mach 3, or the five–blade Gillette Fusion razor to your face.

Don’t shave upward, against the grain, or shave back and forth over the same place repeatedly in an attempt to get a closer shave if you are razor bump-prone. There is a built-in trade-off; a little less close means 100% clearer skin.

Don’t use any razor except PFB Bump Fighter or BIC Disposable for Sensitive Skin with an unscented shaving cream or soap suited to your skin type, or a sanitized non-rotary liner, T-edger or clippers.

Don’t use those blades designed for shaping eyebrows from the beauty supply store.

Don’t forget to soak disposable blades in alcohol for 20 minutes before shaving,

Don’t forget to spray disinfectant on razors, clipper and/or T-edger blades, guards and attachments before and after shaving disinfect and prolong the life of the blades.

Don't forget to take some with you to the barbershop.

Do watch for barbershop sanitation (or lack of it).

Don’t attempt to take a blade to your face for the very first time you understand how to shave,  you are using skin care products and a shaving method that discourage shaving bump, and  you have the "go ahead" of your skin care specialist.

Don’t try to use the same clipper and T-edger (liner) blades for the rest of your life.

Do change your clipper, trimmer and T-edger (liner) blades every six months.

Don’t share your clippers, trimmers or T-edgers (liners) with anyone.........ever.

Don’t over-scrub your skin or rub your face with a terry cloth towel. If your skin is not irritated, scrub very gently (with a scrub that contains uniform polyethylene granules) for no more than 30 seconds. Blot your face dry (no rubbing) with a soft towel or Viva paper towels.

Don't wipe off sweat; blot dry instead!

Don't get electrolysis unless your practitioner
a. Uses the ‘blend’ method
b. Has tons of experience working with your ethnic skin type.
Do explore laser hair removal, but only if your practitioner
a. Has lots of experience working with lasers in general
b. Uses a laser appropriate (Cool Glide) for hair removal on your ethnic skin type
c. Is experienced with the particular laser they are using, and knows what it can/can’t do
d. Understands the importance and protocol of client selection, pain management, melanin suppression (to prevent hyperpigmentation), prevention of prolonged inflammation and the need for sun protection and avoidance
e. Is able to provide follow-up care for post-laser skin and be able to address the potential problems that come with the territory.

© 2005, 2007 Kathryn Khadija Leverette, Urban Skin Solutions, Inc. Oakland, California