Shaving is the most common hair-removal method — and the one most people do wrong, ending up with razor burn, ingrowns and stubble that’s back by tomorrow. A better technique fixes all of it. The hair-removal guide: the common mistakes, how to shave right and how to prevent irritation.

The Shaving-Mistakes Reality

Why your shave goes wrong: the common-mistakes-cause-irritation (the common shaving-mistakes causing razor-burn-and-ingrowns from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-mistakes; the the-irritation), the dull-blades-and-dry-shaving (the dull-blades and dry-shaving as top-errors from the hair-removal-methods chapter — the the-errors; the dull-and-dry), the the-ingrowns-from-technique (the ingrowns from wrong-technique from the ingrown-hair-prevention chapter — the the-ingrowns; the technique-causes-them), the the-fixable-with-technique (the a-better technique fixing it from the hair-removal-methods chapter — the the-fix; the technique-fixes-it), and the reframe (the bad-shave as a common-mistakes problem a better-technique fixes).

The Do-It-Right Method

How to shave for smooth skin: the the-exfoliate-first (the gentle exfoliation before shaving from the ingrown-hair-prevention chapter — the the-exfoliation; the exfoliate-first), the the-warm-water-and-soften (the warm-water softening the hair-and-skin from the hair-removal-methods chapter — the the-softening; the warm-and-soften), the the-sharp-clean-blade (the a-sharp, clean blade (not dull) from the hair-removal-methods chapter — the the-blade; the sharp-blade), the the-shaving-cream-or-gel (the shaving-cream/gel (never dry-shave) from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-lubrication; the use-cream), the the-shave-with-the-grain-first (the shaving with-the-grain to reduce irritation from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-direction; the with-the-grain), the the-light-pressure (the light pressure, letting the-blade work from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-pressure; the gentle), the the-rinse-the-blade (the rinsing the blade often — the the-rinse; the clean-blade), and the the-dont-over-shave-one-spot (the not-repeatedly-shaving one-spot from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-caution; the don’t-overshave).

The Prevent-Irritation Notes

Preventing razor burn and ingrowns: the the-moisturize-after (the moisturizing after shaving from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-moisturize; the hydrate-after), the the-exfoliate-to-prevent-ingrowns (the regular exfoliation preventing ingrowns from the ingrown-hair-prevention chapter — the the-exfoliation; the prevent-ingrowns), the the-sharp-clean-blade (the a-sharp, clean blade preventing irritation from the hair-removal-methods chapter — the the-blade; the replace-blades), the the-with-the-grain-for-sensitive (the with-the-grain for sensitive-areas (bikini) from the razor-burn-bikini-line chapter — the the-direction; the gentle-direction), the the-avoid-shaving-irritated-skin (the not-shaving already-irritated skin — the the-caution; the let-it-heal), the the-alternatives-if-prone (the waxing/other methods if shaving-irritates from the waxing-vs-sugaring and hair-removal-methods chapters — the the-alternatives; the other-options), the the-summer-schedule (the a-summer hair-removal schedule from the summer-hair-removal-schedule chapter — the the-schedule; the plan-it), and the frame (shaving-for-smooth-skin as exfoliate-soften-sharp-blade-and-cream, with-the-grain-and-gentle, moisturized-after — the smoothest least-irritated skin. Shave right — exfoliate first, soften with warm water, use a sharp clean blade with shaving cream (never dry), shave with the grain using light pressure, and rinse often — then moisturize after and exfoliate regularly to prevent razor burn and ingrowns: the smoothest, least-irritated skin.

Shaving is the most common hair-removal method — and the one most people do wrong, ending up with razor burn, ingrowns and fast stubble. Do it right: exfoliate first, soften with warm water, use a sharp clean blade (not dull), apply shaving cream/gel (never dry-shave), shave with the grain first using light pressure, rinse the blade often, and don’t over-shave one spot. Prevent irritation — moisturize after, exfoliate regularly (prevents ingrowns), replace blades, go with the grain on sensitive areas, don’t shave irritated skin, and consider other methods if you’re prone. The smoothest, least-irritated skin.