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May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Prevent Hair Bumps On Your Legs and Thighs

Hair bumps may appear on the legs following shaving. They are normally painful and very embarrassing. This is once instance where an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Here are some things you can do to prevent the appearance of razor bumps on your legs.

1. Exfoliate 24 hours before shaving. Removing the build up of dead skin cells will clean your pores and lift any hairs that at embedded in the skin.

2. Use shaving creams. Forget the bar of soap or dry shaving, using a shaving cream helps to shield your skin from the harsh effects of the razor and helps to soften the hair before shaving.

3. Do not use dull or multi blade razors. Dull blades leave behind shorter hairs making room for razor bumps. Multi blade razors shave too close and can cause ingrown hairs.

4. Shave in a hot shower. This will help to open pores and soften hair in readiness for shaving.

5. Moisturize your skin. This hydrates your skin cells and prevents tiny cracks that present opportunities for infection.

6. Shave in the direction of the hair growth. This means shaving your legs down instead of up!

These 6 simple but effective tips will help prevent hair bumps from showing up after shaving your legs and thighs.

Filed Under: Reduce Hair Bumps, Shaving Tips
April 7, 2010 By 3 Comments

7 Tips For Choosing A Good Shaving Brush.

In an earlier post I spoke about the importance of using a shaving brush to fight hair bumps. Today, I will like to present seven tips for choosing a good shaving brush because you will find out that not all brushes are created equal.

Without further ado here are the recommendations:

  1. Bristle type. Without any apologies I recommend the use of badger brushes. They are usually on the higher end of the price spectrum but this is one case where price matters. The bristle of the badger brushes feel soft and luxurious on your skin and unlike boar bristles retain a lot more water. Another type of bristle that is making strides in the market are synthetic brushes. They can be used you are sensitive to the use of animals for creating products.
  2. Grade of badger hair. Badger brushes come in four grades and are classified according to the part of the badger from where the hair is taken. The lower end or standard badger is usually taken from the tail or back of the badger and the higher end or silver tip is taken from the neck. Choose the grade that feels most comfortable to you and meets your budget.
  3. Size of the knot. Knot sizes vary from 17 mm to 35 or more mm and is determined by the size of the knot within the handle of the brush. The size you choose will be determined by the area of the skin where the lather will be applied.
  4. Bristle loft. The bristle loft is the length of the bristle that extends from the handle. Longer lofts are more prone to floppiness while shorter lofts are more firm and controllable.
  5. Shape of the bloom. Badger brushes come with two bloom shapes, bulb or fan and the type chosen can be based on preference since there does not seem to be benefits of one over the other.
  6. Handle. Another aspect based on preference. Whether you prefer a firm grip with your handle or a loose grasp with your fingers the size if the brush will be based on preference.
  7. Price. The final determination for the type of brush that you will choose will be based on what you can afford. As with most products investing a little more up front may mean savings for you later on.

Find your favorite brushes at your local beauty counter or on Amazon.com.

Speaking of favorites what are your favorite shaving brushes?

Filed Under: Grooming For Men, Shaving Tips
April 5, 2010 By 1 Comment

Fight Hair Bumps: Do Not Underestimate The Power Of A Good Shaving Brush

Are you still using your fingers to smear shaving gel over your face?  If you wet shave a shaving brush should be included in your tools for shaving. Shaving brushes come with multiple benefits and can be especially important for fighting hair bumps.

Here are some benefits of using a good shaving brush:

  • Create a richer lather. A good badger shaving brush absorbs hot water and when dipped into your shaving cream and applied to your face, the brush releases and mixes the hot water with the shaving cream as you move the brush back and forth. The combination of hot water mixing with the cream and the agitation of the back and forth movement creates a richer, thicker lather that you will not normally get from using your fingers. A richer lather of course means less dragging of the razor over the skin.
  • Gentle Exfoliation. In an earlier post, I referred to the benefits of exfoliation, a shaving brush delivers just that. In an up and down sweep of the right brush, hundreds of dead skin cells can be removed before shaving.
  • Opens the pores. Like warm water, a shaving brush opens the pores of the skin.
  • Lifts the hair. A good shaving brush lifts the hair in preparation for shaving. Having the hair positioned at the right angle forces the hair to re-grow upward rather than downward into the skin. In contrast, applying by hand can mat the hair in a downward position or lift the hair unevenly.
  • Softens the hair. One of the greatest benefits for those suffering from hair bumps is to soften the hair before shaving.

shaving brush to reduce hair bumpsIf you have not considered using a shaving brush before I have given some great benefits for you to consider using one.

Just as important as using a shaving brush is choosing the right brush brush and keeping your clean to prevent distribution of bacteria while shaving.

Quick after use cleaning may be as simple as having warm water run over the brush and shaking to remove excess water before storing.

From time to time a more thorough clean will be required. To accomplish this you can mix Borax and water to form a thick paste and rub into the hair of the brush. Leave overnight and rinse thoroughly with warm water the next day.

Always leave brushes in open air to dry.

In my next post I will highlight some points that you should consider when choosing the right brush.

Note, shaving brushes can be used successfully on other parts of the body, especially in all the areas where you experience problems with hair bumps.

Filed Under: Reduce Hair Bumps, Shaving Tips
April 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

Shaving Tips For Men to Reduce Hair Bumps

Here are some great tips for shaving presented by Nicholas Perricone, M.D. on Discovery Health:

Shaving Tips for Men and Women

  • Always shave after or during a hot shower, to soften the hair, open the pores and cleanse the skin.
  • Use a pre-shave oil (you can pick this up at health food stores). These silicon oils help soften the beard, cut down on friction and protect the skin against razor burns.
  • Use a glycerin-based shaving cream or shaving soap that lathers with water. Avoid foams, gels or products that contain numbing agents such as benzocaine or menthol, which tend to close pores and stiffen the beard.
  • Try a Badger shaving brush to help generate a rich lather while it softens and lifts the beard.
  • Use a blade with a firm handle such as the Gillette Sensor or Gillette Mach
  • Always shave with the grain. To do to otherwise can cause ingrown hair and razor burn. For a closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly across or against the grain.
  • Glide the razor gently over your face. Avoid applying pressure, which can cause skin irritation.
  • In case of a nick or cut, apply a moist alum block on the area to stop the bleeding. You can also use the alum block as an antiseptic after-shave.
  • Rinse with cold water.
  • Use a nourishing alcohol-free after-shave to restore moisture and soothe the skin.
  • Always hang your shaving brush with the bristles facing downward so that it drains completely and cuts down on bacterial growth that can exacerbate razor bumps. This will also help maintain the shape of the brush.

Source: Discovery Health.

Filed Under: Grooming For Men, Reduce Hair Bumps, Shaving Tips