Friday, September 18, 2009

Shaving Recommendations for Acne

By Albert Ross

Acne is likely one of the most physically harmless yet disfiguring conditions known to man. Most parents shrug it off as a stage of life that lasts during the teenagers years. However, some continue to endure the disorder into adult hood. Regardless, many rather routine tasks become obstacles when acne surfaces. Shaving is one such task which is severely complicated by acne. Most men complain of new breakouts after shaving their beard or sideburns. Obviously, letting facial hair take over is not exactly the perfect solution. While there is always a risk of breakouts when it comes to activities involving skin contact, you can take some preventative measures to minimize the risk. We will describe some of these measures below.

You want your skin to be in a realized state before you engage in your shaving routine. The hair follicles should ideally be relaxed so that hairs will give in much more easily. You can accomplish this by taking a hot shower prior to your shaving session. There is no need to drench your face in hot water however. You will only achieve irritated skin by doing this. Let the shower steam gently widen your pores. You can attend to your usual showering habits while the steam gets to work.

Once you are finished in the shower, prepare a new razor blade for shaving. With acne, it is an especially good idea to replace your razor as frequently as possible. The more times you have to run it across a patch of hairs, the more likely you will cause irritation. Apply some shaving cream to your face gently, and begin using the razor.

With a new razor blade, you shouldn't have to apply much pressure while shaving. Be especially careful while going over inflamed pimples. You don't want to somehow cause any acne scarring. After every one or two strides, rinse the razor in some warm water to allow for more hair removal. When you have finished shaving, rinse any remaining cream off your face. Try not to apply any after shave as it can dry your skin needlessly. Alcohol is always a no-no with acne.

Some facial moisturizer is always a good idea after the shaving process is complete. This will soothe your skin and minimize any irritation which you may have caused. Use only non-comedogenic and oil-free products. You may have to experiment with one or more brands to ensure the moisturizer does not leave a slick appearance on your skin. Also, double check to ensure that your acne medications will perform effectively when applied atop a moisturizer. You may need to speak to your dermatologist.

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