Shaving or Trimming

What is shaving?

Shaving and Trimming are two ways to manage hair growth on your body. Which way is most beneficial for you? The answer really lies in what you are looking to do with the hair.

Shaving is the process of removing hair growth from your body. Shaving has been around for thousands of years. It is typically done with water, shaving cream and a razor. Once started it will need to be done just about everyday if you want to maintain a clean-cut area.

What is trimming?

Is the practice of removing hair from the body but leaving some hair on the skins surface. It is typically done to enhance the appearance of both men and women.

How do they work?

Shaving can be done wet or dry. The newer the blade the better it works. It works by removing the hair above the surface of the skin. Shaving and Trimming does not remove the hair from beneath the skin. Hair is removed by use of a sharp blade. Blades can be disposable or electric and long lasting.

Trimming is little more sophisticated because you are still leaving hair on the surface and are really sculpting the hair.

What are the benefits of shaving and trimming?

Shaving and trimming both have the benefit of giving you a cleaner and better looking you. It only takes a few minutes each day and can also help to moisturize the skin.

Shaving and trimming offer you an instant way to get rid of unwanted hair.

What are the drawbacks?

Shaving can give you nicks and cuts and trimming will look good only if you trim the right amount of hair. If you make a mistake and trim too much hair it could make you look off balance and ruin the effect you were trying for.

Another major drawback of shaving is that it is short-term lasting and often only lasts for a day or sometimes even less. Some people, especially men, shave in the morning and by the afternoon have what is known as “Five O’Clock Shadow”.

What are some trimming and shaving methods and techniques?

A wet-shave is started by first wetting the area with water. Next, apply shaving cream or lotion, which helps to lubricate the area. It also makes for a better and faster shave. Once you have put the cream/lotion on you can begin to apply the razor to the surface. Start with the sideburns and use firm strokes always going in the direction that hair grows. Next, move to the chin and then down the cheeks. Finally, finish off with gentle strokes with the neck. Make sure you are frequently washing out your razor, as doing so will make it more effective at removing your hair. You do need to get a feel for how much pressure you need when putting razor to skin. Generally speaking if the area is wet enough you can apply quite a bit of pressure before you would cut yourself. Afterwards wash the area with a washcloth and dry it with a nice soft towel.

Another method is use of an electric razor. With an electric razor no water or shaving cream is needed. You simply shave the area dry. While shaving move the razor in circles. There are pre-shave solutions and after-shave solutions that you can use that will help you keep your skin in great shape.

What are the side effects or dangers of shaving and trimming?

Side effects of shaving include but are not limited to:

• nicks and cuts
• skin abrasion
• irritation
• burning (razor burn)
• razor bumps
• ingrown hairs

What are some common treatment areas and areas that cannot be treated?

You can shave anywhere on your body. There just may be some areas that you are not able to do because you cannot reach them. Common areas to shave on women include their underarms, legs, and upper lip. For men common areas to shave include their face, legs, arms, chest and back.

What is the cost of shaving?

The cost of shaving varies depending on how much of your body you shave. This will impact the number of disposable razors and shaving cream/barrier cream you will need. If you are planning on using an electric razor costs range between $35 and $250. Disposable razors range from $2 for a pack of budget razors to $15 for a better disposable razor with four blades. The cost of barrier cream or shaving creams ranges from $3 to $10 per can.