Editing Shaving (section)

== Effects of shaving ==
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=== Aberrations ===
Shaving can have numerous side effects, including cuts, abrasions, and irritation. Many side effects can be minimized by using a fresh blade, applying plenty of lubrication, shaving in the direction of hair growth, and avoiding pressing the razor into the skin. A shaving brush can also help to lift the hair and spread the lubrication. The cosmetic market in some consumer economies offers many products to reduce these effects; they commonly dry the affected area, and some also help to lift out the trapped hair(s). Some people who shave choose to use only single-blade or wire-wrapped blades that shave farther away from the skin. Others have skin that cannot tolerate razor shaving at all; they use depilatory shaving powders to dissolve hair above the skin's surface, or grow a beard. Some anatomical parts, such as the [[scrotum]], require extra care and more advanced equipment due to the uneven surface of the skin when the testicles shrivel during [[coldness]], or its imbalance when the [[testicle]]s hang low due to being warmer.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Micromedex|title=United States Pharmacopeia Dispensing Information: USP DI, Volume 1, Parts 1–2; Volume 2|date=1988|page=77}}</ref>

=== Cuts ===
Cuts from shaving can bleed for about fifteen minutes. Shaving cuts can be caused by blade movement perpendicular to the blade's cutting axis or by regular / orthogonal shaving over prominent bumps on the skin (which the blade incises). As such, the presence of acne can make shaving cuts more likely, and extra care must be exercised. The use of a fresh, sharp blade as well as proper cleaning and lubrication of skin can help prevent cuts. Some razor blade manufacturers include disposal containers or receptacles to avoid injuries to anyone handling the garbage.

=== Razor burn ===
[[File:Razor burn.jpg|thumb|left|The red spot on this man's neck is razor burn.]]
'''Razor burn''' is an [[Skin irritation|irritation of the skin]] caused by using a blunt blade or not using proper technique. It appears as a mild [[rash]] 2–4 minutes after shaving (once hair starts to grow through sealed skin) and usually disappears after a few hours to a few days, depending on severity. In severe cases, razor burn can also be accompanied by [[pseudofolliculitis barbae|razor bumps]], where the area around shaved hairs get raised red welts or infected [[pustule]]s.
A rash at the time of shaving is usually a sign of lack of lubrication. Razor burn is a common problem, especially among those who shave coarse hairs on areas with [[sensitive skin type|sensitive skin]] like the [[bikini line]], [[pubic hair]], [[armpit|underarms]], [[chest]], and [[beard]]. The condition can be caused by shaving too closely, shaving with a blunt blade, dry shaving, applying too much pressure when shaving, shaving too quickly or roughly, or shaving against the grain.

Ways to prevent razor burn include keeping the skin moist, using a shaving brush and lather, using a moisturizing shaving gel, shaving in the direction of the [[hair]] growth, resisting the urge to shave too closely, applying minimal pressure, avoiding scratching or irritation after shaving, avoiding irritating products on the shaved area ([[Eau de cologne|cologne]]s, [[perfume]]s, etc.) and using an [[aftershave]] cream with [[aloe vera]] or other [[emollient]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204192735/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-02-04 |title=How to Get That Perfect Shave |publisher=MSNBC |date=2005-01-30 |access-date=2011-11-24}}</ref> Putting a warm, wet cloth on one's skin helps as well, by softening hairs. This can also be done by using pre-shave oil before the application of shaving cream. Essential oils such as coconut oil, tea-tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil help to soothe skin after shaving. They have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

In some cases multi-bladed razors can cause skin irritation by shaving too close to the skin. Switching to a single- or double-bladed razor and not stretching the skin while shaving can mitigate this.<ref name="aad-shavetips-men"/>

One other technique involves exfoliating the skin before and after shaving, using various [[Exfoliation (cosmetology)|exfoliating]] products, included but not limited to, brushes, mitts, and loofah. This process removes dead skin cells, reducing the potential for ingrown hairs and allowing the razor to glide across the skin smoothly decreasing the risk of the razor snagging or grabbing causing razor burn.

=== Razor bumps ===
{{Main|Pseudofolliculitis barbae}}
{{em|Pseudofolliculitis barbae}} is a medical term for persistent inflammation caused by shaving. It is also known by the initials PFB or colloquial terms such as razor bumps.<ref name="Bolognia">{{cite book |author1=Rapini, Ronald P. |author2=Bolognia, Jean L. |author3=Jorizzo, Joseph L. |title=Dermatology: 2-Volume Set |publisher=Mosby |location=St. Louis |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4160-2999-1 }}</ref>

=== Myths ===
Shaving does not cause [[terminal hair]] to grow back thicker, coarser or darker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-removal/AN00638 |title=Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker? |publisher=MayoClinic.com |date=2011-10-26 |access-date=2011-11-24}}</ref> This belief arose because hair that has never been cut has a naturally tapered end as it emerges from the skin's [[hair follicle]], whereas, after cutting, there is no taper. The cut hair may thus appear to be thicker, and feel coarser as a result of the sharp edges on each cut strand. The fact that shorter hairs are "harder" (less flexible) than longer hairs also contributes to this effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snopes.com/oldwives/hairgrow.asp|title=Shaved Hair Grows Darker|date=2 October 2003 |publisher=snopes.com|access-date=2009-08-29}}</ref> Hair can also appear darker after it grows back because hair that has never been cut is often lighter from sun exposure. In addition, as humans grow older, hair tends to grow coarser and in more places on the face and body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004005.htm|title=Aging changes in hair and nails|publisher=National Institutes of Health|access-date=2013-09-01}}</ref>  For example, teenagers may start shaving their face or legs at around 16, but as they age, hair will start to grow more abundantly and thicker, leading some to believe this was due to the shaving, but in reality is just part of the maturation process.