Shaving can be a relatively easy process. Sometimes you might cut your skin, or your skin will feel coarse after shaving. To have a safe and smooth shave, there are certain shaving practices that you can follow. With these tips, you can navigate a razor with ease and ensure that your skin remains soft.

1. Do not dry shave
Avoid dry shaving. It is bound to cause more cuts and irritation in your skin, as you do not exfoliate. Even though dry shaving is faster, it can damage the skin, especially if your skin is already sensitive and is prone to inflammation. You will not get a clean shave because the dead skin layer remains. It is highly advised not to dry shave if you have existing skin conditions like acne or eczema.

2. Wash with cold water
Some people prefer taking long, comforting hot showers. However, when it comes to shaving and hair removal in general, stay away from hot water. Sometimes it is suggested to wash your skin with hot water before shaving to soften the hair. The hair could become too soft and more prone to cuts. You can use cold water post shaving as it will cause less irritation.

3. Exfoliate to remove dead skin
When you don’t exfoliate before shaving, your razor is blocked with dead skin cells. Either exfoliate your skin with a loofah or a scrub to increase cellular turnover. It is an important pre-shave prep to shave without damaging the skin. Exfoliation also reduces the growth of ingrown hair to a certain extent.

4. Use shaving cream or gel
People commonly use soap when shaving to lubricate the skin. However, when you dry your skin with a soft towel after shaving, you will notice that your skin is flaky and dry. That is why it is recommended to use products customized for shaving, like shaving cream, to condition your skin and keep it soft. You can even use coconut or olive oil to ensure a close and clean shave.

5. Direction of the shave
There is an ongoing debate on whether to shave along the direction of hair growth or against it. For effective hair removal, shave against the direction of hair growth, but you must be careful while doing so. It can cause cuts, while, on the other hand, shaving along the direction of hair growth is safer but will not give you a clean shave. Ensure that you do not slide the razor sideways as it can cause bleeding.