Shaving body hair is now a daily routine
Many of our customers are active in sports: running, swimming and racing bikes. For optimal sports performance on the bike or in the water, leg and arm hairs are often shaved. Of course, we also have customers who are a bit vain. We see that shaving body hair has become a daily routine for many men. Good grooming goes beyond just shaving your face or trimming your beard. Shaving the armpits or intimate parts is of course a different matter.
According to science, body hair in humans does not really have a clear function. So you could say: 'Hupsakee, get rid of that hair!' However, you do have to be a little careful when shaving the various parts of the body. The skin on your face or arms can take a beating. But the skin under the armpits or genitals is sensitive and vulnerable.
If you decide to shave everything off, do it carefully and wisely. And use the right shaving tool for each type of body part. In this blog we explain per body part how best to shave, which razor is the most useful and what the advantages are of the type of razor.
Shaving arms and legs
Your arms and legs contain a lot of hair. The hairs are thinner compared to the beard hairs. The skin on the arms and legs is fairly firm and can withstand some wear and tear. However, it is useful and pleasant to thoroughly wet the skin before shaving and to apply a transparent shaving gel before shaving. You can easily apply and distribute shaving gel with your fingers. It protects the skin and provides a lubricating film. The blade glides better and smoother over the skin. Because a shaving gel is transparent, you can also see clearly where and how you should shave.
The safety razor is ideal for a close shave of the arms and legs. The advantages of the safety razor are:
- Easy to handle;
- Some safety razors have a long handle of 10 to 12 cm. This also allows you to shave your lower legs smoothly;
- Razors quickly become clogged by the thin hairs. You can easily rinse the shaving head of the safety razor while shaving.
The following safety razors have an (extra) long handle:
- Feather double edge safety razor adjustable DER-A
- Feather double edge safety razor Popular butterfly closure
- Merkur 23C double edge safety razor
- Merkur 24C double edge safety razor XL-long handle
- Muhle R89 Grande double edge safety razor Chrome
- TIMOR double edge safety razor matchroom 100mm handle
After shaving you may suffer from dry or flaky skin on your legs or arms. In this case, use a nourishing and hydrating moisturizer or body lotion .
Shaving the chest
The chest can also contain a lot of hair. The breast skin is thin, fragile and sensitive. For a pleasant and efficient close shave of the chest, it is best to use a safety razor. If you have sensitive skin, use a transparent shaving gel or a ready-made shaving foam from a can. You can easily apply and distribute these shaving products with your fingers. Here too, the big advantage of a shaving gel is that you protect the skin and can see clearly how and where to shave.
The safety razor is suitable for shaving chest hairs. The advantages of the safety razor are:
- Easy to handle;
- Razors quickly become clogged by the thin hairs. You can easily rinse the shaving head of the safety razor while shaving;
- In case of fragile skin, you can use mildly sharp double edge razor blades.
Because the breast skin is fragile, you should not apply pressure while shaving. For the chest we recommend using a light razor with a short handle:
- Boker double edge safety razor closed comb butterfly closure
- Edwin Jagger DE86 double edge safety razor black chrome
- Merkur 30C double edge safety razor
- Merkur 34C double edge safety razor
- TIMOR double edge safety razor matchroom 80mm handle
After shaving you may experience a dry or burning sensation in your chest. Avoid alcohol-containing care products. Do not spray cologne or perfume on the breast skin after shaving. In this case, use a nourishing and hydrating moisturizer or body lotion .
Shaving the armpits
Shaving the armpits is difficult. Armpits are hollow and the skin is sensitive. Here too, wet the skin and protect it well with a transparent shaving gel. When you shave, stretch your arm upwards so that the hollow becomes a little less hollow and the skin is pulled a little tighter.
Some shaving gels contain menthol or eucalyptus. These added ingredients may irritate the skin under the armpits.
For the armpits we recommend using the regular 3-blade or 5-blade cartridge razor from, for example , Gillette or Raz*War . The advantages of the multiblade razor are:
- Because the shaving head can move or hinge, it is better to shave the skin smoothly in a hollow
- The shaving head has rounded corners and a wide protective edge around the blades. This means you have less chance of razor burns or irritation on the side of the armpit cavity.
After shaving you have to be careful with deodorants. The skin is sensitive and the fragrance ingredients or alcohol in deodorants can irritate this skin. If necessary, use a neutral deodorant for sensitive skin. The deodorant from the Swedish Recipe for Men is suitable for sensitive or irritated skin.
It is best to use a little talcum powder after shaving. The advantage of talcum powder is that you can easily apply it. Talcum powder soothes and possibly reduces the slight burning sensation after shaving. And it provides a protective layer.
Shaving the pubic area
Shaving pubic hair and testicles is the most difficult of all body parts. You do not have a good view below and the skin is thin and vulnerable. The round shapes also don't make it easier to shave. Be careful when shaving your crown jewels. Shave your pubic area a maximum of once a week. Before you start, you may need to remove excess hair with a trimmer. If you don't do this, your razor will continuously become clogged. It is best to shave in the shower with lukewarm water. Use a classic shaving cream or a transparent shaving gel for optimal protection. Use unscented shaving products as much as possible. Fragrance ingredients in shaving foam, for example, can irritate the skin.
Some shaving gels contain menthol or eucalyptus. These added ingredients may irritate the skin around the pubic area.
For the pubic area we recommend using the regular multiblade cartridge razor from, for example , Gillette or Raz*War . The advantages of the multiblade razor are:
- Because the shaving head can move or hinge, it is better to shave the skin smoothly in a hollow;
- The shaving head has rounded corners and a wide protective edge around the blades. This means you have less chance of razor burns;
- Because the razor contains 3 or 5 blades, you have an even pressure distribution on the skin.
After shaving, pat the skin dry with a clean towel. After shaving, it is best to use a small amount of unscented or neutral aftershave balm without alcohol or talcum powder .
Some more advice for shaving the pubic area:
- Shave a maximum of once a week;
- Use neutral and unscented shaving products;
- Do not apply pressure with the razor on the skin;
- Stop shaving if irritation occurs.