Having soft smooth arms is a wonderful feeling. It is like your skin becomes alive to the tactile sensations from the soft, delicate fabrics of your girly tops and blouses. When your arms are freshly shaved and moisturized even the air feels different against your skin.
Shaving your arms for smooth soft skin requires you to trim excess hair first. Then wet your arms in a warm bath or shower for 5 minutes before exfoliating. Shave carefully using shaving gel and a sharp razor paying extra care around your elbows. Rinse, pat dry with a soft towel and moisturize.
Learning to shave your arms properly limits chances of getting razor burn, skin irritation, and ingrown hairs. Let’s take a closer look at the tips so that you can be clued up on the best way to shave your arms. Keep reading to the end where I share the Mediterranean secret to beautifully soft skin.
Does Shaving Arms Make Hair Grow Back Faster And Thicker
Many girls worry that shaving their arms will make hair grow back faster and thicker. The good news is that this isn’t true even though that is how it often feels.
When your hair is longer it tends to taper towards the tip while freshly cut hair will have a blunt tip and seem thicker all the way to the tip.
The same applies to shaved hair. You are cutting the hair level with the skin surface. So when that shaved hair grows out again it will have that same kind of blunt/cut tip rather than a tapered tip. That is what has led to the belief that shaved hair grows back thicker. The truth is that the hair grows back at the same thickness as it always was.
The feeling that hair grows back faster is something that I can relate to as well. After having shaved our skin feels so smooth and soft and we want it to stay that way. However, all too soon we start feeling some fine stubble and groan a little on the inside because the smoothness is gone.
I don’t know if the thought will please you or not but your hair will continue to grow at the same speed whether you shaved or not. I know that I always wish my skin could stay smooth for longer than it does.
1. Trim Longer Arm Hair If Needed
If your arm hair is long and thick, then consider trimming it down with a trimmer or a pair of scissors before reaching for your razor.
This will help keep your razor blade sharper for longer and prevents your razor from getting clogged up with long hairs. Trimming your hair first reduces the number of times you need to go over the same area with your razor, which can easily cause skin irritation.
2. Soak Your Arms In Warm Water
Never shave dry. You are guaranteeing yourself of razor burn, bumps, skin irritation, or nicks.
Ensure your arms are well-hydrated before you shave by soaking them in warm water in either a bath or shower for approximately three to five minutes. I generally do all of my shaving in the shower.
Besides hydrating your skin, washing your arms first means that your skin is clean reducing the chances of your razor getting clogged with dirt and bacteria, minimizing hence skin irritation.
3. Always Exfoliate Before You Shave
Regular exfoliation keeps your skin healthy by removing dead skin cells. Dead skin will quickly clog your razor which can increase the chances of razor bumps and rashes.
Reach for a gentle scrub or grab your loofah and gently rub your arms to exfoliate your skin.
4. Apply Shaving Gel
Use a good shaving gel to preserve skin moisture and allow your razor blade to glide across your skin more easily, preventing razor burn and bumps. Resist the temptation to just use shower gel. I have used shower gel if I’m out of shaving gel and have nearly always ended up with skin irritation.
Another benefit of using shaving gel is that it helps you see where you have shaved. This means that you don’t re-shave over any areas with too many passes of the razor and irritate your skin.
5. Use A Sharp Razor
Always use a sharp razor blade when shaving. Doing so will protect your skin from razor rashes, ingrown hairs, and skin irritation.
Most blades generally last five to 10 shaves. The best sign that it’s time to reach for a new blade is if it becomes dull. Dull razor blades pull at body hair and feel rough on your skin. This leads to more nicks, cuts, and irritation.
Lastly, please never store your razor in the shower or edge of the bath between shaves. The blades will rust, especially on the leading edges. A rusted blade will be dull and reduce the number of shaves you can get from a blade. Also, if you end up getting a cut from a rusted blade, the cut will get badly infected and may end up with a painful visit to the ER or worse.
6. Shave Your Arms In Sections
One thing that you will notice when you shave your arms for the first time is that they are curvy and have areas that are hard to see and reach. So, try shaving in sections, such as from the elbow to the wrist and then shoulder to the elbow.
Every time I shave I tell myself to shave the hard-to-see and reach areas first while the blade is the sharpest and cleanest. Yet, before I realize it I’ve shaved the tops of my forearms first – the easiest area to shave. This is especially true if my mind is on something else or I’m listening to music while shaving.
It is a good idea to start by shaving in the direction of the hair growth to limit skin irritation, especially the first time you shave your arms or haven’t shaved in a while.
Rinse your razor after each pass across your skin. You want to keep the blades clear of shaving cream and cut hairs.
If you are like me and shaving in the direction of the hair growth doesn’t result in a close enough shave for your liking, then reapply shaving gel and very carefully shave against the grain. You will likely notice that not all areas of your arms need to be shaved a second time against the grain, especially if you shave regularly.
7. Don’t Rush While Shaving Your Arms
It’s important to take your time while shaving. Don’t choose a morning when you have overslept and are already nearly late for class or late for work as the morning to shave your arms – that will be an accident waiting to happen.
Take special care when shaving your arms because of all the curves and hard-to-see areas, and take extra care around bony elbows. I bend my arm when shaving around my elbow and it helps prevent nicks and cuts.
I always tell girls to make an occasion out of shaving, especially the first few times. Use shaving as an opportunity to feel really girly while you shave.
8. Make Sure To Moisturize Your Skin After Shaving
Once you have finished shaving, rinse off your arms. Then gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Never rub shaved skin dry. I find that the softer and fluffier the towel I use, the girlier I feel.
Once your skin is dry, apply a moisturizing lotion or oil, preferably alcohol-free, to help maintain skin moisture. If you don’t have moisturizing lotion or you find that the container is empty after you have shaved, use the Mediterranean hack that I learned since moving to Spain. Olive oil is superb for moisturizing your skin, just use it sparingly.
Make sure to also rinse off and clean your razor before setting it aside to dry. As I mentioned earlier, once your razor is dry, store it away from the dampness of the shower or bath edge so that the blades don’t rust.
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