Busting Shaving Myths
Ever wondered if shaving hair really does make them regrow thicker? Or whether you should or shouldn't tweeze an ingrown hair?
When it comes to hair removal methods, there are many rumors and misconceptions. We're here to set the record straight about those shaving myths so you can finally sleep at night. Okay, so maybe the myths don't keep you awake at night, but it's always nice to boost your beauty knowledge, right?
Keep reading to hear us busting shaving myths.
True or False: Shaving Makes Hair Grow Faster?
...false
For some reason, there's a rumor whirling around that shaving speeds up hair growth. Untrue! In reality, natural human hair grows at an average of 0.35mm per day from the root and no razor blade or shaving technique can change that.
True or False: Ingrowns Should Be Plucked?
...true and false
Ingrowns can be plucked but only if they look normal and you're not experiencing any redness, irritation, or oozing. If you are, leave your ingrown alone and wait it out, or better yet get it checked out by a professional. Generally speaking, we'd always advise leaving it alone rather than attempting to tackle it on your own.
"One way to tell [if the hair is too deep to be tweezed] is that if the area has a wide red area around it and producing pus it should be looked at by a professional," says dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. "It is likely a more aggressive infection. If the area is small, it is OK to drain it first then remove the hair."
True or False: Shaving Hairs Make them Darker?
...false
This is myth 1 in the world of shaving. It's a common belief that shaving causes hair to regrow darker. You may have even noticed it yourself, wondering why your hairs started off lighter and now appear darker. It turns out, it's all down to genetics, race, and medications. Only these factors can influence hair color. Razors only scrape the surface of the skin, even with a close shave, so it's impossible for them to modify the color, thickness, or length of the hair root as it lies too deep under the skin.
True or False: Shaving Hair Makes them Regrow Thicker?
...false
Like in the case of the color modification regrowth, shaving doesn't go deep enough to affect the thickness of body hair. So you can keep on shaving as usual without worrying that you're making hairs grow thicker.
True or False: Shaving Facial Hair is a Bad Idea
...true
While some believe in the power of shaving the face, there's a lot of contradicting evidence surrounding its effectiveness. For starters, shaving your face can cause skin irritation - especially if you have sensitive skin. If you have acne-prone skin, face shaving is a no-no as it can worsen your symptoms and cause a lot of discomfort.
On the other hand, certain dermatologists believe running a new razor over your face can slough away dead skin cells, serving as a form of exfoliation for the skin.
As for us, we think we'll stick with the old fashioned way of just...well...washing our face...
True or False: Dry Shaving is Just As Effective as Wet Shaving?
...False
You may have heard of the phrase, "dry shave?" Personally, we think it should be eliminated from beauty vocab as nobody should ever dry shave. Shaving without water and shaving cream is a recipe for irritation, razor bumps, flaky skin, and ingrowns. We strongly advise against it if you want to steer clear of discomfort.
"Shaving cream and gel were designed to help your razor glide gently across your skin without tugging or pulling," says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. "Without them, you’re most certainly left with razor burn, cuts, skin damage, and irritation."
ACHIEVE A FLAWLESS SHAVE IN THREE STEPS
For a super-smooth shave, try Truly's Silky Smooth Shave Set. Inside, you'll find our Moon Rocks Scrub - an exfoliating product to dissolve dead skin cells; our Coco Cloud Shave Butter for an ultra-close shave free of cuts and nicks; and our Unicorn Fruit Butter to moisturize your skin. You'll feel like a glowing goddess by the time you're finished!
Step 1: Exfoliation
In the shower or tub, take a scoop of the Moon Rocks Scrub and massage it into wet skin. Spend a couple of minutes going over the areas you plan to shave. By doing this, you'll prepare your skin for the shaving process and improve the end result.
Step 2: The Shave
Now take a generous amount of the Coco Cloud Shave Butter and apply it to your legs, bikini area, or underarms - wherever you're going to shave. Using your razor, glide a new razor across your skin working with the direction of your hair growth. Working against the direction of hair growth might appear to deliver a closer shave, but it'll leave your skin vulnerable to bumps, burns, and cuts.
Step 3: Moisturize
Once you've finished shaving, rinse your skin to remove all the shaving butter. Then follow up with Unicorn Fruit to nourish your skin and lock in moisture. Exfoliating and shaving can be very drying for the skin. That's why it's always a good idea to apply lotion after doing these things to lock in moisture and make your skin extra smooth and soft.
And finally, don't forget to load up on sunscreen if you shave in the morning to protect your skin from sun damage.
Whether you're a shaving buff or waxing fanatic, you've no doubt heard all the myths surrounding the shaving hair removal process. We hope we've cleared a few of them up for you so you can shave with a clear conscience now. And remember to try out our Silky Smooth Set to achieve a dreamy-soft shave for hours to come. It only takes three steps to get summer-ready legs!
