As a man or teenage boy who struggles with acne, it can be difficult to perform your facial grooming habits without making your acne worse. Do you resort to having a five o’clock shadow or risk an embarrassing acne breakout by shaving? Fortunately, there are some shaving habits you can adopt to reduce the risk of aggravating your acne-prone skin.
- Use the right cleanser. Acne breeds on bacteria, so don’t forget to keep your facial skin clean on a daily basis. For best results, use a cleanser with Salicylic Acid, which will treat acne as well as help prevent ingrown hairs.
- Consider Steam. Acne irritation caused by shaving can also be reduced by going old-school and steaming up your skin like traditional barbershops used to do. Taking a shower or placing a warm wet washcloth over your face will soften the skin and hair for smoother shaving.
- Condition. Hair conditioning products aren’t restricted to scalp application. There are also pre-shave conditioners that allow your bearded hairs to soften before you apply the razor.
- Shave in the right direction. Always shave in the direction of the hair growth. Not only will this allow for a closer shave, but it is less likely to aggravate the surrounding skin or cause ingrown hairs. If you must make multiple razor passes over the same area, do so gently so that you don’t rupture existing pimples.
- Know when to skip a day. If you are suffering from a serious acne breakout, it may be best to take the day off (or a few) from shaving. Make the judgement call as to whether your acne or your facial hair needs your attention more.
If you battle acne on a regular basis, careless shaving habits could lead to frequent breakouts, infection and even bleeding. To learn the best shaving products for your particular skin type, please contact Olansky Dermatology Associates. We offer complete skin care for men as well as the most advanced acne treatments available.
