We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” For better or for worse, some habits just withstand the test of time. That phrase might feel foreign in the world of skincare, where constant innovation means we don’t have the luxury of sticking with our same-old routines for too long.
With trends changing weekly and new products dropping daily, there always seems to be a skincare fad ready to shake up our already unstable routine, like “slugging.” (Okay, but seriously — who came up with that name?)
If there’s one golden practice that has persisted throughout the decades, it’s shaving.
Whether you’re battling a full beard or just a furry upper lip, men and women alike struggle every day to tame their facial hair. Time and time again, everyone turns to the ye olde method of shaving. Look we get it… it’s fast, easy, and basically all we know how to do. Sure, we nick ourselves a few times and the hair grows back immediately — but what other options are there?
Lucky for you, we are here to pull you into 2024 and tell you that there’s a better way to rid yourself of that slowly expanding jungle on your face. Plus, you can save time and money while doing it! Who’d want to turn that down?
We know parting ways with a comforting routine is hard, so let’s take it step-by-step and break down why face shaving might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Then, we will show you the hair removal device that will change the game for you and your skin. (Don’t worry, we spill all our best secrets here.)
No Mo’ Stache
Don’t get us wrong! We’re not saying shaving is the devil’s tool. Shaving is a safe and effective PCOS facial hair removal technique that sees immediate (albeit, extremely temporary) results.
After all, it is one of the oldest skincare regimens dating back to ancient Rome – yeah it’s OLD old. Doesn’t that make you stop and think… “Hmm surely, we must have invented something better by now?” 🤔
As we said, shaving is very safe — but only if you take your time and move carefully. No matter your skin type, all faces have extremely sensitive skin which is prone to irritation such as razor burn (as most of us who when through puberty know 👀).
Even with shaving cream or shave gel as part of your shaving/ skincare routine, regular shaving may be causing unnecessary side effects like abrasions and repeated damage to the skin’s protective barrier. Even worse, folliculitis barbae is a skin condition common in areas that are prone to excessive or repeated shaving, most notably men’s beard lines.
Blade Runner
If you absolutely insist upon committing to the razor (or if you use it to prep for other hair removal techniques), here are some helpful tips to avoid any accidental abrasions or skin damage:
- Choose a razor with embedded moisturizing strips to hydrate left behind dry skin or an electric razor with a small rotating blade.
- Gently wash your face and exfoliate before shaving. This can help to avoid ingrown hairs and will remove dead skin cells.
- If the blade is dull, dump it! Skin irritation such as razor bumps and rashes can occur from reshaving over the same area (which is the only option with dull blades). Try to not use the same blade more than three to four times.
- Don’t rush it! We know you woke up late ⏰ and have to get to work but take your time. We promise the minute you gained by rushing is not worth the cuts and sore skin you will cause.
TL;DR: The 411 on Shaving
Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of shaving to help our more visual learners make the most informed decision on whether to continue with the ancient practice — or leave it in the past:
The Good
- Can be easily done at home
- Provides immediate results
- Removes all types of facial hair and body hair including peach fuzz and vellus hair
The Bad
- Results only last a day or two (sometimes only hours)
- Leads to common or frequent breakouts
- Causes skin irritaiton
The Ugly
- Disposable razors are harmful to the environment and your wallet 💸
- Abrasive shaving can lead to conditions like folliculitis barbae
Is There Really a Better Way?
Oh dear reader, we are so glad you asked. 😉
In this bright new world of 2024, we have plenty of options for hair removal. We’re sure you’ve heard of waxing (not our personal fave — ouchie) or hair removal lotions, but a popular hair removal technique that also works on your face is laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal rose to popularity in the late 90s and early 2000s. It got an early rep for being effective at ridding legs, bikini lines, and underarms of unwanted hair. Its marketing distinctly left out the male market and our girlies who want to shed that stache. Laser hair removal (unknown to many) is incredibly effective and safe to use on facial hair.
For those just joining us, laser hair removal works by shooting a highly concentrated beam of light into the hair follicle. After absorbing this light, the hair pigment converts it to heat and zaps the hair follicles, blocking new growth from forming and leaving you with long-term (but not permanent) hair removal.
Laser hair removal is relatively painless and can leave you with clear, smooth skin for months (or even up to a year) after a few sessions. Especially with facial hair, laser hair removal treatments are incredibly fast, as the laser only has to pass over the treatment area once per session to work its magic.
An Even Better “Better Way” *GASP*
We love the longevity that laser hair removal offers. Still, it removes some of our favorite benefits of shaving like being able to do the treatment yourself at home (and in-office laser treatments can be pretty pricey these days). That’s where IPL comes in…
Intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are an alternative to laser hair removal that can be performed in a doctor’s office — but it can also be done at home (*happy dance*). IPL is a gentler light therapy that delivers pulses of light to the hair follicle (much closer than any bladed razors or trimmers) and causes the hairs to fall out.
Similar to laser hair removal, IPL requires four to six sessions over the span of one to two months for a complete round of treatment. The thought of going to a doctor’s office that many times? Yuck. (Do they even know how expensive gas is lately?!) Thankfully, doing that at home is easy peasy.
Commitment is hard (believe us we know), but don’t let that stop you. Even though IPL requires several sessions, you will see an immediate difference in hair density and growth time. After the first treatment, most new patients experience a 10% to 25% reduction in hair growth.
Now there is one more important note: You can’t benefit from the 21st century magic of IPL without acknowledging the ancient ways of shaving. Funny enough, IPL treatments do require that you pre-shave the area of skin being treated.
This allows the light to penetrate the skin more easily and travel directly to the root of the hair. Just remember, four to six sessions, and you won’t have to think about that hair for another six to eight months. That means less time with a shaver on your face and more time with dolphin-smooth skin.
Interesting how we’ve come full circle here, isn’t it… 😏
Something Old, Something New
We know how hard it can be to break a habit. Heck, we’ve had “get a gym membership” on our New Years' resolution list for four years running. Still, that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the amazing benefits that new skincare technologies have to offer, like laser hair removal or IPL systems.
One of the many benefits of living in this day of advanced skincare practices is that handheld IPL devices like RoseSkinCo’s OG are super user-friendly, easily available online, and can be shipped right to your door (no need to wait for a dermatologist appointment). (And they won’t break the bank the way repeated laser treatments will!) Plus, you can laser away from the comfort of your own bathroom (or couch, we won’t judge).
Shaving will always be there for you in a pinch — but if you are ready to explore this brand new world of hair removal and remove facial hair permanently, a host of options are just a click away.
Sources:
Shaving vs Waxing What’s Better For Your Skin | Cleveland Clinic
