Should you shave your arms?
If you are shaving arms for the first time, you may be curious about the benefits and some of the most important tips to do it comfortably.
While some people may ask ‘is it bad to shave your arms’, there are no particular risks and lots of women like the benefits of silky-smooth skin. With less hair to hold on to sweat, you may also notice hygiene benefits.
You may have heard that hair will grow back faster and thicker but our guide tackles some of the most popular grooming myths like this. Hair may feel coarser as it grows back, but this is simply because you are feeling the hair’s root reappearing.
As with any area of the body, you might experience razor burn if you use a dull razor, so follow our tips on how to shave your arms for the best results.
Trim longer arm hair as needed
If your arm hair is long and thick, consider trimming it down with an electric razor, trimmer or a pair of scissors before using a razor for shaving your arms.
This helps keep your razor blade sharper for longer and helps prevent shaving the same area over and over which can cause skin irritation.
Soak your arms in warm water
Shaving dry skin leads to more scratches, razor burn and bumps. Ensure your arms are well-hydrated before you shave. Soaking them in warm water does the trick, so run a warm bath or shower for about three to five minutes.
What’s more, washing your arms first has the added benefit of making sure your skin is clean when you shave, further reducing the chances of skin irritation. For anyone concerned about arm stubble, soaking your arms will also help you to get a closer shave.
Exfoliate before you shave your arms
Exfoliation helps keep your skin healthy by removing dead skin which can increase the chances of getting razor bumps and rashes.
Grab a gentle scrub or loofah and gently rub your arms to exfoliate your skin and clear any loose hair and dead cells before shaving arms.
Apply shaving gel
Use shaving gel to preserve moisture and allow your razor blade to glide across your skin easily. This helps to prevent razor burn and bumps.
Shaving gel also helps you see where you have shaved so you don’t accidentally over shave the same areas and irritate your skin.
Use a sharp razor to shave your arms
Always use a sharp razor blade when shaving to protect your skin from razor rashes, ingrown hairs and skin irritation. This discomfort is what happens if you shave your arms without lubrication and smooth shaving.
Blades generally last 5 to 10 shaves, however the best sign it’s time to change your blade is if it becomes dull and tugs at your skin.
Shaving arms with dull razor blades can pull at body hair, feel rough on your skin and cause more scratches, cuts and irritation.
Shave your arms in sections
Since arms are curvy and have areas that are hard to see and reach, try shaving in sections, such as from your elbow to your wrist and then from your shoulder to your elbow.
Shave in the direction of the hair growth to limit skin irritation. Rinse your razor after each stroke to keep the blades clear of shaving gel and cut hairs.
If shaving in the direction of the hair growth doesn’t result in a close enough shave, reapply the shaving gel and carefully shave against the grain.
Take your time while shaving your arms
It’s important to take your time when shaving your arms, because of all the curves and hard-to-see areas.
Shave in light, steady strokes, and take extra care around bony elbows. Try bending your arm when shaving around your elbow to help prevent scratches and cuts.
Moisturise your skin after you shave your arms
After you finish shaving, rinse off your arms and gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Apply a moisturising lotion or oil, preferably alcohol-free, to help maintain moisture.
Make sure you also rinse off and clean your razor, then set it aside to dry.