Much Ado About Shaving

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For anyone who is required to keep themselves shaved, it can be a bit of a challenge. Members of LATCHES, both past and present, have talked this topic to death. What has resulted in a lot of information about keeping yourself smooth as a baby's bottom. Here is a summary of what we have found most helpful!

Basic recommendations

When shaving with a double-edged razor, buy a good one, i.e., a double-edged pivoting-head man's face razor, or a wet/dry razor.

Use a good moisturizing shaving cream/gel, or Dove liquid soap.

Other recommendations:

• Hot pre-shave soak (in a tub or with a towel)
• Use a fresh blade every time
• Shave daily

Suggested aftercare included keeping the area dry and clean, using a Loofah sponge on the area daily for exfoliation, avoiding underwear or elastic rubbing against the shaved areas for a few days, and not using creams or lotions with perfumes as they aggravate skin irritation.

For red bumps, cortisone creams*, Gold's Medicated Powder, tea-tree oil, and Tend Skin (1/800-940-8423) were suggested. One member offered tweezers as the only solution for ingrown hairs.

*See note below

Alternatives to wet razors

Men's electric face razors (high-quality, such as Braun's mid-line product) and beard trimmers. The electric face razor should be used only on very dry skin. For example, if you bathe in the morning, exfoliate in the shower then but shave last thing at night. These work best extremely short hair, so use a beard trimmer (see below) first, or trim with scissors and a comb. Shave every day for optimum results.

Beard trimmers are cheap, quick and easy to use, but won't shave as close as either a wet or an electric razor. But, like the electric razor, there's no razor burn or ingrown hairs (and it's great for the anal area if complete smoothness is not a must).

Depilatories

Nair, Magic Shaving Powder and Magic Shaving Cream. The latter, in a tube, is often preferred as it comes in a formula for ultra-sensitive skin. These have been found at Walgreen's and Wal-Mart and are generally marketed for black men's facial hair. All have to be used carefully or they can cause chemical burns. One member, to avoid burns, said she leaves the Magic Shaving Powder on only about 3 minutes then gently rubs some off with a damp cloth to check if the hairs come away with it. If not, she waits a minute longer and tests again. While some ladies scraped the solution off, another member found that washing it off in the shower with plenty of soap helped her avoid chemical burns. If chemical burns do result, a mixture of aloe vera with vitamin E gel, and not wearing underwear for the next few days were recommended. One member also felt that women should NOT use talc or cornstarch as they can migrate into the vaginal area, and cornstarch especially is a breeding material for bacteria. Overall, the ladies who use these products feel that, when used with care, these products give great results.

Wax and Tweeze

Waxing and tweezing remove hair at the roots, and when grown back, the hair can be much offer than the re-growth from shaving. "Pulled hair may also take longer to re-grow. Several waxes are available -- one recommended type is water soluble and can be used either hot or cold. Also, Muslim women have been using a homemade sugar/lemon juice wax for years -- finding a recipe can be difficult, however, but should be worth a search on the 'net. The main drawback to pulling hair out to the roots is that it hurts, re-growth needs to be long enough to 'grab,' and, if done professionally, can be expensive.

Laser and Electrolysis

Laser treatments and electrolysis were also suggested, but read up well on these, as they can be expensive and time-consuming without providing the claimed "permanent" results the first time around.

A note about cortisone creams

Check with your doctor before using it "down there" as it may cause more problems than it cures. Consider using it only if the reaction is very severe because cortisone can really sting - often worse than the rash. The real problem is that cortisone derivatives thin the skin, thereby encouraging infection. Using it on a regular basis could be risky. The regular use of cortisone may increase susceptibility to opportunistic fungal infections like Candida albicans (the fungus that causes yeast infections & thrush).