Ingrown hairs. Itchy bumps. Burning. irritated skin.
Post-shave irritation is no fun, but all too common - especially for Black men. That’s because tight, curly facial hairs are more likely to grow back into the skin after shaving. This leads to pain, bumps, and other skin irritation.
Want to end the shave irritation and turn this miserable grooming task into a daily ritual you can actually enjoy? Great, these tips will help - whether you're a Black man who sticks to a clean shaven look or need beard care for Black men tips when trimming and cleaning your beard.
1 - Shave with a Better Razor
The number one shaving tip for Black men is to always use a clean, high quality razor. You can't do a great job if you're working with the wrong tools.
Many Black men are able to reduce ingrown hairs and other uncomfortable post-shave problems just by switching to a single blade safety razor. Why?
Razor manufacturers often promote their multi-blade contraptions as offering the closest shave possible. But what they don’t tell you is that more blades often means more irritation and higher risk of ingrown hairs. Multi-blade razors trim hairs extremely close to - and in some cases under - the skin. This means they're more likely to curl back in on themselves and get stuck beneath the skin as they regrow.
A single blade or straight razor is a better option if you want the closest shave possible but could do without the irritation and ingrown hairs.
2 - Keep Your Skin Moisturized
If your skin is dry or dehydrated, it's more likely to become irritated when shaving. Using moisturizer daily - once in the morning and once in the evening - will keep your skin looking great and maintain its natural barrier. What does that have to do with shaving?
Your skin's natural barrier locks in moisture, keeps out unwanted bacteria, and gives your skin a smooth texture. All of that contributes to a smooth, irritation-free shave.
What if you have oily skin? Face moisturizer is still important for your daily skincare habit and for shaving. A natural moisturizer - like our Daily Essential Face Moisturizer - works best. It uses hyaluronic acid, aloe, jojoba, and green tea to hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin. Black men with beards also benefit from using moisturizer regularly. It cares for the skin beneath facial hair and hydrates the skin on the trimmed edges of your beard.
3 - Shave Less Often
Black men who consistently suffer from severe skin irritation should consider shaving less frequently if possible. Every other day (or less) can be far better for your skin better than daily shaving.
Shaving less often reduces the development of ingrown hairs and shaving bumps. But shaving daily can make your facial hair much more prone to become ingrown, inflamed, and infected. It may even lead to pseudofolliculitis barbae, a skin condition that disproportionately affects Black men which causes painful bumps that look and feel like acne and lead to scarring. If you’re experiencing irritation every time you shave despite taking steps to address the problem, talk to your dermatologist.
4 - Exfoliate Before Shaving
Exfoliating your skin with face scrub prepares your skin for a smooth, irritation-free shave. This removes dead skin, cleans out your pores, and moves your whiskers up and away from the skin. They are naturally drawn away from the surface of the skin, which minimizes the chance of ingrown hairs.
Exfoliating is a quick pre-shave step that makes a big difference, so it's one of the top shaving tips for Black men. To enjoy the benefits for yourself, use our Renewing Face Scrub after washing your face and before shaving. Its invigorating scent, nourishing ingredients, and natural formula will set you up for a great shave.
5 - Upgrade to a Hydrating Shave Butter
Foaming shave creams are not a good choice for Black men who want to limit their problems with ingrown hairs. Foam is nothing but tiny air bubbles - it can't provide sufficient lubrication between your razor and your skin. There are far better options out there.
Our Smooth Brushless Shave Butter is a thick lotion that soothes, hydrates, and lubricates the skin before you shave. The result is a far smoother experience than you’d ever get from a foaming product. Plus, it’s made with natural ingredients that won’t cause irritation, including glycerin, jojoba, and aloe vera.
6 - Use Gentle Shaving Techniques
Shaving should not be a battle against your skin. Instead, think of this as an opportunity to pamper your skin and finish with it looking and feeling better than before. Use these shaving tips for Black men to ensure the process is gentle:
- Shave with the direction of hair growth
- Don't pull or tug on your skin for a closer shave
- Rinse your blade after each stroke
- Use warm - not scalding hot - water
- Reapply shave cream as often as necessary
- Make long, smooth motions with your razor instead of short, scraping strokes
7 - Finish with Soothing Aftershave
The kind of aftershave you use makes a difference. You don’t want to irritate your skin with an alcohol-based product. Its anti-bacterial benefits do not make up for the way it dries out and tightens your skin. Other ingredients offer the same benefits without the many disadvantages of alcohol.
To promote healthy hair growth and limit ingrown hairs, follow up on your shave with a soothing aftershave that keeps your skin hydrated. Alcohol does the opposite - which is why you won’t find it in our Instant Relief Aftershave. Instead, its formula includes non-irritating ingredients from nature: aloe vera, coconut, and hyaluronic acid.
