Does shaving prevent acne?
Acne is caused, for the most part, because of an overabundance of the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes or an imbalance in hormones. And shaving will not correct either of these problems. However, there are steps that can be taken to prevent unnecessary pain when shaving due to acne outbreaks.
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To help cut down on the discomfort caused by shaving with acne, follow these instructions:
Step 1 – Prep Your Skin.
To help reduce acne breakouts or skin irritation due to shaving begin by cleansing the skin to remove excess oil and to kill bacteria. It existing bacteria is not removed it can be spread by shaving. After cleansing the face, use warm water or a skin prep for sensitive skin before shaving to soften the beard and make it easier for the blade to remove. A great pre-shave prep is Mario Badescu’s Pre-shave Conditioner.
Step 2 – Avoid Outbreak Areas.
If you have existing acne, do not let that deter you from shaving. When lathering your face, be sure to avoid breakout areas. This will help you remember where they are so you do not exacerbate the breakout or cause a tear in the skin. A tear in the skin will allow bacteria to penetrate into the epidermis, making it more difficult to rid.
Step 3 – Razor Selection.
If shaving with a blade is bearable, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Use a single blade rather than two or three blade razors. Single blade razors only shave the top layer of the skin, whereas two and three-blade razors shave below the dermis, which can easily cause irritation as the hair begins to grow and has to fight it’s way to the dermis.
- Use proper technique. Smaller, softer strokes will do an effective job removing hair and will help reduce irritation. Using shorter strokes will also help avoid breakout areas.
Step 4 – Do NOT Shave Against The Grain.
Facial hair does not all grow in the same direction. Take a minute before shaving to examine your hair patterns and always shave with the grain. Shaving against the grain will inevitable cause razor bumps or breakouts if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Step 5 – Close Open Pores.
When finished shaving, consider using an alcohol-free toner to kill bacteria, and close open pores to prevent acne bacteria from entering into the pores. It is important to use an alcohol-free toner as alcohol will promote dry, tight skin. A good alcohol-free toner, also from Acne Skin Care Expert Mario Badescu is Seaweed Cleansing Lotion. I use this every day after shaving.
Other Shave Tips For Those With Acne:
- Shave only as needed. It is not necessary to shave on a daily basis. If you can get away with a little facial hair growth then let it grow. However, everyone is different. If you feel that shaving help cut down on the amount of oil produced by your skin, then you can get away with shaving more often.
- Exfoliate. This is not a step that is recommended for everyone with acne, as some have more sensitive skin than others. Also, shaving exfoliates the skin, and no one with sensitive or acne-prone skin should over-exfoliate that area. However, the nose, t-zone and forehead area may need gentle exfoliation.
- Conceal. Help heal and dry acne breakouts while covering the redness at the same time. Here is a medicated healing and concealing powder very helpful to use after shaving.
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Acne Treatments
Almost every case of acne can be resolved, thanks to today’s treatments. There are three things to remember when getting rid of acne lesions and preventing new ones from forming:
1) Finding a cure that works for you takes time.
2) What works for one person does not always work for another.
3) A dermatologist’s help may be required.
Finding an acne cure that works for you takes time. Many treatments on today’s market promise fast, miraculous, or even overnight results just to capture the attention of acne sufferers hoping for quick resolution. However, the fact remains that acne will never clear instantly. An estimated 6 to 8 weeks are needed to begin to see a significant change in complexion. Once acne improves or clears, continued treatment is essential in order to keep acne from re-appearing. If acne does NOT improve in 6 to 8 weeks, adjustments may need to be made to the treatment.
What works for one person may not work for another. Many factors affect acne resolution, such as the cause of the acne, a person’s skin type, and the type of acne lesions present. These differences will many times prevent a successful treatment for one person from being successful for another.
A dermatologist’s help may be required. With so many factors affecting acne clearance and a multitude of treatment options available on today’s market (some only by prescription), a dermatologist’s help can make a difference. When prescribing treatment for acne, dermatologists consider several factors, including: acne severity, type of lesions present, co-existing conditions, as well as the patient’s age, skin type, and lifestyle.
The knowledge gained from these considerations allow dermatologists to establish therapy individual to each patient in order to help them resolve their acne and prevent new lesions from forming.
Sometimes a dermatologist may combine two or more treatment options. A patient may be instructed to use one medication in the morning and the other at night. Or, two medications may be combined in one prescription medication. Due to possible side effects, over-the-counter medications should not be combined unless directed by a dermatologist or other medical practitioner.
Acne responds especially well to early treatment. Dermatologists recommend that acne be treated early to maximize effectiveness as well as help prevent scarring.