Hair removal is part of grooming and is a commonly shared experience. For those very particular about skincare, you must have mastered the art of shaving but have you ever combined scrubbing and shaving?

You don’t necessarily need to be an expert when it comes to that, but the specific order is very important and that’s where things get tricky. In this blog, we have everything you may want to learn about proper hair removal through shaving.

Why use a body scrub?

So, how to use exfoliating body scrub and should you exfoliate before shaving? The answer is yes, as this will prevent the razor from becoming overloaded with dead skin cells which in turn reduces its effectiveness. So, exfoliating before shaving is a pro tip. 

If you believe there are no dead skin cells, you must know that your skin is in constant regeneration. This means that the old skin cells slough off as they die to be replaced by new cells. For a fact, your body sheds 40000 cells from your skin in a single day. At times these fall off easily while at other times they may linger, as they stick to each other and the natural oils of your skin. This gives way to the dull, dry, and flaky appearance of your skin. 

Besides, it does not only help for a more thorough experience but also smoothers your skin. exfoliating with products infused with beta hydroxy acids and salicylic acid effectively clears pores, which averts the overproduction of oil and thus prevents ingrown hair. 

You may want to use a physical exfoliant such as a body scrub or body wash with salt, sugar, and micro-pearls to eradicate dead skin cells. You should make sure you get the best body exfoliating scrub that is designed for your skin type to minimize any irritation that may occur. 

If you feel like the physical body scrub is very harsh on your skin, you may want to opt for a chemical exfoliant. This offers similar exfoliating benefits for your skin but in a gel form that doesn’t have any scrubbing ingredients. 

All in all, you must look for high-quality ingredients combining manual, chemical, and enzymatic exfoliants. Hydrating moisturizers must also be considered to restore your skin's glow. 

How long should you wait for shaving after you exfoliate?

The ideal thing about exfoliating before you shave is that you wouldn’t have to wait before you use that razor. Post exfoliation with your choice of physical or chemical exfoliant, it is common that you may start shaving. This will smoothen and buff your skin to provide a clean canvas and therefore prep it well for hair removal. 

Is it okay to exfoliate after shaving?

Do you use body scrub before or after shaving? The basic purpose of skin exfoliation before you shave is to get rid of the dirt, and dead cells built up on your skin that may halt the hair removal process. Nevertheless, it is an essential step to keep the sprouting of ingrown hair at bay. You don’t need to instantly exfoliate after shaving but exfoliate with a day gap after your shaving session to reduce ingrown hair and keep follicles fresh for new growth. 

Why shave at all?

There are many hair removal choices, such as waxing, threading, and laser; so why shave? Most people opt for shaving since it is not only effective but inexpensive as well as quick. On the contrary, waxing is a very tedious process even despite getting ready-made wax strips. You have to warm them first then apply each on your skin and even then, you are left with patches of hair. There is a wide variety of razors available in the market from disposable, cartridge, and electric variations. 

Shaving is not only confined to getting rid of body hair it is also about skincare. This is because just as you scrub, when you shave you get rid of all the dead skin cells accumulated on your body. 

Should I shave up or down?

Shaving against the course of your hair growth offers the closest shave for smooth skin. However, your skin may get irritated if your hair has a long length. So, you can begin shaving with the grain as this will shorten your hair. Then you can do the opposite, serving as your best solution for smooth and soft skin. 

Step-by-step guide for shaving

If you are wondering how to incorporate a body scrub into your shaving routine, we have listed a few steps you can do in the best way to achieve smooth legs. 

Step1 

You need to ensure the shower has warm water to open your pores. 

Step2

Prep your skin by smearing your best body exfoliating scrub. Gently rub in circular motions.

Step3

Rinse off the scrub from your legs thoroughly before you apply the shaving cream.

Step4

Make sure you shave against the grain of your hair, also keep rinsing the razor between each round to prevent hair from accumulating in the razor. 

Step5

After you are done, wash your legs and dry them properly. Apply some lotion to your legs immediately afterward. 

The final verdict

So those of you who did not know the importance of exfoliating before shaving, now you may understand exfoliating and shaving go hand in hand. From removing dead skin cells and the dullness they bring to removing ingrown hair properly, exfoliating with the best body exfoliating scrub is crucial before you shave. It is also essential that you scrub in circular motion, cleanse the razor frequently, and rinse your legs with warm water to derive the maximum benefits from exfoliating and shaving.