Care after shaving

Most men shave routinely to get rid of facial hair and get a smooth look. Shaving also acts as a form of physical exfoliation by removing dead skin layer and helps to maintain the skin health. However, the simple act of shaving involves rubbing our face with razor blades that damage and causes irritation to the skin. Our skin is most vulnerable after shaving, and there are certain care measures we need to follow to reduce skin irritation.

What is an aftershave?

Aftershave can be a liquid, lotion or gel that is applied on the face after shaving to soothe and protect the chafed skin.

Historically, aftershave products were made to help prevent infections that arise after any minor cuts or nicks on the face; it was achieved by an antiseptic element such as denatured alcohol or natural ingredients with antiseptic action. These agents also act as astringents by closing the pores in the skin and preventing irritation that is commonly known as razor burn.

Modern day aftershaves usually contain many additional components which provide other benefits apart from disinfection.

They also may contain conditioning agents which moisturise and soften the skin after a shave. The moisturiser locks in the moisture and protects the freshly shaven skin. These may be either humectant (example glycerin and alpha-hydroxy acid) that pulls moisture from the environment into the skin or lipids (oily substances such as lanolin) that prevent moisture escaping from the skin.

Antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E may be present to protect the skin from the environment.

They may contain proteins and extracts such as sweet almond or prickly pear that help to soothe and repair the abraded skin.

Most will contain a perfume that provides a nice scent. The perfume has become an important feature considered while buying an aftershave. Many fashion brands have aftershave lotions with premium pricing because of their perfume.

What are the advantages of using an aftershave?

The epidermis of the skin depends on the superficial layer called stratum corneum and its lipid layer for protection and to maintain moisture and prevent entry of harmful irritants and chemicals into the deeper layers of the skin.

When we shave, this lipid barrier is breached, and water from deeper layers of skin can escape, causing a dehydrated skin, this makes the skin vulnerable to irritation by the entry of irritants and chemicals from the environment that can result in a sensitised skin. Once the skin is inflamed, it becomes sensitive and easily irritable.

The aftershaves perform many functions such as:

• Prevent infection of the skin (antiseptic effect)
• Replenishes the moisture lost during shaving
• Soothes the irritated skin
• Forms a protective layer to protect external irritants
• Provides a pleasant scent

A good aftershave replaces the lost moisture during the shaving, replaces the moisture lost during the shave and leaves a protective layer that protects against shaving irritations such as razor burns.

Things to note while selecting a good aftershave.

• Look at all the ingredients in an aftershave:
• Preferably select one that does not contain denatured alcohol as the antiseptic as it causes more dryness of the skin.
• See if it contains humectants and rehydrating agents such as glycerin or sodium hyaluronate which hydrate the skin.
• Look if there soothing agents or calming ingredients that restore the moisture and rebuild the barrier such as sucrose, caffeine, etc.
• Some aftershaves may also have anti-aging ingredients like growth factors and vitamin C, which may help in restoring and preventing skin damage.
• A good product will also have a barrier restoring ingredient (examples include murumuru butter)

The presence of most of these categories of ingredients in your aftershave will ensure that you will have less of post-shave skin complications.

Take your skin type into account while selecting the product. If you have dry skin, a shave lotion or balm that is rich in moisturisers is best suited for you. For oily skin, a solution with astringent may be a good bet. If you have combination skin, go for products labelled for combination skin.

Some individuals have sensitive skin that itch, burn or get a rash when certain shaving or skin care products are used. Such people should specifically use products manufactured for sensitive skin.

For certain men, the skin is extremely sensitive and are prone to getting rashes or razor burns easily with aftershave. They can try shaving at less frequent intervals or use an aftershave with lesser ingredients on the skin. Some may have an allergy to specific ingredients in the aftershave (example hazel) and will have to avoid products containing such ingredients. The other alternative for those with sensitive skin is to use a cooling gel cream that soothes the shaven skin and restores moisture.

Consult a top Cosmetic Physician Anonymously !!