7 Shaving Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Skin

Here are the most common mistakes dermatologists see women make—and how to never screw up again.

1. You Don’t Lather Up
Dry shaving—ouch. Even though it saves time, it almost always causes little red bumps that last for days. Shaving cream and gel were designed to help your razor glide gently across your skin without tugging or pulling

2. You Use Your Disposable Razor for More Than a Week
Yes, you need to toss it once a week if you’re shaving every single day. Dull blades are more likely to cause razor bumps, irritation, nicks, and cuts, and old blades can harbor bacteria, which can lead to infections.

3. You Shave in the Opposite Direction of Your Hair Growth
True, it might help you get a slightly closer shave, but it’ll also cause pain. Plus, the blunt-tipped end of the hairs can grow back into the skin rather than up and out.

4. You Do It as Fast as You Possibly Can
You’re more likely to nick yourself, irritate your skin, or miss spots when you’re trying to shave too quickly

5. You Apply Too Much Pressure
When it comes to how hard you should be pressing the razor blade down on your skin, always remember less is more. The harder you bear down, the more uneven the skin surface becomes, because you are essentially creating dimples where the blade falls.

6. You Don’t Exfoliate Beforehand
To avoid razor bumps, you should use an exfoliator before whipping out that razor. That’s because it removes dead skin cells, allowing your razor to glide over areas easier.

7. You Skip Moisturizing Afterwards
It’s best to moisturize your skin as soon as you step out of the shower, since applying moisturizer while your skin is still damp helps lock everything in. If you skip this step, the top layers of your skin can quickly become dry and dehydrated from the combo of exfoliating and shaving.