Shaving armpit hair for men: 5 tips for shaving armpits without pain and bumps
Shaving armpit hair: it is a job that many men are still unfamiliar with. While for most women it is part of their ritual, there are many men who have no idea how to shave their armpits. But it can still be nice to keep your armpit hair trimmed.
If you want to shave your armpits, we have collected the best tips in this article for smooth armpits without pain or bumps!
Do men shave their armpits?
We have researched this question. You may be surprised to hear that a survey by BALZY found that a whopping 68% of men maintain their armpits. In contrast, 21% of men don't do anything with their armpits simply because they don't know how to do it.
With this in mind, in this article we give you the best tips for shaving your armpits.
Also read our guides on shaving pubic hair , shaving the balls or butt hair .
SHAVING ARMPIT HAIR in five simple steps:
- Trim your armpit hair: Armpits do not have to be bald or smooth. Updating is often sufficient.
- Take a good shower: Warm skin is more supple and that makes shaving your armpit hair a lot easier.
- Choose good tools: Do not shave armpit hair with your facial trimmer or razor. Choose a special trimmer for the body.
- Scrub the skin: After shaving or trimming, scrub the skin. This way everything stays neat and clean.
- Use the right products: Care for the armpit area with products that are PH neutral and do not contain alcohol.
SHOULD MEN SHAVE THEIR ARMPITS?
You could say the answer to this is “yes”. If women have to shave their armpits, then men should too. After all, there is no biological difference why women should do it and men shouldn't. It is purely a beauty ideal.
But does armpit hair have a function at all? Why do we even have hair there? If we take evolution into account, there is certainly a reason why people have hair under their armpits, but is that history still relevant today?
As with many topics, whether or not to shave your armpits is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some great reasons to think about a hairless armpit.
BENEFITS OF SHAVING ARMPIT HAIR
Removing armpit hair has a number of benefits, including:
- Reducing unpleasant body odor: Armpit hair retains odor, but also moisture (sweat) that clings to the hair follicles, which may cause you to not smell as good as you would like.
The pores in your armpits release pheromones with a specific scent. These pheromones also produce chemicals that play a role in sexual attraction. If these pores become clogged with sweat and dirt, you probably won't achieve that fierce appeal. If you give your armpits a good shave, you give yourself the opportunity to smell a lot more attractive and no longer have to carry that awful smell.
- It feels lighter and doesn't itch: If you're first trying to figure out the best way to shave your armpits, you might be doing it because you're tired of that itchy feeling under your arms. If you don't want to look like some kind of hairy prehistoric man, it is now completely accepted to shave your armpits and remove that heavy burden.
- It looks a lot better : Let's face it – we all want to look good. Whether you're lying on the beach or cozying up between the sheets, you always put your best foot (and armpit) first. Very hairy armpits can be a turn-off, so keep them neat so you look your best.
- It is good for your sports performance: Many athletes have been shaving all their body hair – including that of their armpits – for years. It is said that with less hair you perform better and faster in sports such as swimming and cycling. Even if it does not help aerodynamics (the proof has not yet been provided), it can still have a positive placebo effect.
WHY MEN DON'T SHAVE THEIR ARMPITS
There may be several reasons why you decide to let your armpit hair grow. These are the most common reasons men don't shave:
- They don't want the hassle: Some men don't want the extra work of shaving or their daily grooming. Worse still, for some men this care is not even a daily ritual, which explains the heavy hair growth, unpleasant odors and other undesirable issues.
- Skin issues : Some men have sensitive skin and are afraid of razor bumps when they shave their armpits. You can safely ignore this fear as long as you use the right products and tools.
- The look doesn't suit you: Some men just don't like bald armpits.
HOW DO YOU SHAVE YOUR ARMPITS?
If you're ready to get rid of those hairy armpits, it's important that you follow our instructions to prevent razor bumps and unwanted accidents. Make sure you have the right tools and products within reach before you start. Ready to shave your armpit hair?
1. TRIM YOUR ARMPITS
You want to make sure that your armpit hair is a maximum of about 1.5 centimeters long when you shave it. If your armpit hair is longer than that, you will need to trim it first. Start with the correct setting on your trimmer. If this is your first time, choose a slightly longer position. You can always opt for a shorter version later, but if you shave it too short you will have to wait until it grows back.
The BushBuster 4.0 is specially designed with SafeShave™ technology, ideal for sensitive body parts. The comb attachment can be adjusted to different lengths so that you can choose how short you want to trim your armpit hair.
2. TAKE A GOOD SHOWER AFTER SHAVING OR TRIMING
Once you have removed the longest hairs, jump into the shower. A warm shower softens your skin and hair and makes shaving easier. Use a pH-neutral soap so that your body is hydrated and free of unwanted hair. This makes the rest of your shave a lot easier.
3. SCRUB YOUR SKIN
Exfoliating your skin provides an even smoother result because it removes dead skin cells, dirt and residue from the outer layer of the skin. This process also helps prevent ingrown hairs. Make sure you exfoliate with a product that contains salicylic acid or beta hydroxy acid to clear your pores with less chance of clogging after shaving.
Don't go too rough, because that can cause irritation and bumps. So work with mild products and scrub gently.
4. CHOOSE A GOOD RAZOR
You may think that a multi-blade razor offers the best bang for your buck, but before you make that choice, consider that these types of blades can actually cause razor bumps. This is because the hairs can get stuck between the different blades.
If you choose a razor with multiple blades, make sure that the blades are close together. The further apart they are, the more likely your hair or skin will get caught between the blades, causing the hairs to break or be pulled out, resulting in painful razor bumps.
5. USE THE RIGHT SHAVING FOAM
When looking for shaving cream for your arms, choose a product that moisturizes and does not contain alcohol. Products containing aloe or glycerin are usually a good choice for sensitive areas of the body. Stearic acid and colloidal oat flakes are also good ingredients for shaving cream.
6. TAKE IT EASY WHILE SHAVING
You are now ready! Time to shave. Start shaving with the hair growth. Slowly, because you don't want to damage your skin. Once you've cleared most of the hair from your armpit, shave (gently) in all other directions for the smoothest, cleanest result ever. Avoid going over the same spot too often, as this causes irritation.
7. MOISTURIZE AFTER SHAVING
Moisturizing after shaving helps prevent irritation. It also provides a longer and smoother result. For example, use a soft cream or body lotion.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SHAVE YOUR ARMPITS?
The skin under your armpits is a sensitive area. This means that you have to take it easy when you shave. There is no hard and fast rule about how often you should shave your armpits because every man (and his hair growth) is different. Just pay attention to how your hair grows and how your skin feels after shaving.
You probably won't need to shave your armpits every day because razors not only shave the hair, but also remove a layer or two of skin. Most men can skip a day or two, but longer is of course also possible if you wish. According to our research, 60% of men shave their armpits once a week or every two weeks.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT THAT 'GREEN' EFFECT ON YOUR SKIN AFTER SHAVING?
There can be several causes for that greenish effect you see on your skin after shaving. You may not shave close enough to the skin and you can see the hairs through your skin, as it were.
To prevent this, make sure that you first shave with the hair growth and then against the hair growth. It can also help if you exfoliate the skin with a warm towel before shaving. This opens the pores and softens the hair follicles.
IS IT SMART TO EPILATE YOUR ARMPIT?
Epilation (or pulling out the hair) from your armpit means that you remove the hair from the root. The hair then grows back much slower than with other methods, but it can be quite painful. Also important when epilating your armpits: in addition to the painful experience, you are probably more likely to get ingrown hairs.
The method is not necessarily bad, but in our opinion there are better ways to care for your skin and body.
TIPS FOR SHAVING YOUR ARMPITS
Now that you have listed the pros and cons of bald armpits, we would like to give you a few more tips.
Did you know that 33% of men shave their armpits because they think it looks better? 23% do it because it feels good.
We would like to give you a quick manscaping course so that you can also belong to this group of men if you wish.
- Replace your razor often - Depending on how often you shave, you should replace your razor every week to once every two weeks (if you shave every day). If you shave twice a week, replace your razor every four to six weeks.
- To avoid razor bumps, don't go over the same area over and over again - The motto for each area should be: one, two and done. Then continue. Don't damage your skin by going over the same area over and over again.
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Always moisturize to prevent ingrown hairs in your armpit - Hydration is very important after shaving, even though it may feel counterintuitive to moisturize your armpits because you normally try to keep them dry.
Use a good quality product with natural ingredients so that sensitive skin is not damaged after you put the razor away. -
Never share your razor with anyone else - Treat your razor the same as your toothbrush – make sure it has its own place in the world and don't let anyone else use your razor.
It's better to buy cheap disposable blades than let someone else use your razor. They may contain bacteria and particles that you really don't want to share with anyone. - Use different razor blades for different body parts - Do your beard and balls a favor – give them each their own tool. Every body part has something that you don't want to pass on to another body part. (And your balls will stink from poor ball hygiene)
The best way to stay healthy is to give each part of the body you want to shave its own razor. (Also read why it 's really gross to shave your pubic hair with your facial trimmer ).
Never shave over a wound - Do you have a wound, scratch, cut or pimple? Then leave your skin alone so that it can heal first. Running a razor over already damaged skin can lead to infection or a delayed healing process.
Keep your skin tight while you shave - Always keep your skin tight when using your razor. Sagging skin can get stuck between or under the blades – both very painful.
Shaving pubic hair? Check out our guide
If after reading this article you are in the mood to rid your body of every stray hair, we have written some handy guides for you. We tell you more about shaving pubic hair in our most comprehensive article. Or read our best tips for shaving your balls . Finally, we also have tips for shaving butt hair . After all, everything needs its own approach, and at BALZY shaving is our specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are some common mistakes people make when shaving their armpits?
Common mistakes include using a dull razor, shaving dry skin, using too much pressure while shaving, and sharing razor blades with others.
Are there specific products I should avoid when shaving my armpits?
Avoid products containing alcohol as they can dry out the skin and cause irritation. Instead, opt for moisturizing shaving products with natural ingredients.
Is it safe to shave my armpits if I have sensitive skin?
It is generally safe to shave your armpits, even if you have sensitive skin. Make sure you use mild products and shave gently to avoid irritation. The BushBuster 4.0 is specially designed with SafeShave™ technology, ideal for sensitive body parts. However, if you have serious skin problems, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist first.
Is it normal to experience itching after shaving my armpits?
Mild itching after shaving the armpits is normal and may be caused by skin irritation. Make sure you moisturize the skin well after shaving and avoid scratching to prevent further irritation. Read here what you can do about bumps, itching and ingrown hairs.
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