How to Use Shaving Cream

Co-authored by Juan Sabino and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 7, 2022 References

No matter where you want to get rid of unwanted hair, shaving cream and a razor are the only tools you’ll need. Using shaving cream can seem like a chore, but it actually helps you get a closer shave and reduces irritation. Go slowly when you first start out to avoid any nicks or razor burns, and don’t be afraid to use a mirror in hard-to-see places.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Application

1
Wet your skin with warm water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.} Step into the shower or grab a wet washcloth, then soak the part of your body that you’re going to shave for about 5 minutes. This will help to open up your pores and soothe your skin so that you get a smoother, cleaner shave.^{[2]
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- If you’re shaving your face, it’s probably easier to use a washcloth than to stand in the shower.
2
Lather the shaving cream in your hands for the easiest application.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.} Squirt out an almond-sized dab of shaving cream in your hands, then rub your palms together. Do this for about 5 seconds until the shaving cream looks smooth and frothy.^{[4]
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- If you have sensitive skin, look for a shaving cream that says “soothing” or “for sensitive skin.”
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3
Use a shaving brush and a bowl to make the shaving cream smoother. If you’re shaving your face and you’d like a smoother application, squirt your shaving cream into a shaving bowl, then use the shaving brush to swirl it around. Keep doing this for about 1 minute until the shaving cream looks white and frothy.^{[5]
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- You really only need to use a shaving bowl and brush if you’re shaving your face. If you’re working on other parts of your body, don’t worry about it.
4
Rub the shaving cream onto the area of your body.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.} Taking your foamy shaving cream, apply a thick layer all over the area you’d like to shave. If you’re shaving your legs, lather up one leg at a time so you don’t have to worry about accidentally rinsing off any shaving cream.^{[7]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You shouldn’t be able to see your skin at all under the layer of shaving cream.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

How to Shave

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Shave your face in the direction your hair grows. Use short strokes with your razor, pulling it across your face with the grain of your hair.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.} This helps reduce irritation and razor burn once you’re finished.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- A single-blade razor will give you the closest shave and the least irritation.
- Stretch the skin tight to get the closest shave. Lower your jaw to make the skin on your cheeks taut and tilt your head up when you start shaving your neck.
2
Move your razor around to get all your underarm hair. Armpit hairs tend to grow in all different directions, so you might have to turn your razor a few times to get a close shave. Try going sideways and diagonally until you feel a smooth, flat surface underneath your arms.^{[10]
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- Everybody’s armpit hair grows a little differently, so you might have to try a few different directions until you find what’s right for you.
3
Go against the direction your hair grows on your legs. Grab your razor and press it lightly over your skin. Drag the razor up toward you, going in the opposite direction that your hair grows. Pass over each section multiple times to give your legs a silky smooth finish.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Make sure you’re using a fresh razor that hasn’t been used too many times. Using a dull razor can cut your legs or give you a rash, and no one wants to deal with that.
- If you get ingrown hairs often, try shaving in the direction that your hair grows instead.^{[12]
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4
Shave with the grain of your hair in short strokes on your pubic area. If you need to, pull back any loose skin with your free hand. Rinse the razor off periodically so you can see what you’re doing, and go super slow around sensitive areas so you don’t accidentally cut yourself.^{[13]
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- Use a hand mirror to look at areas that may be difficult to see otherwise.
- If you do accidentally cut yourself on your pubic area, it’s not the end of the world. Rinse off the shaving cream, then hold toilet paper against the cut until it stops bleeding.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Aftercare

1
Rinse the area with water to get rid of all the shaving cream.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.} You can grab a wet washcloth or stand under the shower for this part. Make sure you really rinse off all the shaving cream to avoid any itchiness when it dries.^{[15]
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- If your skin feels irritated, use cold water to help soothe your pores.
2
Pat your skin dry with a towel. Your skin might be feeling a little more sensitive than usual, so go slow with your movements. Make sure your skin is totally dry before you get dressed for the day.^{[16]
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- Microfiber towels are usually less scratchy than cotton ones, and they can help if your skin is feeling irritated.
3
Apply baby oil or a moisturizer to keep your skin soft. If you shaved your body, you can add a bit of fragrance-free moisturizer to soothe your skin. Lotions with aloe vera can help to reduce razor burn, especially in sensitive areas.^{[17]
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- Stay away from lotions or creams that have fragrance in them. The harsh chemicals can dry out your skin or sting on small cuts.
4
Put on aftershave if you shaved your face. Aftershave is optional, but it can help to close your pores and prevent irritation. Splash a few drops of aftershave onto your hands, then pat it onto your face all over the area you just shaved.^{[18]
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- If you have sensitive skin, aftershave may sting or burn a little.
- Aftershave usually has a little bit of fragrance in it. If you aren’t a fan of the cologne smell, go for a natural option, like witch hazel.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you shave your neck without getting razor bumps?

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness.

Juan Sabino

Professional Barber

Expert Answer

Always shave with the grain and make sure your blade is completely germ free before it touches your skin, as this can avoid bumps and other wounds. Just run it under some hot water and disinfect it with alcohol.
Question

Can you exfoliate and shave on the same day?

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness.

Juan Sabino

Professional Barber

Expert Answer

Sure you can! Try mixing olive oil or coconut oil with brown sugar and using it as a pre-face wash to get rid of the dead skin cells before shaving!
Question

How do you shave properly?

Marlon Rivas
Facial Hair Specialist
Marlon Rivas is a Barber and Owner of MGX Professional Men's Grooming, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also the founder of Busystyle.com, a service that provides online scheduling services to businesses in the barbering and beauty industry. Marlon has over 15 years of experience in managing and providing barber services.

Marlon Rivas

Facial Hair Specialist

Expert Answer

Always prepare your skin before you shave. Take a hot shower or lay a hot towel against your skin to soften the hair and open your pores, then apply your shaving cream.

Warnings

Work slowly when you’re shaving to avoid cutting yourself. Be especially careful around sensitive areas of your body.

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