Is a face razor safe? Bougeoir asks dermatologists to settle the debate

Tweezerman Facial Razor

Social media is obsessed with a face razor—but is it worth it?

Ask any millennial, who’s grown under the close scrutiny of her mother and she’ll tell you that shaving the body was an act of sacrilege. Shaving the face? Unthinkable. Hair removal equalled waxing and threading that came under the purview of the trusted, local parlour. The perils of shaving included coarser hair, quicker hair growth and rough skin. Cut to 2023 and TikTok and Instagram are rife with tutorials of Gen Z casually using a face razor. With so much confusion around the practice, we decided to get to the bottom of it all.

Myth vs fact
First up, it’s time to address the biggest question—does shaving actually make hair thicker and grow faster? The short answer is no. The long answer is this: “This myth does not have any scientific basis. During shaving, the hair is cut from the skin’s surface, whereas hair regrows from the root deep beneath the skin tissue,” explains Dr Madhuri Agarwal, dermatologist. She adds that hair growth is influenced only by hormones; the only reason it appears to grow thicker is because it’s cut from the surface and grows back in a couple of days. Dr Jaishree Sharad, dermatologist and author adds: “Hair growth is determined by factors such as genetics, hormones, nutrition, and overall health. Shaving does not alter these factors nor stimulate hair growth.”

How safe is face shaving?
The most obvious concerns with shaving are nicks and cuts but Dr Agarwal and Dr Sharad also point out issues like razor burns, follicle infections and ingrowth. According to Dr Akber Aimer, a dermatologist, one also needs to watch out for two other conditions. “Firstly, if you have very sensitive skin, shaving could aggravate some of that sensitivity. Secondly, if you have active acne, shaving could lead to the spreading of the acne bacteria.” This is more so in the case of dry shaving, explains Dr Agarwal as repeatedly scraping dry skin with a razor can lead to inflammation.

The correct technique
The right technique, she continues involves soaking the skin in warm water for a few minutes or taking a shower to soften the skin. “Then, apply a cleanser or shaving foam and do a wet shave. Always shave in the direction of the hair to prevent ingrowth. Shave with gentle strokes and don’t shave the same area more than twice,” she cautions.

It’s a given that you should be gentle during the process—rushing could lead to nicks and cuts.

Dr Sharad recommends using a new blade every time. “Using an old or blunt blade can cause razor bumps and ingrown hair. Disposable razors are preferred. Also, use a generous amount of shaving cream to lubricate the area. Shave in the direction of the hair, holding the razor at a 45-degree angle.”