If you’re a cammer who has chosen to let your hair go au natural you’ve picked a great niche!
Lucky you, you don’t have to worry about the trials and tribulations of those of us who have committed ourselves to removing hair that’s naturally supposed to be there. Like the gluttons for punishment that we are, we grin and bear the pain of ingrown hair, painful rashes and knicks and cuts that come from wielding a razor just so we can show off some smooth turf.
Prior to 1915, women didn’t have to worry about shaving – having hairy legs, armpits, and a formidable bikini line never made anyone think twice – of course back then you were covering yourself up 24/7 so maybe we should blame fashion for our predicament. As reported on by an article in Vox – removing hair on the body was so unique in 1920 that it made the news when a woman cut her leg shaving. According to the piece, advertisers in Harper’s Bazar started targeting women to shave in 1915 when sleeveless dresses came into style:
“The Woman of Fashion says the underarm must be as smooth as the face.”
A whole cottage industry of hair removal was born, and it continued to grow.
Today it’s big business: whether you’re shaving, waxing, doing electrolysis, or the myriad of other ways to remove unwanted hair – female bodies must be as hairless as a baby’s (with the ironic twist that we also must have luxurious hair on our heads).
But it’s no use lamenting, one can either embrace the hair, or figure out a way to remove it in the least agonizing way. And for most, the best route is shaving, so read below for a few tips from some experts on how to make it as painless as possible:
1) Only shave in the shower or bath – this seems like a no-brainer but admit it (I think we’ve all done this) if you’ve ever been in a hurry, you probably did the deed when your skin was dry. Ouch! Your razor works best on skin that’s lubricated and soft.
2) Prep the area – make sure your skin is clean and use a good shaving cream. One that works well is Trader Joe’s Honey Mango Shave cream which often sells out so pick up two at a time if you have a store near you.
3) Find a good razor, and make sure it’s sharp – I know blades are expensive, but they get dull after only about four uses. So, dump that blade for a new one, it’ll give you a smoother, safer shave. As for the razor, find one that’s made for women, sure you can use a dude’s but often the straight handle makes it difficult for those hard-to-reach areas. Nix the disposable ones, not only are they bad for the environment but they dull faster (two shaves and you’re done).
4) Shave in the direction your hair grows – this prevents razor burn and ingrown hairs.
5) Follow up when you’re done with a lotion, oil, or gel. I find oils work the best – Handcraft Blends 100% Apricot Oil lasts a long time, works great, and makes your skin glow.
Main Photo credit: iStock.com/fizkes
Second Photo credit: iStock.com/VladimirFLoyd
Photo credit: iStock.com/AlinaKurianova
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Alyssa Collins hails from Minnesota, where snowy days were the perfect excuse to stay warm inside and write. Over the years, she turned that joy into a career and has authored numerous articles for various publications (under pen names). Email Alyssa via alyssa@ynot.com.
