blog
Shaving is a part of most women’s beauty regimens, and it can certainly make your skin feel soft and smooth. Using proper techniques and precautions while shaving your legs, underarms, and bikini areas, however, is more important than some people may realize. The potential dangers of shaving go beyond the typical nicks and cuts.
Dangers of Shaving
To most of us, the typical nicks and small cuts associated with shaving are bothersome at most, but what we fail to realize is that they could lead to more serious issues. The main concern associated with shaving is folliculitis, which could lead to various other skin infections.
What Folliculitis Is
Folliculitis is a common skin infection that develops in the hair follicles when they are damaged. It usually looks like a sudden acne breakout, and each spot may have a red ring around it, which is a sign of the infection. It is commonly known as razor burn/razor bumps, hot tub rash, and barber’s itch.
Common causes of folliculitis include:
A serious concern is cellulitis, which is when bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus get into the skin. Individuals with cellulitis may experience fevers and require urgent medical care due to the infection. It is especially dangerous for individuals who have uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, liver disease, and poor circulation.
Do's and Don'ts of Shaving
You may wish to ditch the razor and talk with one of our clinicians about laser hair removal, which is a service our certified aestheticians perform daily.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to avoid the cuts, nicks, and irritations associated with shaving. Following simple shaving tips can help in most cases.
Do …
Don’t …
If you believe you have folliculitis or other skin infection, it can be helpful to make an appointment to see one of our dermatologists. You don’t have to stop shaving, but using topical solutions and following a dermatologist’s proper shaving tips can help you.
On the other hand, you may wish to ditch the razor and talk with one of our clinicians at Associated Dermatologists about laser hair removal, which is a service our certified aestheticians perform daily. Contact us if you want to know more about this option.