Shaving : Why This Practice Can Make the Skin Appear Younger

Images of prehistoric people depict men as beardless fellows, which gave way to the theory that shaving was already practiced several thousands of years ago. Although shaving was considered a sign of refinement in early civilizations, there came a time when growing a beard also became fashionable. Yet a deeper understanding of rhe proper shaving process will reveal its potential in making the skin look younger.

Still, even if a man grows a mustache or a beard, proper hygiene still requires some shaving, trimming or even plucking. The main purpose of which is to refresh the skin by unclogging the pores and removing the accumulation of dead skin cells.

While growing a beard to avoid shaving also became a common practice, early research studies claimed that the act of scraping the skin with a razor blade can actually make a man’s skin appear younger and more radiant.

Florida Dermatologist Explains Why Shaving with Razor can be Good for the Skin

In 2011, Dr. Kenneth Beer, a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Florida explained a research finding attesting to the beneficial effects of shaving with a razor. According to Dr. Beer, research studies show that by using low-grade friction, the debris collected comprise mostly of dead skin cells, while only a quarter comprises hair.

The Florida dermatologist elaborated further by saying that shaving with low-grade friction stimulates the production of collagen, which acts as effective skin lubricant. This supports the findings that shaving can reduce the tendency of the skin to develop fine lines and wrinkles. He linked such findings to the phenomena of men having fewer wrinkles than women.

Research Study Explains the Benefits of Wet Shaving

In 2007, the Journal of Materials Science published a research report explaining that wet shaving is the best method. Shaving after stepping out of a warm shower allows the residual heat to open the skin pores and loosen facial hair growths.

When shaving, the moistened beard will reduce the blade force applied to cut the hair, as opposed to cutting it dry. The application of less pressure on the skin denotes reduced pulling that tends to agitate hair follicles. The reduced agitation can also prevent the occurrence of in-grown hairs.

In-grown hairs are one of the most common form of skin irrirations caused by beard growth. It’s a condition in which the hair growth progresses by growing in the same follicle from which the strand sprung.

Readers looking for more information about the art of shaving, and about caring for beard growth can find additional information in some websites, readers can also find a compilation of reviews about different kinds of shaving tools and beard care kits to make shaving a nurturing and rejuvenating process of caring for the skin.