A Shaving How-to

article by ^cat^ and an author who prefers not to be named

Believe me when I tell you've I've given serious consideration to this reply and the consequence of blasting one of my more intimate routines across the net. Because it took a year of unsightly, uncomfortable rashes and ingrown hair before someone 'shared' the process with me... I felt compelled to do my 'pass it along' part. I had lots of problems shaving clean without a rash or those red ugly ingrown hair bumps that seem to raise up and infect themselves the day before a public play party. This was passed along to me by a veteran of 15 years. It worked for me!

1. Don't use a woman's razor, use a man's. Women's shaving cream for sensitive skin with aloe.

^cat^: I now use a woman's razor, the Silk Effects that was mentioned by someone else, and have been for over a year. I also use either the shave cream with aloe or with lanolin. Ladies, go Unscented, whenever possible. Sometimes the skin reaction is a rash due to the chemical fragrances added. Better, yet, use an ALL NATURAL shampoo. Yep, shampoo. Use the botanical ones. You have to be sure to keep it wet and it foams then dies but works better than any shaving cream I've ever tried.

2. Don't shave in the shower, instead, after a bath. Bathing and soaking in hot water loosens and softens, opens pores. The shave will be cleaner and the skin more resiliently able to handle it. (That's why the old barbers used to put hot towels on the men's faces)

^cat^: If you don't have time for a hot shower or soaking bath, soak a hand towel with hot water (not enough to scald, though, because you don't want a heat burn there before you shave!) and lay it over the area. You can read a book, put on make up, whatever, while sitting. I usually do this twice. (it feels good, too!)

3. Use a Loofah or one of those trendy little nylon scrubbies all over your pubic hair area. The Loofah/scrubbie loosens up the hair and keeps the ingrown hairs in check. It's a little ruff to get used to at first, but it will eliminated the ingrown hair problem and give a smoother cleaner shave.

^cat^: It also helps "pull up* any partial ingrown hairs you may already have and is good for the skin. This is a very important step. If it irritates the skin, do this when you're NOT going to shave. Let your skin get used to being rubbed, trust me it will!

4. Get out of the bath and shave standing on a towel beside the sink. Place a mirror on the counter to get a closer look see. (Anyone who can shave themselves standing upright in a shower with no mirror gets my reverent awe)

^cat^: I never use a mirror, can't seem to coordinate the reversal thing. I found that I shave by touch and so quit putting my neck and back out trying to watch what my hands were doing! I dislike shaving in the shower because it wastes water and the curtain gets in the way of my contortions. I also alternate putting one foot up either on the toilet lid or the sink. Sometimes I squat (like a frog, not an attractive mental or actual picture). By stretching the skin with different positions, you learn your growth direction AND some hairs stand up more in different positions.

5. Shave twice. Lots of shaving cream. Lots.

^cat^: I've noticed that men who shave me tend to let this step slide. Maybe their face can handle it but my privates can't! The other thing to remember is to rinse that blade OFTEN, like every 3-4 strokes. Hair and whatever you're using as a cream clog up the razor or coat the blade. Hell, even skin cells get on it. You want that blade smooth or you're increasing the risk of the nicks and scrapes that cause a rash. Also, shave S L O W L Y. Resist the urge to move fast, you tend to defeat the purpose of a double edged blade when you do! It also helps to use your free hand right in front of the razor, brushing against the "grain" and raising hairs.

6. To prevent the rash- baby oil, baby oil, baby oil. Twice to three times a day. Aloe gel at bedtime.

^cat^: If, like me, you dislike baby oil, you can try a vitamin E with aloe cream. For those in the States, Wal-Mart carries a 4oz jar called Fruit of the Earth that is great. A thin coat of triple antibiotic (Neosporin type) after rinsing VERY well will also help. Apply this carefully as it has a surface numbing agent in it. If you DO end up with a rash after carefully taking these steps, there's a US product called Dermoplast that I swear by. It, too, has a numbing agent but also moisturizers and aloe. It's safe for mucous membrane areas (i.e. genitals), something I know because it was used on me there after having my first and only baby years ago (in conjunction with a heat lamp).

Now, if you use something to numb, be careful to keep it off your clit (unless you have a devious dominant!). For those with a LOT of nerve (and a top with a sense of humor) you could try spraying some of this on HIS genitalia... *ahem*

Last but not least (this really IS important) keep the newly shaved area open to air for as long as you can. Sweat will aggravate an existing rash and could give you one if the area is tender. Lying on a bed with your legs spread is a VERY good position for this. If there's any guys reading this far, I'm sure you can think of other things to do to your lady in such a position!

Warning: saliva and sperm can also irritate (or infect) freshly shaven skin, as can your own juices.

Now, after all that, I've a few more things to add. I very seldom shave the mons area with a blade, anymore. I use an electric (and not one of those rotary men's either!) called Silhouette by Norelco. I shave from lower belly to the top of the slit, plus the "bikini line" with this, then use the Silk Effects razor for the rest. I found that most of my ingrown hairs and incidents of rash were reduced. No, this doesn't get as smooth as a bladed razor but it's pretty damned close and works well for a quick touch up. I use a non-allergenic powder (face powder works better than corn starch or flour which can clump and I'm allergic to talc - baby powder) over my skin before using the electric. I just have to remember to tap it lightly on the sink every now and then to shake off the powder and hair.

That said, I still get the occasional ingrown hair. These I tweeze out. Tweezing is less painful if you hold the skin taut before you pull, too.

There you have it... good luck!

^cat^: Additional info from Screamer: There is now a Magic Shave Powder for sensitive skin - and it's GREAT. I leave it on for 7 minutes, then jump in the shower - comes right off with no irritation. No longer than 7 minutes, ladies !!

^cat^: Look for this in the area of a store or pharmacy where shaving products for black people are sold. (and pardon my lack of political correctness)

This article is from D/s Perspectives at http://www.prrcat.com which was down the last time I checked. You can contact the author at cat@prrcat.com .