Should Women Start Shaving Their Faces, Yay Or Nay?
Written by Mindy White
Photography by Photography by James Kicinski-McCoy
The latest beauty craze is all about shaving—and no, we’re not talking about your legs and lady bits. We mean shaving your face. This technique involves using a straight-edge razor on the skin to mechanically exfoliate. Now, before you start thinking we’ve all gone mad, know that this isn’t a new skincare routine. In Japan, removing facial hair has been popular for ages. Not to mention the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and even Cleopatra have been known for shaving their faces for a variety of reasons, and since they’re all beauty legends, we’re definitely intrigued.
So, why are women shaving their faces? Of course, some of us have bothersome facial hair and, naturally, shaving makes sense. But, many believe this approach has great anti-aging, clarifying, and overall skin-reviving benefits. Dermaplaning, the clinical term, is said to help with hyper-pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, mild-scarring, and it allegedly boosts cellular turnover. The method removes deep layers of dead skin cells carefully and efficiently, instead of just rubbing them around the face as you exfoliate. It is also supposed to smooth the skin, encourage new layer growth, and allow skincare products to penetrate deeper.
Here’s what you should know. While many women swear by the practice, some have had adverse reactions to facial shaving, such as razor burns, breakouts, rashes, and sensitivity. Not to mention, unless you want mild stubble, you will need to shave once a week (depending on your personal hair growth) to keep the blunt hairs away. Some also say the anti-aging benefits are bogus and that regular ol’ exfoliation with a scrub, tool, or cloth will do the trick.
So, what do you think? Would you shave your face, yay or nay? If you’re feeling a little curious, you can make an appointment with your dermatologist or esthetician, or you can save some cash and time by doing it yourself. There are special facial razors available or many women take notes from their men and steal their shavers. But note, for those with sensitive skin, this trend might not be for you. Just be sure to do a little homework before going at it and discontinue use if you have a negative reaction.
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