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Ways to Fix Skin Discolouration Caused By Shaving

By 4 Mins Read

Hair removal is a common practice that most people do to groom their intimate parts and even those that have a lot of hair. One of the most common ways of removing hair is by shaving. Many people remove their hair especially when they are on the armpits, legs, bikini area, and even in the face.

However, aside from being a tedious process, it can also result in skin irritation, pain, and discolouration. Many women opt to shave because they prefer to have their skin look smooth, clean, and hairless. Not all women are blessed with having flawless skin, hence it is a personal choice to shave to remove excess hair in the body.

Disposable razors are the most popular and inexpensive ways to remove hair. But there are other ways to do it and you will learn more as you read on.

If you are one of those women who have concerns about how to fix skin discolouration after shaving, then this might help you to take care of it.

Why does discolouration appear?

Shaving is one of the major factors why discolouration happens in your skin. Remember that the armpits and face are delicate and sensitive. When you shave regularly to remove hair, the constant scraping and rubbing of the blades on your skin can irritate thus darkening them. This can often produce rash which is characterised by redness, roughness, or itching.

It is also important to learn that if you regularly shave, you can also have razor bumps. Razor bumps are painful raised spots that appear after you shave. They are caused by shaved hairs that grow back when shaved. The tip of the hair curls on the surrounding skin, growing underneath instead of outward. Hence, it can be painful and can cause scars or dark patches on your skin. They usually appear in your armpits, legs, and face.

How can you prevent them?

If you are prone to having razor bumps, then it is essential to be meticulous with the tools you will use and how you shave. Shaving less frequently is a good way to prevent them. But I understand. Some people grow back their hair after a few days and that can be frustrating.

So, if you will shave, you may want to consider using an electric razor because it won’t cut the hair close to your hair too much. Take the time when shaving and do not rush. Use warm water to soften the hair.

Don’t pull the skin tight and always shave in the hair’s direction and not against it. Applying shaving creams, shaving gels, soaps, aloe vera, moisturisers or body oil also helps to avoid skin irritation and discolouration.

Here are other ways to take care of the discolouration:

  • Apply lemon juice: lemon has antibacterial properties that can act as a natural bleaching agent. Aside from lightening your skin, it will also help in exfoliating dead skin cells. Simply rub half a lemon on your armpits or dab a small amount of lemon juice on your face. Leave for about 15 minutes then rinse off. Do the process twice a day for best results.
  • Switch to hypoallergenic deodorants: deodorants can also cause skin discolouration on your armpits especially those that are heavily fragranced. Try to switch to other deodorants especially when you’ve noticed that your armpits are getting dark.
  • Cleanse and exfoliate your skin: regular gentle exfoliation and cleansing will help remove dead skin cells and keep your skin healthy. Gently apply exfoliating products to help get rid of the dark colour.
  • Use clean and sharp tools: when using a razor, ensure that they are fresh, sharp, and sterilised. Avoid using disposable razors for long because they may already be dull and can lead to irritation and may lead to more ingrown hair growth.

Other hair removal techniques

Aside from shaving, you may want to try out other techniques to help you get rid of excess hair.

  • Waxing can last for about 3-6 weeks while exfoliating your skin.
  • Depilatories are creams, lotions, or gels that remove hair by weakening hair structure thus dissolving the hair.
  • Threading helps in removing hair at the roots and lasts longer for up to 4 weeks.
  • Laser hair removal is another technique that can provide a long-term solution. However, it can be quite expensive and may need longer treatments depending on the amount of hair
  • Consider using IPLs or Intense Pulse Light devices to help get rid of excess hair
Latest posts by Nicola Brennan (see all)
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Nicola is always on the lookout for the best beauty tools and skincare products. She believes in "prevention is better than cure" so she is always trying to perfect her beauty routine to avoid premature aging. Fun fact about Nicola: She owns a lot of sunscreens as she carries a mini sunscreen in each of her handbags and backpacks.

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