1. Shaving Dry

Shaving dry is one of the biggest shaving mistakes you can make. The only time you should ever shave dry is if you use an electric razor. Otherwise, this is one of the shaving mistakes that you will pay for. Always take time to shave with water. It will greatly reduce the chances of razor burn and irritation. It can also save you from a lot of pain from a bad shave.

2. Not Using Shaving Gel or Cream

You need to also use shaving gel or shaving cream. These products are a wonderful aid in shaving. They make the surface of your skin so much smoother to work with so that your shave is not harsh or rough. Some women claim they can get by with a bar of soap but I prefer shaving gel or cream. I have also heard that hair conditioner works well but I have never personally tried this. I think anything would be better than using nothing, though.

3. Skipping Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an important part of skin care. But it has an important part in shaving, too. Exfoliation helps to get rid of dry, flaky skin so that you have a better surface to work with. You can exfoliate in several different ways. You can use an exfoliating product such as a sugar scrub or a loofah to exfoliate before you shave.

4. Shaving with No Certain Pattern

If you shave in many different directions, you can expect to have problems. Razor bumps, irritation and even ingrown hairs will probably be a problem for you. It is best to shave in one direction only. Decide which way is most comfortable to you and stick with it. I have always shaved my legs in an upward pattern.

5. Not Moisturizing Afterward

Another mistake you could be making is not moisturizing after you shave. Using lotion, body butter or another moisturizing product can help to make your skin feel smoother and soothe any irritation that may have occurred through shaving. Ideally, you should use one of these products every day but especially after you shave. Regular use of a moisturizing product will help you with preventing shaving mistakes because your skin will always be in better condition than if you didn’t moisturize. It does take extra time but once you get used to following this step in your daily hygiene routine, you will really miss it when you don’t do it.

6. Not Replacing Your Razor Often Enough

A dull razor is actually more likely to cut you than a new, sharper razor. A lot of us make the mistake of using a dull razor not because we don’t know any better, but because we forget to change our razor. It is just something that slips our mind. To help you keep from making this mistake, choose something to remind you of when to change it. Maybe it can be your payday or a certain day of the week that you change razors. How often you need to change razors will vary upon how often you shave.

7. Being in a Hurry

Being in a hurry can definitely cause more shaving mistakes. You are going to be more likely to cut yourself when you are in a hurry. You are also more likely to miss some spots which means you will not have the smooth shave you want. It is better to take an extra couple of minutes to shave the way you need to than deal with those mistakes. It can save you pain and aggravation.

These are 7 tips to help you avoid shaving mistakes. What tips do you follow? Share your wisdom with us!