A woman shaving her thigh with a Venus razor while sitting on a bathroom counter with tiled walls in the background.
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Gillette Venus

Writer and expert07 Dec 2022

Whether shaving for the first time or simply looking for ways to better protect your skin, here are some shaving preparation tips.

Whether you shave or not is entirely down to you. All women grow body hair, some might grow lighter thinner hair, others may grow thicker or darker hair - but no matter your genetics, we all grow body hair.

Step 1

Moisturize your skin

When your skin is well-hydrated, your body hair will become thick with water and break away from the skin more easily, resulting in less chances of skin irritation. Soak the area you plan to shave for about three minutes via a warm shower or bath, or under running water.

A person shaving his leg with a razor, with soap and bubbles on a light background.
Step 2

Exfoliate before shaving, if needed

If you want a closer, longer-lasting shave, try exfoliating before you start shaving. Exfoliation helps to remove any surface-level, dead skin and helps your razor glide over your skin more easily.

It’s better to exfoliate your skin before shaving rather than after. Otherwise, you might risk causing additional irritation. Use a loofah or a gentle scrub in the shower for better results. Learn more about exfoliating before you shave.

Hand with pink nails applying brown scrub to skin, presenting beauty treatment for exfoliation and skin care.
Step 3

Use plenty of shaving gel to avoid irritation

After you’ve hydrated your skin, apply a thick, even amount of shaving gel over the area you plan to shave. Using shave gel properly will help prevent moisture loss and add an additional layer of protection to avoid any nicks, cuts and hair pulls while you shave, and thus cut down on itchy razor bumps and skin irritation post-shave — especially if you have more sensitive skin.

Using shave gel also shows you exactly where you’ve shaved with your razor already. This helps to avoid having to re-shave over any areas, thereby decreasing chances of skin irritation. Learn more about how shaving gel can help you avoid irritation and find out how to choose the shaving cream that’s right for you.

Woman shaving leg in bathroom
Step 4

Choose the right razor

Most razor blades will last between five and 10 shaves. And, whether using a disposable or reusable razor, you want to make sure your razor blade is sharp and clean. This will reduce the chance of feeling the blade pull on your body hair or feel rough while gliding across your skin. If your blade starts to do this, it’s time to replace it.

After shaving, be sure to rinse your razor completely, let it air dry and keep it in a dry place in your shower. Learn more about choosing the right razor for you.

Gillette Venus Smooth razor, blue
Step 5

Learn how to shave the right way

Your best chances of achieving your best shave will depend on what areas of your body you are shaving. Learn more about how to shave:

  • Legs: shave lightly from the ankles up

  • Underarms: shave in all directions your hair grows

  • Bikini Area: shave in the direction of the hair growth first; then you can go against the grain for a closer shave

Woman shaving her leg with a blue razor in the bathroom
Step 6

Apply Moisturizer

When you’re finished shaving, rinse, pat your skin dry and apply your favorite moisturizer. Post-shave moisturization will help keep your freshly shaven skin healthy and hydrated. What’s more, since soap and water can often cause dry skin, applying a post-shave moisturizer helps to protect your skin against moisture loss while shaving.

The woman applies moisturizer to her leg after shaving it

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