THE ART OF SHAVING IS CRUCIAL TO THE SKIN

“Many years ago , I worked as a barber in the US navy for 5 years and been barber and a beauty therapist. I have shaved thousands of men and women (literally). “

“I have often been asked by thousands of people about shaving.  I consider shaving to be a very important part of our every day grooming. ”

Physiologically, one has to know first of all, the condition of the skin, in order to make the appropriate decision as to the type of shaving procedure he or she should follow.  For instance, when one uses a razor, if the hair is too thick, or the skin is too tough, even when lubricated or softened, this can or may create a dullness of the blade, which may cause pulling and subsequently irritation of the skin.  Now the same thing could happen, on the other hand, with thin hair.  If the hair is thin, the sharp blade or electrical shaver will quickly remove the hair and find its way scraping on the surface (the corneum).

 

The use of inappropriate strength depilatories can also cause serious damage to the corneum.  If stroking is repeated, depending on the condition of the skin, irritation can occur.  The point I am trying to make, is that it is very important to know, not only your skin type, but its condition.  Then one can make the appropriate selection of shaving methods.

Shaving is an art!  

Many years ago, men took pride in shaving and grooming themselves.

 

 

Today, it is by far different.  I am speaking about almost every nationality.  They have all lost the great love for the shaving art.  It is all too easy to run to a store (drug store, etc) to get highly synthetic unnatural shaving gels and foams, electrical devices and depilatories to shave with.  They are quicker and everyone seems quite busy, so that very quickly, with the swiftness of the blade or the fast action of the chemicalized shaving powders, they fall for it and so there goes the art of shaving.

With this negative attitude and uncaring treatment and lack of love and respect for the skin, (which is the largest organ of the body and also one of the most important), one could end up causing irritation and sometimes damage to the corneum of the skin.

Not only is the damage done to the skin, but it can also affect the internal organs and glands in a number of ways.

The excessive removal of corneum, (skin cells) live or dead can cause external intrusion (by not only removal of the dead cells, but by interfering with the depth of corneum).  One may also disrupt the acid mantle (the PH of the skin).  When the PH of the skin is out of balance, the skin’s defenses become weak.

I am not suggesting that exfoliation ( removal of dead skin cells), is not important, but as mentioned, excessive scraping on the skin with sharp or dull blades, any kind of machinery, depilatories foam, gel, etc., can, and in most cases, not only causes irritation but also over- expose the skin to bacterial invasion.

Allow me an analogy; if one removes the bark from a tree, even the first couple of layers of the outermost part of the bark, the tree will suffer.  It has to do with conditioning, physiologically and mentally.  The types of food we eat and how much we eat, what we drink, how much we drink, the type of exercise, the amount and daily exercise we get, is what will determine how durable and resilient our skin will become.  One must always be sure not to overdo however, because excessive eating can over-proteinize and over-mineralize the body, and may also cause the over consumption of carbohydrates (complex carbohydrates or simple (yin) type carbohydrates).

Externally, to protect the skin after shaving, one must always cleanse the skin with the appropriate PH balance cleanser (which is hard to find).  When selecting a cleanser, I would highly recommend that one stays away from petroleum-base products.

One should always follow up with the appropriate skin tonic or toner, preferably non-alcoholic.  Third, and most important, is the appropriate moisturizer.  If the skin is oily, one should be sure not to use an oil-base.   Sesame oil is acceptable however, in any skin preparation for oily skin, as long as moisture is added for balance, this blend will give protection against bacterial invasion and also heal any irritation.

This should be done twice a day, (morning and night), or as often as you bathe. One should also limit his/her shower to no more than one or two light showers a day and allow moisture to remain on the skin and then apply the appropriate skin protection.

If the person is black with fair complexion, they should structure their diet program to more complex carbohydrates; green, leafy vegetables, beans and peas, mixed with a slice or two of Kombu (cut in one inch slices), occasional nuts and seeds, mixed fruits (preferably in the morning, not at night).  If this person’s condition is balanced by eating these foods in the appropriate percentage and quantity, then they will have very little fear, if any that the skin will become irritated or unprotected after shaving or bathing, because the skin will continue to make its appropriate adjustments.

 

If the person is Caucasian or Asian, and the skin is fair (pale) and ill-looking, then one needs to follow a diet with a high percentage of whole grains, fresh, green, leafy mixed vegetables, mixed beans and peas, with Kombu, Hijiki, Arame or Wakame, occasional small amounts of nuts and seeds, and if meat is desired, the percentage must be very small.  Topically, one must be sure to use the appropriate sun block.

Remember, shaving in any form will disrupt the acid mantle by removal of sebum (oil) and also removal of sweat, which is most valuable to its most complimentary partner (oil).  This blend of oil and moisture, as previously mentioned, is what will form the acid mantle (PH) for protection, lubrication and suppleness of the skin.

As you see, yes, shaving is an art.  It is much more than just the simple removal of hair.  I can go on and on, but I will save it for my next book, which will be out about Corrective Shaving, with full illustrations of the correct and incorrect ways of shaving, plus the pros and cons of shaving.

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