Shaving arm hair is a personal choice driven largely by aesthetic preferences and does not confer any health advantages. Some individuals choose shaving due to the sleek and hairless appearance it gives; for others it may help reduce sweating and related odor. Either way, shaving does not change hair growth characteristics such as thickness, color, coarseness, or speed of growth.
When shaving arms, it’s essential to follow proper shaving techniques in order to minimize side effects such as ingrown hairs, razor burn, nicks, cuts and skin irritation. Some techniques include:
Exfoliating Your Skin: Exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells, leading to smoother shaving experiences and less risk of razor burn.
Before Shaving: Pre-wetting the skin before shaving helps soften hairs for easier cutting.
Utilizing a Sharp Blade: Using an ineffective or dull blade increases your risk of cuts and nicks.
Apply Lubrication: Shaving cream or gel reduces friction, decreasing the chance of skin irritation.
Shaving in the Right Direction: Shaving against the direction of hair growth can significantly lower the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.
Beyond shaving, there are other hair removal methods such as waxing, laser hair removal, electrolysis threading epilators sugaring or depilatory creams to consider for permanent hair removal. Each option offers its own advantages and disadvantages depending on budget, pain threshold and desired permanency of results.
6 Things that could happen if you shave your arms
Shaving is ultimately a personal choice made for aesthetic reasons and does not provide any health advantages; however, shaving your arms could result in several possible side effects:
Reduce Sweating and Odor: One potential result of shaving your arms may be reduced sweating and associated body odor.
Feel of Stubble: Once the newly-shaved hair begins to regrow, you may experience an unwelcomed stubby sensation. While it’s untrue that shaving causes thicker regrowth of hair, the blunt ends created from shaving can contribute to thicker-feeling stubble that may seem denser than usual.
Razor Burns and Ingrown Hairs: Shaving can lead to several skin-related issues, such as razor burns, nicks, cuts, skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
Razor Shaving May Increase Self-Esteem: If you prefer the look of hairless arms, shaving could potentially boost your self-esteem and contribute positively to mental wellbeing.
Risk of Cuts and Scratches: Shaving arms poses the potential risk of cuts or scratches, especially around delicate areas like elbows.
Skin Dryness: Inevitably after shaving can leave skin feeling parched so it is wise to moisturize afterwards for best results.
Sources:
https://www.menshealth.com/style/a19547599/why-men-should-shave-armpits/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-shave-armpits
