Post-shave folliculitis is a common problem that causes inflammation of the hair follicles, resulting in red and often itchy bumps. To avoid this condition, it is essential to adopt a correct shaving routine and use the right products. In this article, we will explore the best tips for preventing folliculitis after shaving.

1: Preparation for Shaving

1.1. Skin Cleansing

Before shaving, make sure you clean your skin thoroughly. Use a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil and dead skin cells, preparing it for a smooth shave. Avoid harsh cleansers that can irritate your skin.

1.2. Light exfoliation

Exfoliating your skin before shaving helps remove dead skin cells and unclogs hair follicles. Use a gentle exfoliant two to three times a week to prevent ingrown hairs and folliculitis. Therefore, using a scrub suitable for your skin type every 3-4 days is an excellent routine.  

2: Shaving Techniques

2.1. Soften the hair

Shaving after a hot shower or applying a warm cloth to the area to be shaved softens the hair, making cutting easier and reducing the risk of irritation and folliculitis.

If it is not possible to carry out these practices, we recommend a prolonged massage with the shaving brush during assembly to hydrate the base of the hair to be shaved as much as possible.

2.2. Use a Pre-Shave Oil

A pre-shave oil creates a protective barrier between the blade and your skin, reducing friction. Abbate Y La Mantia Pre-Shave Oil is ideal thanks to its soothing and antibacterial properties. All this prevents the skin from having to defend itself from bacteria and therefore react in a way that creates such imperfections.

2.3. Apply a quality shaving cream

Use a rich, moisturizing shaving cream or soap to protect your skin while shaving. Abbate Y La Mantia's shaving products do not implement raw material products based on the economic needs required by the market, but choose based on criteria of effectiveness and well-being of the skin of those who try them. 

Traditionally, shaving soaps have always been thought of as non-cosmetic soaps (to the point that even bar soap was used), but the difference is demonstrated by the data that sees 93,7% of our customers repurchase after the first purchase.

2.4. Sharp and Clean Razor

A poorly sharpened and dirty razor can cause cuts and nicks, increasing the risk of infections and folliculitis. Replace blades regularly. However, if you use a free hand, sharpen it regularly and disinfect and sterilize the blade at regular intervals. 

2.5. Shave in the direction of hair growth

Shave in the direction of hair growth to reduce irritation. Avoid passing over the same area repeatedly and use slow, delicate movements.

3: Post-shave care

3.1. Rinse with Cold Water

After shaving, rinse your skin with cool water to close pores and reduce irritation. This helps prevent hair from becoming trapped in the follicles.

3.2. Apply a Soothing Aftershave Balm

A soothing and hydrating aftershave balm is essential for calming your skin after shaving. The Krokos alcohol-free aftershave balm by Abbate Y La Mantia soothes the skin and prevents irritation with a completely vegetal formula.

3.3. Continuous hydration

Keeping your skin hydrated is essential to avoid any blemishes. This doesn't mean moisturizing indiscriminately, but knowing the characteristics of your skin. Above all the level of fatness or dryness that each of us has genetically, as well as more or less accentuated over the seasons. Use a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer every day. Abbate Y La Mantia's Krokos Face Cream with a high concentration of saffron offers deep hydration without clogging pores. For this reason, we recommend applying it in very small doses and only if it is not sufficient to proceed with a second application.

4: Additional Tips

4.1. Avoid Irritating Products

Choose shaving and skin care products that are free of elements, not just chemical or industrial, to which your dermis reacts badly. There are skin types that react badly to even the most natural elements on the market. In fact, natural does not mean delicate. It is no coincidence that our body is allergic to principles found in nature. Paradoxically, the most allergic skin could derive greater enjoyment from high-level cosmetic products rather than other entirely natural ones.

4.2. Razor Hygiene

Clean the razor after each use to avoid the growth of bacteria. Disinfect the blades with alcohol and store them in a dry place. This will avoid the emergence of bacterial colonies, not visible to the naked eye, which when passed on the skin will cause problems that we want to avoid.

4.3. Avoid Shaving Too Often

If possible, avoid shaving too frequently. The skin needs time to recover and shaving too frequently can increase the risk of irritation and folliculitis. In fact, the skin itself will make us understand when it can be shaved again. There are some skin types that can be shaved several times a day and others only once a week. The sensation will be that of not feeling burning or experiencing discomfort when the face comes into contact with fingers or fabric.

4.4. Wear clothes that do not rub with the shaved parts

After shaving, wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction on your skin and allow your hair follicles to breathe. This helps prevent inflammation and irritation.

For this reason, for those who have problems with rubbing of the shirt collar, we recommend two alternatives:

shave in the evening before going to sleep; or

use shirts with a collar diameter one finger width wider than the skin.

Conclusion

Preventing folliculitis after shaving requires attention and the use of quality products. By following these tips and using the specific products of Abbate Y La Mantia, such as the shaving routines which are all based on saffron. you can enjoy a smooth and comfortable shave, keeping your skin healthy and free from irritation. With a correct shaving routine, folliculitis can become just a bad memory.