Tend Skin Blogs

Razor burns on your face can result in an unpleasant experience and an even bigger inconvenience as you search for ways to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation that go hand-in-hand with razor burn. The following are some suggestions you can use to put your best face forward and eliminate razor burn for good!

Preventing Razor Burns on Your Face

Razor burn is a skin irritation that occurs immediately after the face has been shaven.  It often comes with an itching, burning, or tingling sensation followed up by bumps or a red rash on the affected area of skin. Razor burn can occur for a number of different reasons but the most obvious reasons are associated with bad shaving habits. The following are a few simple steps you can take to eliminate razor burns on your face forever:

1.       Properly Moisturize the Skin Prior to Shaving

One of the top contributors to razor burn is dry shaving. It is important to properly hydrate the skin and the hairs prior to shaving your face. Hard soaps that do not have the necessary moisturizing properties should be avoided. Ideally, you should moisturize your skin daily and then shave with warm water. And don’t forget a silicone-based shave gel, which helps the razor glide along the skin.

2.    Gentle Shaving Strokes

Sometimes you may be in a hurry and you may rush through the shaving process. In your haste, you may even press down too hard on your skin or pass the razor too many times when you don’t receive the results you were expecting on the first few strokes. These habits can easily cause razor burn.

To prevent the likelihood of razor burn, take your time while shaving and use light, gentle strokes to prevent irritation. Remember, this razor is scraping against the outer layer of your skin and too much pressure can result in not only razor burn but unintentional cuts as well.

3.       Replace Old Razors.  

Razor burn can also be caused by old, dull razor blades. Shaving with a dull razor means you will shave the skin a little harder, which can lead to irritation. It is very important to replace dull razors often for the best results. A new blade can help capture the maximum amount of hairs per stroke and it will also be more gentle on your skin.

If you have been shaving all your life, you may have just accepted razor burn on your face as inevitable. The good news is that you do not have to live with razor burn forever. With the right approaches to shaving and facial care, razor burn can quickly become a problem of the past. Follow these simple steps to prevent razor burns on your face and enjoy the comfort of clean, freshly shaven skin without the irritation.

Due to embarrassing razor bumps, many women refrain from wearing shorts or dresses and men avoid regularly shaving their faces. While there are many solutions that may assuage the issue, why not start at the actual root of the problem—re-evaluating the way you shave? By working with your skin and following hair removal best practices, razor bumps can quickly become a thing of the past.

Follow these tips and the likelihood of experiencing unsightly razor bumps will decrease dramatically.

How to Prevent Razor Bumps

First, start by examining your shaving habits. While most women shave in the shower and men tend to shave over the sink with soap and water or some other product, there are a few more steps that can be taken to ensure a razor bump-free shaving experience:

1.      Warm water.

Prepare your skin for shaving with warm water. A dry shave, even for just a quick trim of the beard, can create more problems than it solves. Warm water will ensure the pores will be open and less likely to be irritated by the razor blades.

2.      Exfoliate.

One of the easiest ways to avoid razor bumps is to exfoliate before shaving. Using a scrub to rub off dead skin cells will create a smoother surface for the razor to glide over. But be careful to exfoliate gently, as too much rubbing could just lead to more irritation.

3.      Use the proper equipment.

Razors, and razor blades, exist in abundance. Even the most generic equipment exists with three, four, even five blade options. Choose the razor with a higher blade count, as it will lend itself to a smoother shave. A razor with a pivoting head will make areas such as knees and necks much easier to navigate. But most importantly, replace the blades often! The metal quickly loses its sharpness and can cause irritation if used frequently, leading to unsightly razor bumps.

4.      Use the proper techniques.

Though everyone has their own way of moving the razor, there are a few universal tips to follow that will make your routine much simpler. For example, avoid shaving over existing bumps, as it could cause additional irritation. Secondly, shave at most every other day, as shaving more often will only increase irritation. Finally, take your time. Scraping the skin in a rushed manner will only create more of the problems you are trying to avoid.

5.      Consider your pores.

As you finish shaving, rinse the skin in cold water. This will shock the pores and cause them to tighten, rather than leaving them open and susceptible to inflammation. It will also prevent dead skin cells or shorn hair follicles from making their way back into the pores and causing further irritation. Then, pat the skin dry. Never rub a freshly shaven area. A vigorous rub will only damage skin and make razor bumps more likely to appear.

6.      Moisturize.

Once out of the shower or after rinsing at the sink, moisturize your skin. Avoid products with a strong scent, as the fragrance could easily irritate the skin. Consider investing in a product with urea or sweet white lupin that will leave the skin feeling naturally soft.

Invest in a Specialty Product

For even the most conscientious shavers, following these six easy steps may not be enough to completely reduce skin irritations like razor bumps. If you still have razor bumps, it may become necessary to consider investing in a specialty product which can help to reduce the appearance of razor bumps.

By following these steps any redness and bumps on the shaved skin should be dramatically reduced. Incorporate these tips into your skincare routine, and you will no longer be afraid to bare your smooth skin!

No one likes the sight or feeling of an inflamed red welt. Unfortunately, when hair follicles curl and grow back into your skin after shaving, annoying red bumps can be the frustrating result.

And since it’s hard not to pick at irritated skin, your best option is to prevent the problem in the first place. Read on to find the secret of getting rid of ingrown hairs forever!

How to Eliminate Ingrown Hairs

Not everyone likes the idea of laser hair removal or waxing. These methods of hair elimination can be expensive, painful, or simply just not practical.

But just because you choose to shave doesn’t mean you’re doomed to deal with ingrown hairs forever. With a little thoughtful preparation, you can avoid ingrown hairs altogether.

First, you absolutely must toss out any dull or nearly dull razors that could cause chafing and, by extension, ingrown hairs. In fact, throw them away right now. This article will still be here when you get back.

Are all the dull razors in your bathroom gone? Good. Now it’s time for the most important step: exfoliation!

Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!

Before you shave, you should always exfoliate the skin you plan to shave first. Think of exfoliation as giving your skin a rejuvenating scrub down.

Exfoliation removes old, flaky skin that gets in the way of a close shave. After you exfoliate, the dead skin cells that can be trapped in your pores are much less likely to be present when you shave. Exfoliation also brings hair follicles to the surface of the skin making them easier to remove.

There’s a variety of effective methods for exfoliation. Choose one that works best for you or mix and match. You can try a salt, sugar, or oatmeal based body scrub, or you can combine regular soap with an exfoliating glove. One of the most effective effective methods can actually be dry brushing.

Scrub your skin with a gentle but firm up-and-down motion with your chosen exfoliation method, and be sure to use pressure when scrubbing. This will help remove the dead skin more effectively.

Monitor your skin as you scrub and afterward. If it becomes red or irritated, you’ll want to switch to a less abrasive exfoliating method.

After you finish exfoliating, rinse your legs with water to remove any remaining residue.

A Close Shave

Once you have finished your exfoliating routine, it’s time to shave. Pick a great silicone-based shave gel that has great moisturizing qualities. Buying silicone-based instead of soap-based is key.

If you’re using a fresh blade and the right shave gel, it doesn’t matter if you shave with or against the grain. This applies equally to legs, arms – anywhere you shave. Just remember, no dull razors!

Dermatologists agree that the best way to avoid ingrown hairs is to simply shave less. Identify the optimum time between shaves that still keeps you looking, and feeling, your best.

So remember, follow these simple steps when shaving your legs to say goodbye to ingrown hairs!

Medicine isn’t just the little bottles of pills you get at the pharmacy. You can find medicines all over the natural world, and some of them have probably made their way into your kitchen. In fact, your kitchen is already full of natural methods for healing and revitalization if you know where to look. The following natural medicines can be used for everything from menstrual cramps and nausea to acne and constipation.

Basil

Well known as a prominent ingredient in pesto, basil can also help unclog pores, fight bacteria, and cleanse the skin. Mashing basil into a thick paste and applying it to your skin can prevent blackheads and remove warts. It’s also been shown to lessen irritation caused by snake and insect bites. Consuming basil orally can settle the stomach, stimulate appetite, and combat everything from intestinal gas to head colds and worm infections.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Consuming apple cider vinegar is known as a highly effective treatment for acid reflux and sore throats. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as foot soak to get rid of toenail fungus. You can even rinse your hair with it to add shine and use it as a facial toner to fight acne.

Cucumber

This one’s a classic. Everyone’s seen people wear cucumbers on their eyes to reduce puffiness. But few know the cucumber can soothe and hydrate the skin more generally. It’s one of the most natural anti-aging tools in the world. Splashing cucumber juice on your face and neck can do wonders. Or for a more intensive treatment, try making a cucumber puree and applying it to any part of your skin that needs rejuvenation. Be sure to leave it on for at least 30 minutes before you rinse off.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is the MVP of natural medicines commonly found in the kitchen. It’s medicinal uses are practically endless. It’s an excellent moisturizer and healing ointment that penetrates the skin without drying it out. On top of that, it can be used as a hair conditioner, a lip balm, a makeup remover, dandruff reducer and exfoliating body scrub. Coconut oil also combats fungal infections, cold sores, rashes, and constipation.

Mint

A few mint leaves can go a long way. Whether they’re submerged in water, brewed in a tea or sprinkled over a salad, mint leaves can ease menstrual cramps, boost digestion, and improve immune system function. You can also use mint as scalp treatment, hair rinse, or skin toner. Here’s how: boil mint leaves in water until the water reduces by half, then cool the water and apply. You can aid hair growth, lighten scars and blemishes, and fight acne with this method.

Ginger

Ginger is a powerful medicine employed more readily outside the Western tradition. Use it to remedy inflammation, bloating, nausea, indigestion, and menstrual cramps. Sliced ginger in water or a smoothie can go along way. You can also make tea or even use it in cooking to achieve similar results.

Turmeric

Turmeric is increasingly being recognized as something of a wonder spice. An ingredient in curry, oral consumption of Turmeric can help fight throat infections, reduce the risk of stroke, and slow down the aging process. When mixed with sandalwood powder and a little water, it can reduce the appearance of acne when applied to the face. It can also even out skin tone and even give skin a glowing appearance when used as a body scrub.

Oats

Humble oats have more to offer than their traditional role as a low calorie, constipation-reducing breakfast food. Combining oatmeal with milk makes for a terrific facial cleanser that moisturizes the skin.

Lemon

Lemon juice is a utility player in both the culinary and medical worlds. Lemon juice is great for relieving sore throats. When combined with other ingredients such as honey, ginger, garlic or pineapple juice, it can fortify the immune system against flu, improve digestion, and aid in weight loss.

Olive Oil

Daubing the scalp with olive oil and washing it off after 6-8 hours is a natural way to thicken hair and boost cranial hygiene more generally.

Natural Remedies on the Spice Rack

So next time you’re in your kitchen, take stock of all the items with medicinal and hygienic uses. Your spice rack alone is a treasure trove of natural aids and remedies. Sometimes, you may already have the cure right at home.

Unwanted facial hair can trigger a bevy of emotions ranging from annoyance to embarrassment to outright dread. Both men and women can experience this issue, but unwanted facial hair definitely more of a problem for women. Whether manifesting itself as a patch of hair on your chin, above your lip, or anywhere else on your face, unwanted facial hair is a universal issue, which is why there are so many products — some reliable and some dubious — that claim to help people to eliminate or manage unwanted facial hair.

In the U.S., the men’s grooming industry is now worth an astounding $4 billion, and 25% of this tally is attributable to hair removal products and services as men favor a smooth face over a bearded or mustached face. Another source notes that women spend an average of $10,207 on shaving over the course of a lifetime, and the average lifetime costs that women pay for waxing or permanent hair removal are, respectively, $23,000 and $3,000. Meanwhile, Statista, in a study looking at the use of hair removal productions in the U.S., finds that 30.74 million Americans used hair removal solutions in 2016 — and they’re trying out different remedies.

Here are 7 different things people are using to remove unwanted facial hair. Maybe something on this list can give you the smooth face you’ve been dreaming of.

• Molasses Wax

In order to make molasses wax, put a cup of sugar inside a container that is safe for microwave use. Add enough molasses to submerge the sugar, stir up the two ingredients, and allow the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes. Put the container with the mixture into the microwave for between two minutes and three minutes. As soon as the mixture cools, squeeze half a lemon into it. Put some of the mixture on the unwanted facial hair that you want to get rid of, press a cloth or waxing strip into the applied mixture, and pull to extract the hair.

• Papaya & Turmeric

Some people swear that papaya and turmeric, when combined, can help to remove facial hair. The thinking is that papaya contains an enzyme called papain that destroys hair follicles and keeps them from growing more hair. Turmeric, meanwhile, assists in preventing regrowth of hair.

In order to make this mixture, you’ll want to get a few chunks of papaya flesh, combine it with turmeric powder in the amount of half of a teaspoon, and mix the two ingredients to make a creamy paste.

Put the paste on parts of your face that have unwanted hair, massage the area in order to rub it in thoroughly, permit it to stay on your face for about 15 minutes, and then wash off the paste.

Repeat this routine as often as every two weeks. If all goes well, you’ll notice the unwanted hair gradually disappearing.

• Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular option when it comes to removing unwanted hair. The surgeon will use a special laser to direct light into the undesired hair follicles. These follicles contain pigment that will absorb the light from the laser, and this process will remove your unwanted facial hair.

For areas like the face, arm, underarm, leg, bikini line, and more, laser surgery can bring permanent relief from unwanted hair. However, you will likely need multiple treatments before you can look forward to no recurrences in the treated areas.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that surgical procedures such as laser hair removal will have side effects. It can cause ingrown hairs and even leave blisters and rawness in extreme cases. In such cases, there are products on the market, like Tend Skin® Liquid, that may provide you with the relief you need.

• Tweezer

Many people will advocate tweezing to remove small patches of hair, but we would warn against this method. Tweezers can easily damage skin and create scarring. Even at best, the hair you pluck can break, which could ultimately lead to ingrown hairs. Best to just skip the tweezers entirely.

• Shaving

Shaving can definitely help you to get rid of unwanted facial hair, but you may have to re-do it every one to three days in order to keep your face silky and smooth. You can use an electric shaver, razor, or disposable razor. For best results, shave in the direction in which the hair you want to remove grows, and always use a sharp blade.

• Electrolysis

Performed by a professional, electrolysis involves a process where a small needle is positioned within the hair follicles you want to get rid of — then an electric current is applied to these needles. The process is a lengthy one, which is why electrolysis makes more sense if the area you want to treat is relatively small. You will require treatments every week or two until the targeted area is mostly free of hair.

• Creams

You can opt for prescription creams or over-the-counter creams in order to address your unwanted hair problem. Prescription creams, which you’ll need to apply daily, do not actually remove hairs. What they do is reduce the hair growth rate and render the hair to be finer.

You can combine prescription creams with laser hair removal or shaving for the end result you want. With over-the-counter creams, you can address your problem since the product eats away at the proteins that combine to form hair. The results can last between a few days and a few weeks.

There are definitely a number of ways to remove unwanted facial hair. Try one or more of them out to determine whether or not they provide you with the results you’re looking for. When it comes to some of the options, you may experience some post-procedure discomfort. Regardless of what method you use to get rid of unwanted facial hair, always keep a bottle of Tend Skin® Liquid Liquid close at hand!

How to Deal With Ingrown Hairs – Prevention, Causes & Effects

When it comes to how to deal with ingrown hairs, like so many things our body does, it’s not like we can order our skin to stop doing that! We can’t just quit having hair growing in unwanted places, stop acne, eliminate sweating, or stop producing hormones. It’s clear that things simply don’t work that way. Ingrown hairs, especially on our faces, are yet another annoying problem we often struggle with when it comes to our skin care routines.

Causes of Ingrown Hairs

An ingrown hair occurs when the sharp tip of a newly growing hair curls back or cuts sideways into the skin, causing an irregular growth pattern outside of the follicle. People with naturally curly, thick, and coarse hair are especially prone to instances of ingrown hairs for these obvious reasons. Studies have shown that dark-skinned or African American males are especially prone to this type of skin irritation that happens mostly in their bearded regions, around their face and neck.

These outbreaks are exasperated by shaving since it stretches the hair, cuts it off and leaves a sharp edge behind that’s free to grow unprotected. Therefore, these irritants commonly appear in the armpits, bikini line, on the face, legs and almost any other part of the body where unwanted hair grows. In some rare instances, it can be even be found on the eyelids, which can be particularly painful, irritating, and unsightly (pardon the pun).

Stretching The Truth

It’s also been shown that pulling the skin tightly when shaving causes the hair that’s growing beneath and to become even sharper and more deeply imbedded in the skin. This goes against how men have been taught to shave their faces for generations.

The same goes for women in the way we trim our legs, armpits, and nether regions, pulling the skin to get a better shaving surface. In fact, this can actually cause more harm than good.

Effects of Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are most often seen as small, red (or brownish), raised bumps on the skin, similar to the appearance of acne. Although unsightly, these outbreaks can also lead to complications such as:

• Bacterial infections
• Hyperpigmentation (or the darkening of skin tone)
• Keloids (permanent scarring)
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps)

Dealing With The Dilemma

Once it occurs, some professionals say you should treat this type of a dilemma in a manner similar to a pimple or an acne breakout. Using basic, well-known solutions like the application of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid several times daily can aid in the healing process and help to prevent infections and further breakouts.

An Ounce Of Prevention

Exfoliation and a daily skin care regime are great ways to stop these ingrown hairs from reoccurring. These processes will help to soften the skin and assist new hair growth from becoming a problem in the future.

Similar to treating acne, as a preventative measure, there are effective topical solutions available that can reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs. Consider adding these products into your daily routine to keep ingrown hairs from becoming more irritating.

Not Gender Specific

Ingrown hairs may be a big problem for men who shave their faces. But they also occur from tweezing and plucking which many women do on a daily basis.

Interrupting the growth process is one thing, but we can take a step in the right direction with preventing these unsightly growths from occurring in the first place. Given the right kind of skin regiment, tending to our skin in a more productive way can produce many positive results.

Think about adding a product into your daily skincare routine that could diminish these occurrences or stop them altogether. A little prevention goes a long way.

If you’ve shaved more than a handful of times, then you’re likely well acquainted with razor bumps.

Razor bumps, otherwise known by the more clinical term of pseudofolliculitis barbae, is a problem that occurs when false follicles are created by hair tips that penetrate back into the skin. They can form if you cut the ends of your hair, primarily coarse hair in your beard region or on some other part of your body. The cutting process actually sharpens your hair ends, and these pointy tips can, if they poke back into your skin, lead to irritation and cause razor bumps. You will be more susceptible to getting the condition if your hair is particularly thick or curly.

Essential oils are a wonderful natural way to improve the appearance and vitality of your skin. Many of them have natural properties that benefit the skin, providing hydration, helping clear blemishes and bumps, and acting as a natural astringent. Some can even help with bigger problems, such as psoriasis, eczema, and aging.

For many of us, shaving in the morning is as automatic as brushing our teeth and combing our hair. While shaving is just one of the routines that need to be checked off each morning, the daily hair removal technique that we’ve all embraced can be tedious, time-consuming…and, well, painful.

But, still, each morning we suds up and break out the razor. Hoping that we don’t endure a cut or razor burn. While many of us can’t afford expensive laser treatments to rid the body of hair growth, there are a few tips and tricks to make shaving easier…and less frustrating.

“You are what you eat” is a saying that you have probably heard before, yet likely dismissed. However, it turns out that what you eat, can in fact, affect every aspect of your physical health and your well-being – especially your skin.

A recent study found that people who consumed a diet made up of completely natural foods did not develop acne, while those whose diets consisted largely of refined carbohydrates were more prone to this troubling skin condition. The reason? Cakes, cookies, white breads and pastas, along with other refined carbs, cause a serious spike in blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are high, hormone levels surge, which, in turn, causes acne.

On top of that, like all of the other organs within the body, your skin needs certain nutrients in order to remain healthy. If you are eating a diet that doesn’t contain the proper nutrients, not only are you at an increased risk for developing acne, but your skin could lose its elasticity, become even become sallow.

As the largest organ, your skin does a lot for your health. It protects you from illness and disease, shields internal organs and the musculoskeletal system, and it also affects the way you look. If your skin is unhealthy, not only can you see it, but you can also feel it.

So, how can you make sure your skin is in good health? By altering your diet. Cut out those refined carbs and replace them with foods that have been found to nourish the skin.