Getting hair removed from your body can make you feel and look good. There are many ways to get this done, from waxing it off to using lasers. However, shaving is still the preferred method for many because it is cheap, effective, and convenient.
Make your shaving experience a positive one by incorporating sugar scrub into your routine. If this is a new practice for you, read on because we have all the basics covered, including the answer to, “Do you use sugar scrub before or after shaving?”
Do You Use Sugar Scrub Before or After Shaving?
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Using a sugar scrub is a practice that many follow. However, there is an ongoing discussion about whether sugar scrubs should be used before or after shaving.
You can certainly do your sugar scrubbing before and after shaving. There’s no question about that because they both offer certain benefits. Applying sugar scrub before shaving can make your skin softer and cleaner by getting rid of the dead skin cells around the hair shafts. Sugar scrubbing before shaving also helps keep your razor sharp and free of impurities.
After shaving, you can treat your legs, arms, and other body parts with a sugar scrub for extra comfort, moisture, and TLC. It can also help prevent ingrown hairs and those tiny unpleasant bumps from forming. For best results, use a sugar scrub on your freshly shaved skin at least 24 hours after to give your skin time to recover.
You can also do a scrub in between shaves, not just before and after. Regular scrubs will make your skin cleaner, unclog your pores, and keep ingrown hairs at bay.
Purpose of Sugar Scrub in Skincare
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Your skin gets exposed to dirt, dust, and other environmental elements. This can leave your skin dry, rough, and damaged. But you can help your skin retain its glow by incorporating sugar scrubs into your skincare routine.
The primary purpose of a sugar scrub is to help with exfoliation. This is when the outer layer with dead skin cells is removed so it can trigger cellular turnover and the development of new and healthier skin.
Sugar has smaller and rounder granules than salt, making it less abrasive and gentler on your skin. It contains glycolic acid, a form of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that breaks down dead skin while smoothening its surface.
Sugar also helps rehydrate skin, keeping it moisturized and conditioned. Hence, sugar scrubs are ideal for those with dehydrated and extremely dry skin.
Benefits of Using a Sugar Scrub Before Shaving
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#1. Sugar scrubs exfoliate your skin.
Applying a sugar scrub preps your skin for shaving by removing the dead skin cells. This facilitates a smoother, closer shave that is soft to the touch. You won’t have to worry about dead skin obstructing your blade since the skin was cleared of residue during exfoliation.
#2. Sugar scrubs can minimize the risk of ingrown hair.
Due to its gentle but abrasive properties, a sugar scrub is a great way to unclog your pores and clean your hair follicles, significantly reducing the risk of ingrown hairs. Additionally, since sugar scrubs are intended to soften your skin, they can help make your hair grow back easier.
#3. Sugar scrubs can make shaving easier.
After applying sugar scrub to your skin, your skin becomes softer and smoother, improving its texture. This makes shaving easier because the razor can seamlessly glide over your skin. You won’t need to keep shaving the same places to get rid of residual hair.
#4. Sugar scrubs can aid in your skin’s hydration.
Most sugar scrubs use quality oils like jojoba and almond, making them excellent for hydration. After applying your sugar scrub with these oils, your skin becomes moisturized, which is a huge win, especially if you have sensitive and dry skin. You’re more likely to suffer from nicks and wounds when you shave without moisturizing the area first.
#5. Sugar scrubs can minimize razor burns.
Dry shaving can lead to skin irritations and razor burns. However, this can be avoided by moisturizing and exfoliating the area first — something that can be achieved by applying a sugar scrub. You also don’t have to worry about shaving too fast, which is another cause of razor burns, because your shaving blade will glide on your smooth skin.
Pre-Shave Skincare Routine
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It pays to give your skin extra attention before you start shaving. Here is an effective pre-shave skincare routine that you can use.
#1. Gently wash the skin you’ll be shaving with warm water for an initial cleanse.
#2. Pat dry with a towel while ensuring that your skin remains damp.
#3. Use your hands or washcloth to apply a sugar scrub on your damp skin.
#4. Following a circular motion, gently massage the sugar scrub on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. The circular motion helps boost blood circulation, allowing the scrub to gently exfoliate your skin.
#5. Gently stretch your skin upwards with one hand. With the other hand, start shaving your skin with sure, small strokes. Make sure that you are shaving in the direction of your hair growth and not against it.
#6 Once done, rinse your skin with warm water and dry your skin.
#7. Generously apply lotion or cream to help your skin lock in moisture.
Benefits of Sugar Scrubs After Shaving
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#1. Sugar scrubs can minimize irritation.
Even if you don’t experience nicks and razor burns, shaving can still cause inflammation and redness. A sugar scrub will keep your skin soft and moisturized, preventing irritation.
#2. Sugar scrubs can prevent the growth of ingrown hairs.
Sugar scrubs can ensure that any hair residues from shaving are removed, won’t re-enter your skin follicles, and clog pores because they can help push the hair inward. Unclogging the pores of the skin can also help minimize breakouts.
To reduce the chances of infection, you can also add tea tree oil to your post-shave routine.
#3. Sugar scrubs can soothe the shaved area.
Your shaved skin is extra sensitive after shaving so giving it some TLC a day after by applying a sugar scrub to help with healing. Using oils that have antibacterial properties, like tea tree oil and peppermint, can stop and address any infections caused by shaving.
Post-Shave Skincare Routine
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It’s best to use a sugar scrub at least 24 hours after shaving. This will give your skin time to recover. Here’s a simple post-shave skincare routine you can follow:
#1. Start with wet skin and always use warm water to soften your skin.
#2. Apply the sugar scrub on your skin with your loofah or hands.
#3. Gently massage the mixture on your skin using a circular pattern.
#4. After 10 minutes, wash off the sugar scrub with warm water.
#5. Pat your skin dry. Apply lotion to lock in the moisture.
When Should You Use a Sugar Scrub?
The best time to perform a sugar scrub is after bathing or showering. Since it’s an exfoliating agent, applying it after your body wash or shower gel reinforces that squeaky clean feeling.
Additionally, your skin has already been prepped with warm water so it is still damp and soft, allowing you to enjoy the maximum benefits of your sugar scrub.
You can pamper your skin with exfoliation and hydration as often as every other day. Your skin will thrive with the additional moisture and the absence of dead skin cells.
Can Sugar Scrubs Get Rid of Razor Bumps?
Razor bumps happen because of ingrown hairs. The medical term for them is pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB.
Razor bumps form when ingrown hair begins to grow back into the skin instead of up and out of the skin. As the strand grows, it curls and positions itself inwards and under the new skin cells. This natural process traps the hair inside, causing a bump to develop.
The best way to get rid of razor bumps is to let your skin heal on its own. This means not shaving, plucking, or waxing the hair. Without your intervention, razor bumps will naturally disappear.
If you cannot wait, use a sugar scrub before shaving. This natural exfoliating agent has abrasive sugar granules that remove dirt and the dead layers of skin that could clog your pores.
Sugar scrubs can also help get rid of razor bumps caused by ingrown hairs. By addressing the root cause, these scrubs will leave your skin smoother and bump-free.
