Can Shaving Cause Hyperpigmentation?

Shaving is a personal grooming ritual that many men and women engage in on a regular basis. It can make skin smoother and more attractive, giving you the confidence to wear whatever clothing you like. It is almost crucial during the summer months when you ditch jeans and sweatpants for shorts and swimsuits. Whether you are shaving your facial area, intimate area, or even your underarms, there is a common question that many individuals have: can shaving cause hyperpigmentation, and if so, what can be done about it? Thanks to procedures such as intimate lightening, you no longer have to worry about any discoloration that can be caused by personal hygiene routines, which gives you more freedom to feel comfortable about who you are and how your body looks.

Why Does Shaving Cause Hyperpigmentation?

Although almost every individual includes in their personal hygiene routine, shaving has a side effect – hyperpigmentation. But why does the act of shaving cause the darkening of skin? It turns out that due to the aggressive nature of hair removal again and again in that area, the skin can take on a darker color. In other words, the constant rubbing and scraping of the razor blades against your skin can cause irritation. When that irritation is repeated continually, it can actually darken your skin. 

What Can I Do About Hyperpigmentation?

There are several things that you can do to help combat hyperpigmentation:

• Ensure you are constantly wetting your razor and shaving only areas that have been adequately moistened with water and moisture-rich shaving cream or gel.
• Never shave against the grain – only with the grain. This is especially true for intimate areas.
• Avoid any products that have alcohol in them instead of choosing oils or moisturizing creams that do not contain any drying ingredients.
• Exfoliate the area before shaving.
• Consider intimate lightening.

What is Intimate Lightening for Hyperpigmentation?

Intimate lightening, despite the name, can actually be used on many other areas of the body, such as the underarms, too. This procedure can lighten darkened areas of skin so that it matches the rest of your skin, which can come in handy for areas that are already darkened due to shaving. It works by using a skin-safe, body-friendly combination of botanicals blended together and applied to the skin to lighten the area. This usually requires several treatments in order to reach your desired lightness and may require maintenance treatments every few months to keep your skin looking its best.

If you would like to learn more about hyperpigmentation and how intimate lightening can help reduce its appearance, please call the office of Dr. Ghozland today!