Shaving your arms is only a matter of personal preference, like shaving any other body hair or sporting a mustache or bangs.
Although some people may opt to shave their arms because they prefer the appearance or feel of smooth arms, there is no health benefit to doing so.
To prevent razor burns, nicks, and skin irritation when shaving your arms, it’s a good idea to be aware of the advantages, hazards, and best techniques.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Although shaving the arms has no real health advantages, some individuals love the way they look and feel.
✅ Others discover that having hairless armpits reduces the stink that comes from sweating in the armpits.
✅ Anywhere on the body that is shaved, including the arms and armpits, runs the risk of ingrown hairs, razor burn, and skin irritability.
✅ You’re less likely to feel irritation from shaving if you exfoliate and moisturize the delicate skin of your arms and armpits.
Is shaving your arms bad?
Contrary to popular perception, hair that has been shaved does not regrow thicker. The process of shaving has little impact on the color, coarseness, or rate of growth. Although the hair itself hasn’t altered, it could feel coarser since shaving gives the hair a straight, blunt edge (what you generally think of as stubble).
The thickness of hair may fluctuate during periods of significant hormonal change, such as puberty or pregnancy. The beginning of shaving does not alter the hair, but androgens, male sex hormones that are present in both sexes during puberty, may induce a change in hair thickness and texture.
There is nothing wrong with shaving your arms as long as it is done safely.
Benefits
Some people love the way their armpits and arms look with no hair, while others aren’t disturbed by it. Shaving is good for people who enjoy the feel of smooth, hair-free arms. Shaving your armpits may make you sweat less, or at least less noticeable because hair holds onto moisture (sweat rings on your shirt sleeves, for example).
Shaving may help lessen the smell that comes from sweat. Since most hair is permeable, perspiration can be absorbed and retained by it. Antiperspirants, deodorants, and even dietary modifications like drinking more water and cutting back on alcohol and caffeine are all other measures besides shaving that can be utilized to minimize armpit sweat.
Negative effects
Any area of the body, including the arms and armpits, can experience negative side effects from shaving. When using a dull blade to shave, you run the risk of getting skin irritation, nicks and scrapes, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Additionally, because it’s difficult to see and the skin is uneven, rough areas of skin, like those on the elbow, are particularly vulnerable to cuts and nicks from shaving.
Razor burn may result from:
- utilizing a blunt or rusted blade
- not using lubricant during shaving (cream or gel)
- shaving too soon
When shaved hair grows back into the skin rather than straight out, it results in ingrown hairs, which are painful, red pimples on the skin. Folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicle, is another sort of skin irritation that can happen. There are numerous potential causes, including:
- bacteria
- dressing constricted
- using a dull blade when shaving
It typically appears as a cluster of tiny, red dots on the skin and causes burning or itching.
Shaving-related folliculitis can lead to keloids, which are permanent, dark, elevated scars on the skin.
Do males need to shave their arms?
While shaving has advantages and disadvantages for both sexes, historically speaking, men are less likely to shave their arm or underarm hair. Men with shaved armpits can see a decrease in sweat-related body odor.
Men who have less underarm hair say it feels lighter and less irritating. Men who choose to shave their arms will probably need to do it more frequently because men’s hair tends to grow more quickly than women’s hair does.
How to properly shave your arms
There are techniques for shaving your arms and armpits that can lessen negative effects and result in the most comfortable shave.
Consider cutting the hair using scissors and an electric razor before shaving your arms if you’ve never done it before and the hair there is unusually curly, thick, or coarse. This will maintain the sharpness of your blade, which is necessary for a close, nick-free shave.
Shaving your arms:
- Ensure that your armpits and upper arms are clean and moist (shaving in the shower is a good idea for this reason).
- While it’s not required every time you shave, exfoliating will assist get rid of dead skin. Your arms and armpits will feel smoother as a result, and removing oil and dead skin can also lessen skin irritation. Be careful not to over-exfoliate if you often shave.
- Lubricate your arms before using the razor on your skin. The best option is a shaving gel or cream, but lathered soap can be used in a pinch.
- Shave starting at the wrist and moving up toward the elbow crease. Some individuals only shave their forearms, but if you’d rather, you can shave your entire arm. To shave the delicate skin of the elbow, place your hand on the shoulder of the same arm (for example, the right hand on the right shoulder).
- Because armpit hair grows in all directions, it’s recommended to shave the armpits in all three ways: up, down, and side to side. This will enable you to shave as smoothly as possible.
Different methods
Shaving is a quick and simple method for getting rid of body hair, but it requires repeated use because the hair is only removed from the surface of the body, not from the root. Consider these alternative hair removal techniques if you want something more long-lasting or quicker (razor blades also cost more over time):
- waxing
- Laser hair eradication
- electrolysis
- threading
- epilators
- sugaring
- Creams to remove hair