Hear Us Out: *Shaving* Your Face Is Better Than Waxing, According to a Derm

Guys have been mastering the art of a clean-shaven face since time immemorial. And while women know the tricks to shaving legs without a nick, anything above the neck is kind of unknown territory for our razors. But face shaving for women yields far better results than waxing, according to a dermatologist.

Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, says waxing is even worse than shaving when it comes to ingrown hairs. Surprising, right? “Waxing disrupts the superficial epidermis when the hair is pulled from the follicle. When the skin regrows, it can grow over the follicular opening and cause hairs to ingrow,” she explains.

If you do it correctly, face shaving for women gets the job done a lot more gently, leaving you with a smooth, hair-free complexion. So what are you waiting for? Even though shaving your face might sound scary (okay, terrifying), it could be the best beauty move you’ve made yet. Here’s every tip you need to know to master the technique, straight from a pro.

5 of the best tips when it comes to face shaving for women

1. Choose the right razor

When it comes to choosing the right razor for your face, don’t reach for the same thing you use on your legs. Instead, Dr. Dendy says to grab a dermaplaning tool for the best results, which uses a single blade.

2. Make sure your skin is well-moisturized

If your skin isn’t well-moisturized before shaving, you might find yourself with a case of redness and irritation. “The key is to condition your skin before shaving to soften the hair and the hair follicle,” she says. “Find an emollient-based shaving cream that, when applied to the skin, softens the hair and follicles so that when a razor goes across the skin, there’s less irritation.”

3. Exfoliate beforehand

To make sure your skin is in prime shaving condition, Dendy recommends having an exfoliating session. “I recommend exfoliating the area first to banish bumps and reduce flaky skin,” she says. “Exfoliating the area ensures that the hair can come cleanly out.”

4. Shave in the same direction as hair growth

To make sure your skin doesn’t become irritated, always shave in the same direction as hair growth—even if it’s tempting to do otherwise. “Shaving against hair growth gives you a closer shave, but the blunt-tipped end of hairs can grow back into the skin rather than up and out,” she Dendy says.

5. Moisturize afterward

Your skin will feel silky smooth after you finish your shave, but don’t forget about the most important part: moisturizing. That way, your complexion will be smooth and glowy until it’s time to bring the razor back out again.