Why Shaving is Healthy for You
Naked Armor
We tend to think of shaving as a grooming routine that we regularly do in order to look good.
Published by Naked Armor
Shaving with a straight razor
While that isn’t necessarily a bad (or vain) thing to do, it’s not just about the pleasure of viewing a clean-shaven face. It’s also healthy for you.
As it happens, every April 7 is World Health Day. The United Nations and the World Health Organization celebrate the event as an occasion to raise awareness of the need to improve global health. And what better way to do it than by highlighting the reasons why shaving benefits you. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?
Here are the top reasons why shaving is healthy for you.
It Promotes Better Hygiene
Having good personal hygiene is an effective way to prevent ourselves from getting sick from diseases. Every day, your skin is exposed to millions of germs and viruses in your environment. They can linger on your body, and in some cases, make you sick. Hygienic practices like grooming or washing hands can help prevent you and the people around you from catching the sick bug.
Unfortunately, facial hair can be a breeding ground for nasty germs. A year ago, there was a study made by European researchers which discovered that the beards covering men's faces hide "significantly higher" amounts of bacteria than found on dogs.
In the study, all the male volunteers had high microbial counts in comparison to the dog volunteers. It also found out that disease-causing bacteria was present in higher populations on the beards. Some of these were even of the species that causes urinary tract infections.
While admittedly the study sampling was small enough to warrant some skepticism from most researchers, the results do suggest that beards, particularly the unkempt ones, can be home to thriving populations of pathogenic bacteria.
On the basis of this, having a regular shaving routine is good hygiene. By getting a close shave regularly, you get rid of the skin germs that cause diseases.
Because wet shaving uses many products and requires a step-by-step approach, one has to spend a significant amount of personal time shaving. Some might even consider it as a “Me” time which is all the more beneficial because it helps set the mind inward, focused, and calm.
— D'Rock, Naked Armor Founder
It Creates Healthier Skin
When done properly, shaving results to a healthier skin because of its exfoliating benefits on the skin layer.
As the blade glides along the outermost layer of skin, not only does it cuts down the hair blades but it also helps remove the debris that’s usually found on the skin. This debris is usually made of dead skin cells and dried sebum, which is the natural oil that moisturizes our skin.
This action clears the skin so that the pores are able to breathe and the blood vessels near the skin are stimulated to bring fresh blood to nourish the skin layers.
Some dermatologists even think that getting a clean shave helps promote collagen production because it’s like a facial peel. As the razor cuts the hair, it also peels away the dead skin layer. Similarly, a facial peel stimulates collagen production by peeling off the outermost layer to induce the production of new skin cells. Collagen is a protein that is important in the creation of skin cells.
Shaving results to a healthier skin because of its exfoliating benefits on the skin layer
It Rejuvenates the Skin
If you’re into wet shaving, it can also help rejuvenate the skin on a daily basis.
This is mainly because wet shaving makes your skin permeable to absorption. And when you’re using natural-based and organically produced wet shaving products, you’ll definitely want all those nutritious essential oils to be easily absorbed by your skin.
Like for instance, beard oils. The natural oils that form the base of this product are usually jojoba and argan essential oils which not only preps your beard but also nourishes your skin. Jojoba oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties which clears the skin and makes it youthful. Argan oil, meanwhile, is a rich source of vitamin E, which is required for healthy skin, hair, and eyes. It also contains healthy fatty acids that are essential in skin nourishment.
The essential oils from natural-based products are absorbed by the skin and they can help rejuvenate the skin
Organic shaving soaps, meanwhile, contain high amounts of natural glycerin which is sourced from coconut oil or soy. Glycerin helps moisturize the skin. Some soaps may also contain olive oil, shea butter, and beeswax, all of which help protect and nourish the skin from dryness. All of these means that the lather you will be applying on your face is a bountiful cocktail of healthy ingredients designed to nourish the skin while also protecting it from blade friction.
Finally, aftershaves. Artisanal and organically produced aftershaves contain other natural oils aside from the requisite witch hazel which acts as an astringent and a natural toner. Other natural oils include aloe vera, chamomile, and even extracts of seaweed. All of these have nourishing properties so that while an aftershave closes the pores and heals microabrasions, it will also make your skin healthy and clean.
It’s Good for Your Mental Health
Much has been said of how tedious daily wet shaving can be but what has not been often highlighted is how it can contribute to the state of your mental health.
Its value lies in the slow process. Because wet shaving uses many products and requires a step-by-step approach, one has to spend a significant amount of personal time shaving. Some might even consider it as a “Me” time which is all the more beneficial because it helps set the mind inward, focused, and calm.
In fact, many shaving professionals call the wet shaving ritual as a time for meditation. And in certain ways, it is. As Jorunn says “Shaving with a traditional razor inspires you to focus on the moment, being fully present. There is warm water. There is calm breathing. There is nothing in the world except you, the razor, and your shaving cream or shaving soap. It is a moment of mindfulness. And as such, it is almost as valuable as meditation. And mindfulness will improve your mental health.”
Wet shaving is a time for meditation and a form of "Me" time. It helps set the mind inward, focused, and calm.
Be Healthy the Naked Armor Way
Here at Naked Armor, we believe that health is wealth and that’s why all our products are made with natural ingredients and produced organically. We like to say that our brand is synonymous with luxurious shaving but really, it’s also about being healthy, not only for your body but also for our environment.
Our high-quality straight razors are made from Japanese steel which is recyclable and produced with a low carbon footprint. We don’t use plastic for our razor handles either. All in all, if you want a sustainable way of shaving to match your healthy outlook in life, look no further than Naked Armor.
Check out our site for more info.
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