As a parent, your top priority is keeping your kids safe and healthy. But once your teens reach a certain age, you’ve got to allow them to learn some of these responsibilities for themselves as they prepare to become adults. However, in many cases, your teen will still need some guidance from you, especially when it comes to trying new things that could potentially be dangerous for them, like shaving.
So to help ensure that your teen is able to start off on the right foot with this, here are three health and safety tips to teach your teen as they start learning to shave.
Never Shave On Dry Skin
Not only can shaving be dangerous, as your teen will be using a razor close to some very sensitive areas of their body, but shaving could also cause some serious harm to your teen’s skin if they’re not careful.
To avoid this, the Cleveland Clinic shares that you should teach your teen to never shave on dry skin. Regardless of how much of a time-crunch your teen might be in, warn them that shaving on dry skin could cause some real problems for them.
When your skin is dry, it’s much more likely to sustain nicks, cuts, or irritation from shaving. So if your teen doesn’t have at least 10 minutes to devote to shaving using warm water, advise them to just go without for the day.
Take Care Of Your Razor
The razor your teen uses to shave can have a big impact on how safely they’re able to complete this task. While you can get safety razors, it’s important to teach your teen how to take care of any razor he or she might be using.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some of the best guidelines for taking care of your razor are to rinse it off after each swipe that you take while shaving and to store your razor in a clean, dry area once you’re done shaving. By doing these two things, your teen will ensure that their razor blades stay clear of any buildup or bacteria that could make shaving more dangerous.
Shave In The Right Direction
Choosing the right direction to shave can also make a difference in how safely and effectively your teen shaves.
For boys, Rachel Grumman Bender, a contributor to Greatist.com, shares that you should teach them to always shave with the grain when shaving their faces. This will help reduce a lot of potential irritation. But for those who shave their legs, it’s fine to shave against the grain if it means you’re able to get a closer shave.
If your teen is about ready to start shaving, consider using the tips mentioned above to teach them how to do so safely.
