Prevent shaving rash - Ask the experts: answers to your questions from the leaders in natural medicine - Brief Article

I often get small red bumps after I shave. How can I avoid them?

LAUREL VUKOVIC REPLIES: Small red bumps can appear if you don't use the correct shaving techniques. These simple tips can guarantee a smooth shave.

First, prepare your skin. Take a warm shower or bath, and then massage a moisturizing shaving cream or gel made from aloe (Aloe vera) or calendula (Calendula officinalis) into your skin.

Shave slowly, with short strokes, and rinse the blade often in hot water. (A clean razor is less likely to pull hair and cause irritation.) When you're done shaving, rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water, pat it dry, and apply the following herbal after-shave lotion:

Place 1 cup distilled witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add 2 tablespoons each of dried calendula petals and dried chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita). Steep the mixture for two weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain, and pour into a spray bottle. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin and 10 drops of lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). Shake well, and spray liberally on your skin after shaving. The herbs calendula, chamomile, and lavender soothe skin inflammation, promote healing, and prevent infection. Witch hazel is a cooling astringent, and vegetable glycerin moisturizes your skin. Your herbal after-shave will keep for up to three months if stored in a cool, dark place.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group