An electric shaver is a device used for shaving by moving the blade, which is covered with a foil sheet sideways and can be rotated in all directions.
Electric shavers are convenient, and people who don’t want to shave their face with a razor can use an electric shaver.
Before you go for the electric razor, it is worthwhile to know about the side effects of an electric shaver.
Using an electric razor is a lot easier than using a manual razor, but you can still get ingrown hairs and have skin irritation if you’re not careful.
If you’re prone to these issues, it might be best to use an electric hair trimmer to enjoy an easy beard trimming experience instead of an electric shaver because it will leave your beard longer so that your skin won’t be irritated or get ingrown hairs as quickly.
Side Effects Of Electric Shaver
Electric razors do not provide as close of a shave as traditional razors. The reason is that traditional razors offer a closer shave because they remove the hair itself.
Electric shaver blades have a hard time reaching the contours of your face and neck, resulting in uneven hair growth and missed spots.
These shavers only cut hair at the surface level, meaning you’ll likely have to make multiple passes over each area to get a smooth finish.
Irritation
Electric shavers irritate the skin by pulling the hair up above the surface and then cutting it off. Many men experience skin irritation after using an electric shaver or any other hair-cutting tools for the first time.
This can lead to redness and, ingrown hairs, susceptible skin. This irritation can worsen and respond poorly to typical shaving creams and gels with regular use.
Not effective for long hair
One of the most significant drawbacks of using an electric razor is that it is ineffective at cutting long hair.
This can leave you with uneven spots on your face — especially around your mouth and neck. If you’re someone who has a full beard and wants to keep it that way, you might want to consider using a traditional razor instead.
Health risks
Electric razors contain small metal pieces called “flywheels” that can cause minor cuts on your skin if they get in contact with it.
The best way to prevent this is to make sure your blades are clean and change them regularly, so you don’t have any metal pieces in contact with your skin.
Spread of bacteria
On top of that, electric shavers are more likely to spread bacteria because their blades don’t stay as sterile as those on a manual razor. That means if you have an open cut or pimple on your face, it can lead to an infection.
Ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs are a common problem with electric shavers because they tend to cut below the skin surface level, and the hair left behind does not come out of the follicle but grows back into the skin.
The hair that curls back and grows sideways under the skin can result in an inflamed, red bump that looks like a small pimple. Bacteria in the pores cause inflammation and pain, leading to infection over time.
The most effective way to prevent ingrown hairs is to exfoliate your skin regularly. Soak in warm water for three to four minutes. Use fine-grit sandpaper or washcloth to exfoliate the affected area gently.
You should also avoid using a dull blade since sharp blades will cut hair easier without dragging on the skin.
If you experience ingrown hairs after shaving, use a warm compress to loosen the hair. Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes, twice a day, then try tweezing it out.
Ingrown hairs can be treated with tweezers by pulling the hair from under the skin. However, this should only be done after disinfecting the site with an antiseptic solution.
If tweezing doesn’t work, ask your doctor about having it removed professionally or try other treatments such as glycolic acid peels or laser therapy.
Try not to scratch or pick at the area, which can cause an infection. If infected, apply antibiotic ointment and see your doctor if the infection doesn’t clear up in two days.
Takeaway:
Electric shavers are an excellent invention for men who want to look clean-shaven but don’t want to deal with the hassle of shaving every day. But, if you’re not careful, you could wind up with razor burn or ingrown hairs.