Can Electric Shaver Cause Hyperpigmentation?

When it comes to your facial hair, you can either let it grow or shave it. If you choose the latter, you need to choose whether to use an electric shaver or a traditional shaving device. Electric shaving has several benefits. Unfortunately, many complain that it causes hyperpigmentation. Does electric shaver darken skin?

Let’s find out here.

Does Electric Shaver Darken Skin?

A good shave can give you a clean face. It also shapes your jaw. But it may also darken your skin. Thus, if you notice that your skin gets darker on your face, don’t blame the lighting. It’s a real thing.

How Does Electric Shaver Darken Skin? 

Shaving can be aggressive to your skin, causing hyperpigmentation. And if you have sensitive skin, here’s the best electric shaver to use.

The rubbing action of the blades can result in minor cuts. When you experience minor cuts to your skin every time you shave, hyperpigmentation is expected.

Are There Ways to Prevent Hyperpigmentation When You Shave? 

Thankfully, there are ways to prevent skin darkening from shaving your beard. Here are some of the things you can do:

• Make sure that you only shave areas that have been moistened with water.
• Use moisture-rich shaving cream.
• Shaving only with the grain and not against it
• Exfoliate the area first

However, if you have already developed hyperpigmentation in the shaving areas, you may keep these things in mind to prevent future skin discoloration.

Boost Cell Turnover to Keep the Skin Moist 

When you choose a shaving cream, make sure that it contains ingredients that only benefit your skin. For instance, you can pick a cream with glycerin or hyaluronic acid. You can also pick a retinol product to increase cell turnover.

The use of a good moisturizer can help in restoring the skin’s fat barrier. Plus, it protects the skin from further damage.

Apply Sunscreen 

Every time you go out, you need to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30. The higher SPF the better. Keep in mind that if you expose the darkened skin to sunlight, the dark spots will get worsen.

Use Lemon Juice 

You may also wish to apply lemon juice. But make sure to use the lemon fruit and not the lemon juice from a can.

• Add the juice to a small container.
• Dip a cotton ball into the juice.
• Apply it to the affected area.
• Do it twice daily. It can help in bleaching darkened spots.

If you don’t like using lemon juice, you can try applying aloe vera. It contains natural compounds that can lower inflammation. It also helps in promoting skin repair.

There are many ways to use aloe vera on your dark spots.

You may use an aloe vera plant. Cut off a piece and remove the gel-like substance.

Or you can purchase an aloe vera gel from your grocery store.

• Apply the gel to the affected area.
• Let it stay there for 30 minutes.
• Wash it off with cool water.

Apply Hydroquinone Cream 

This is a whitening agent that you can purchase over the counter. You can buy this cream with 2% hydroquinone.

Apply this cream every day for at least 8 weeks. If you can obtain a prescription hydroquinone cream, then it will be better because such cream has 4% hydroquinone. Its effects are quicker. It can help in fading dark spots within just 4 weeks.

However, because it’s a drug, you must use it with caution. Make sure to talk to a dermatologist before actually using it.

If you can’t obtain hydroquinone cream, try the lemon juice alternative. It offers an effective whitening effect to lighten discoloration.

How to Prepare Your Face for an Electric Shave? 

To get the benefits of an electric shaver, you must first purchase the correct razor according to your facial hair type. Choose a shaver with a rotary head design if you have finer or lighter hair. On the other hand, if you have dense facial hair, opt for the foil head shaver.

Prepare Your Face

Having a good facial wash is ideal when shaving your facial hair. A facial wash won’t only clean your face but also makes the area ready for shaving.

Opt for a Pre Shave Oil 

You may also use pre-shave oil. Opt for an oil that’s specifically designed for an electric shaver. This type of oil just lets the razor glide effortlessly over the skin. It also lowers the chances of painful pulling.

You also need to use an electric shaver brush. Use it when the shave starts. It enables the razor to operate more efficiently.

Shave Slowly 

Shaving is an aggressive action. And as mentioned the aggressive nature of shaving is one of the causes of hyperpigmentation.

You may get carried away when you use an electric razor. As a result, you will rush the process. But the more you rush it, you may cut your skin, which causes skin darkening.

Hence, you need to do it slowly. Allow the pre-shave oil first to ink into the skin.

Replenish the Skin

After shaving, make sure that you apply a light coating of a skin food product. It contains vital minerals and nutrients that can promote healthy skin.

Apply a Good Moisturizer

It regenerates the skin layers that electric shaving removes. You may use an aftershave balm or aftershave milk. Either of these products will retain the moisture in your skin. It also helps in making sure your skin heals faster after shaving.

Conclusion 

Does electric shaver darken skin? It does cause hyperpigmentation but only if you do it incorrectly. Make sure that you heed the above-mentioned tips to prepare your face before shaving. But do you know when is the best time to use an electric shaver? Find the answer here. Or buy this 5-in-1 electric shaver which is perfect for traveling.