First of all we have to establish what depilation is in the first place. In short words it's a hair removal technique that lets you get rid of the outer (visible) part of hair on the skin surface without its root.

The most common way of depilation is shaving.

Even though this technique seems pretty easy and straightforward there are some pitfalls to it as well as certain unquestionable advantages of this technique.

The benefits of shaving are that it's:

- fast

- pain-free

- generally non-invasive

- fairly cheap

The disadvantages of shaving are:

- quick hair regrowth

- possibility of cuts

Skin preparation before shaving

Before you shave it is crucial that you cleanse your skin/ hair thoroughly. It's also a good idea to use a delicate, non-abrasive exfoliator to get rid of dead skin cells and ensure a smooth shave. If your hair tends to regrow fast and you need to shave more often then you do not have to scrub every time you shave. It's not recommended to exfoliate every day. Once to twice a week is optimal while some people opt for one or twice a month exfoliation.

Wet or dry

You can choose between wet and dry shaving. For a wet shave you would normally use a disposable or non-disposable shaver. If your skin is prone to infections I recommend disposable shavers. There are different models available on the market depending on your skin's needs. Depending on your preference you can get a shaver with one to four blades (they keep on adding additional so pretty soon we may have ten-bladed shavers available...).

Single blade vs. many blades

If you have a sensitive skin then do use single-bladed shaver, it is generally less invasive and more hygienic.

If your skin is really sensitive or has a tendency to ingrown hair then you should really choose an electric shaver.

Wet shave is generally closer than dry shave but in my opinion dry shave proves more delicate for sensitive skin and significantly minimises the risk of cuts.

There are certain products available that can make shaving more comfortable, smoother, more delicate and closer. If you go for a wet shave make sure to use a shaving foam or oil. There are also special shower liquids available that soften your hair and lather very well and therefore make the shaving altogether more pleasant experience.

If you prefer dry shaving then you can use special pre-shave primer to achieve a closer shave. It enables you a closer shave by lifting hair and by smoothing the skin. It also minimises the risk of skin irritation.

Products to use when shaving

1. Johnsons - Silky Skin Shower and Shave Cream (Comforting)

2. American Crew - Lubricating Shave Oil contains eucalyptus and clove essential oils to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hair

3. Gillette Satin Care - Sensitive Skin Shave Gel with aloe, vitamin E and silk to decrease skin irritation

4. Clinique - Electric Shave Primer

Skincare after shaving

Whatever your chosen shaving technique is never forget to disinfect the skin afterwards. In my opinion the alcohol-based products are the best to do it. They may be harsh but you can be satisfied that your skin is bacteria-free. If the skin is inflamed or you cut yourself use a product containing zinc oxide. It will prevent infection and speed up the healing process. If you tend to suffer from ingrown hair then a lotion with urea will help you prevent this problem. If you do not suffer from any skin condition and just need to moisturise after you shave I recommend a delicate unscented lotion.

Products to use after shaving

1. E45 Dermatological Lotion to moisturise after shaving is dermatologically tested and perfume free

2. Eucerin - Treatment Lotion with 10% Urea to prevent ingrown hair

3. Forest Tosara - Sudocrem contains healing zinc oxide to treat inflamed skin and cuts

Coming Soon - Depilation part 2, in which I will explain how to use depilatory creams/ foams as well as explain some more unusual depilation techniques like buffing and threading.