Shaving and Hyperhidrosis

The decision to shave an area of the body is obviously a personal one. Shaving can have benefits for patients with hyperhidrosis, but it can also put you at an increased risk for side effects from antiperspirants. In a prior post, I outlined how to properly apply an antiperspirant, check it out here.

Applying antiperspirants to freshly-shaven skin can cause irritation. To minimize the irritation, consider shaving the area in the morning (because you apply antiperspirants at night to dry skin). If you must apply an antiperspirant immediately after shaving, check out our post on managing side effects of antiperspirants, which recommends the use of a topical hydrocortisone cream, which is available over-the-counter, if you develop redness or irritation from the antiperspirant.

Whether you choose to shave in the morning or in the evening before you apply your antiperspirant, you should abide by these practices to avoid irritation, razor burns, and ingrown hairs:

1. Choose the right razor - use a sharp, high quality razor to prevent nicks and irritation; multi-blade razors or electric shavers are designed for sensitive skin
2. Prep the skin - clean the area with an antibacterial soap and rinse with warm water to soften the hair
3. Use a shaving cream or gel - shaving creams and gels provide a protective barrier and reduce friction; consider products without fragrances, which can cause irritation
4. Shave with the grain - shaving in the direction of hair growth minimizes irritation and ingrown hairs; perform a second pass (also with the grain) if a closer shave is desired
5. Close the pores - rinse the shaven area with cold water to close the pores
6. Moisturize - after drying the skin, apply a moisturizer to help soothe the skin and prevent irritation; if you must apply an antiperspirant, our prescription-strength products are moisturizing so there is no need for a separate product

Shaving can improve the effectiveness of antiperspirants. Antiperspirants work best when they can come into direct contact with the skin, and hair is a barrier to that direct contact.

Even though sweating associated with hyperhidrosis is not apocrine sweat (that is, the sweat that smells), body hair can trap sweat and bacteria, which can lead to increased odor.