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The shaving experience for a girl can be made easier by purchasing a foaming gel and good quality triple blade razor.

1. First, everyone knows that soaking the area to be shaved in warm water will help the hair release better but few take the time to rinse the razor in cold water to keep the blades rigid. A disposable cup will work fine placed on the side of the tub. If a tub isn't available, turning the shower pressure down will conserve water yet have the same effect. Three to five minutes should be sufficient to soak the legs. Water in the tub doesn't necessarily need to cover the legs; the girl can take turns draping a couple of wet washcloths over different sections.

2. Keep in mind that the genital area may be sensitive to highly fragranced shaving products as well as bubble bath and beads. A magazine article even recommended using hair conditioner for shaving the legs. Aloe moisturizer like the after-sun variety can also be used. Soap normally dries the skin and isn't recommended.

3. When it comes to applying pressure on the skin in small strokes, girls may be hesitant to apply enough pressure for fear of cutting themselves. Encouragement can be given to not move the razor in the same direction as the blade so as to prevent cuts and nicks. Showing them by example may help them get a good tempo and overlap strokes so that all the hair is removed. Most of the tilting head razors actually work better when the handle is straight up with the head tilted against the skin. For the legs, it works better when the razor is pulled in an upward direction.

4. Underarms may present a harder challenge and require the razor to be used in many directions to get into creases. Shaving the underarms in front of the mirror may save the eyeballs from being strained.

5. Aloe lotion can soothe just-shaved legs. Health care professionals now warn against using lotions containing mineral oil or petroleum products. Better choices include glycerin, cocoa butter, or aloe. For underarms, girls should be especially careful not to apply regular antiperspirants immediately after shaving as ingredients such as aluminum can be absorbed directly into the blood stream. Many women, especially those with breast cancer in their families, have opted to use the salt crystal deodorants rather than the regular antiperspirants for this reason. Studies have shown a strong correlation between aluminum and Alzheimer's Disease. Other sources of aluminum can be obtained from eating or drinking beverages or food from a can or taking aluminum-containing antacids.

Razor blades should be replaced as often as every 3 shavings. Teaching them to shave may actually be easier than teaching them to rinse the hair from the tub afterwards.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Hollifield.
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