To get the best possible shave, you should hydrate and exfoliate the skin before using a razor.

Likewise, ensure that you are shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Using a lubricant like shaving cream is also a must.

Woman holding razor

If you don’t have that on hand, there areshaving cream substitutes you’ve never thought of.

This includes coconut oil, body wash, and hair conditioner.

In addition, moisturizing before and after shaving will reduce itchiness and other possible discomforts.

Woman shaving underarms in mirror

However, the golden rule when it comes to shaving is to always use your own razor.

However, you should think twice before doing this.

As Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D.

Woman shaving her legs

put it, “Sharing razors is a major no-no from a dermatologist’s perspective” (viaShape).

Sharing a razor can have major consequences

So what’s the big deal with sharing razors?

Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., explained toWell+ Goodthat it can cause major health concerns.

This compromises the skin barrier, allowing bacteria like staph, viruses, and more to get in.

If you share a razor, you’re more likely to develop folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles.

In this case, the skin may appear red, itchy, and bumpy.

At-home folliculitis treatments include applying warm compresses on the skin and using over-the-counter antibiotic ointments.

Other infections or viruses resulting from sharing a razor include yeast, fungi, herpes, and warts.

If you shave daily, experts recommend you change your blade every one to two weeks.

If you shave every other day, change it every two to three weeks.

And if you shave twice a week, changing it every four to six weeks is fine.

Stick to using a new, clean razor that’s all your own for the safest shaving experience.