After Shaves
After shaving off their beards or moustaches, most men apply lotions or gel-like substances on their faces. These substances are called after shaves. After shaves are personal hygiene products that are especially made to protect the face after shaving. Men usually use cotton pads in applying after shaves on their face to prevent the oil from their fingers from greasing their faces. After shaves are available in lotion, balm, gel, and liquid forms.
The features of after shaves may be summarised into four functions: as astringents, disinfectants, moisturisers, and perfumes.
* Astringents
As astringents, after shaves raise the pH of the skin after the application of the alkaline soaps used in shaving. The main purpose of maintaining the natural acidity of the skin is to retain its smoothness.
* Disinfectants
After shaves, especially the alcohol-based varieties, are also natural disinfectants. They help prevent infection and irritation by thoroughly cleansing the skin. After shaves are also used for closing skin pores, which are opened through warm water rinsing.
*Moisturisers
Most after shaves also have moisturising properties. With their smoothening and softening capabilities, after shaves are perfect for men with relatively dry skin.
* Perfumes
Another impressive benefit of using after shaves after shaving off facial hair is their natural fragrance. The natural ingredients used in making after shaves contribute to the overall fragrance of the product. With after shaves, men can still smell good even without wearing colognes or perfumes.
Who used the first after shaves?
The concept of using after shaves can be credited to the ancient Egyptians. Before wrapping soon-to-be mummies in tight linen bandages, Egyptian embalmers use after shave-like substances to clean and decolourise dead bodies. They do this before soaking the dead bodies in natron solution.
What are the different types of after shaves?
The two basic types of after shaves are the alcohol-based and the non-alcohol variety. The alcohol-based variety of after shaves, which causes a slight sting upon application, have natural astringent and antiseptic properties. Men who are not fond of the stinging side-effect of alcohol-based after shaves prefer the non-alcohol variety. The natural astringents used in this type of after shaves are witch hazel, oatmeal, bayberry, alum, balaustines, and yarrow. The non-alcohol variety of after shaves usually contains seaweed or aloe extracts for a more soothing feel.
Where can I buy after shaves?
You can buy after shaves and other personal grooming products in supermarkets, convenience stores, beauty shops, and drug stores. Some chemists now employ an online operation that allows you to order prescribed medications and personal hygiene products via their websites. After shaves are also available in most online retail stores, auction sites, and online shopping stores.
