Quand vaut-il mieux se raser ? Le matin ou le soir ?

Is it better to shave in the morning or in the evening?

Beards are typically only removed with a razor (electric or manual). As for legs, underarms, and bikini areas, waxing is an interesting alternative to shaving. However, due to lack of time or for financial reasons, one might prefer a razor over wax. In these cases, when should one shave?

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Published May 20, 2022, updated on October 4, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 3 min read
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When to shave the beard?

The answer to this question depends on your hair type!

If you have thick, coarse hair that grows back quickly, it's best to shave in the morning. Indeed, if you shave in the evening, the hair will have time to regrow slightly overnight. By early morning, a nascent beard may be visible, undoing your efforts from the night before! Moreover, in the morning, the skin is rested, and blood circulation is generally slower than in the evening: the act of shaving will be less irritating for your skin. However, it is advised to take your time while shaving. The risk of cuts increases tenfold if you rush this practice.

Do note that if you have rather fine beard hair and/or prefer to take more time for your shave, doing so in the evening is not a problem at all! Given that shaving requires time, shaving in the evening will allow you to do it meticulously and thus reduce the risk of cuts.

In all instances, it is recommended to shave after a shower or a hot bath ; the elevated temperature aids in opening the pores to expose the hair and also softens the epidermis, thereby reducing the risk of cuts and micro-lesions.

When should you shave your legs/armpits/bikini area?

Regarding the shaving of these areas, it is generally recommended to perform this practice in the evening, before bedtime. Indeed, evening shaving could be one of the keys to keeping these areas smooth for longer because during sleep, the hairs retract into their follicles. Thus, the hairs that were not cut close enough during shaving would be less visible in the morning. However, we would like to clarify that there is no scientific evidence on this matter!

Note: Similar to shaving the beard, it is recommended to shave these areas after a shower or a hot bath for better efficiency and to minimize cuts.

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