Q&A for How to Shave Without Shaving Cream

It makes no difference. If you shave your legs with soap, it will take the same time that it takes to grow back when shaved with shaving cream.

You could, but it would not work as well as the other suggestions.

I think you can. I used it for shaving my pubic hair and it felt great afterward.

Yes, that helps your skin.

Yes. They should work for anybody.

The same as for women, there are no sex-specific hair removal requirements, hairs on legs grow and respond the same whatever your sex. If you don't like the smell (and who does, it stinks), then wash it off properly, as you should do anyway. Don't get hung up on the packaging, any hint it's for women only is nonsense.

Armpit hair grows in a spiral. Its best to shave in an 'X' direction.

Yes, you can, this works well for lubrication.

Yes. Try a thin razor, then wet your armpits in the shower.

If anything I would use baby oil, but you don't have to apply oil to your genitals after shaving if you don't want to.

Just wet the soap and then put it on where you want to shave. A more effective option is conditioner if you do not have shaving cream.

"Always shave with the grain" means that you should shave in the same direction that your hair points.

Yes, shaving cream is designed for you to shave. The options listed in the article are alternatives to shaving cream if you don't have access to it.

Try to apply lotion/moisturizer to your skin often to soften it. This is healthy for your skin and will make it softer and moisturized.

Ingrown hairs are common with shaving, especially for the pelvic/ labia area. The skin does not need to be cut for this to happen; in fact, that would be the exact opposite of an ingrown hair follicle. Wet a folded up washcloth with the hottest water you can stand on your hands. Keep folded. Lay the cloth on your privates where the ingrown hairs are... if too hot, remove immediately and let cool for a minute. Try again. Leave on for 10 minutes, then take it away. If not used near your vagina, you can use ichthyol ointment (drawing salve) that's available at nearly all pharmacies. Put a small dab on any ingrown hair. Wear old undies; ointment will stain.

It could be either and it could be both. It might depend on your preferences and how your body reacts to it, but it would be best to start out with exfoliating after shaving so you don’t dry out your skin.

It might be okay. I’ve sometimes done it when I run out of shaving cream, but it also means you are probably more likely to nick yourself. It won’t exactly have a negative side effect (since nicks heal quickly), but if you don’t want to cut yourself, I recommend using shaving cream/shaving gel.