If you choose to remove hair from your body one of the quickest and most inexpensive ways to do this is to shave at home.
It's usually pretty painless - unless you cut yourself or end up with razor burn.
The latter can be pretty nasty and uncomfortable, but how can you avoid it on your legs and bikini area?
If this is something you struggle with, then fear not, as an expert has kindly shared her top tips for getting a smooth shave every time and avoiding razor burns and all you need to do is make a few small changes to your regular shaving routine.
Susie Bridgeman-Sutton, beauty specialist at Thunderbird Skin has shared the secrets to a 'perfectly' smooth shave with The Mirror.
Her first top tip is to ensure you exfoliate before you shave, to get rid of dead skin cells so they don't build up on your razor and prevent you from getting a close shave.
She explained: "Exfoliating is also key to avoiding pesky ingrown hairs and leaving your skin looking radiant.
"You can either use exfoliating gloves or in-shower body scrubs to help polish the skin. You should also use shaving cream or foam with excellent slip, additions to help are bentonite and soy.
"Exfoliation rejuvenates new cells leaving a healthy glow to the body. Even a couple of days after you shave, using an exfoliator to remove dead skin will make it easier for hair to come through and keep ingrown hairs at bay.
"We would never advise using particles to exfoliate any skin as physical exfoliation using coffee grounds, shells, etc inflicts too much damage on your skin with microtears. Not only will these lead to the early onset of fine lines and laxity, but they're a perfect invitation to irritation pre-shave. We would only advise fruit enzymes or acids with nothing harsher than a clay or a soft microfibre mitt.
"If you are a beginner, stick to the natural exfoliators paired with skin-friendly ingredients such as cocoa butter which helps to polish away dead skin with ease. Never be too harsh to avoid irritation, and move in a circular motion to increase blood circulation."
The expert goes on to say that the biggest mistake people make when shaving is going in the opposite direction of their hair growth.
This is a "no-no" as "the blunt-tipped end of your hairs can then grow back into the skin, rather than up and out."
Susie continues: "To avoid razor burns/bumps, only shave in the same direction that your hair grows.
"If you are prone to these burns, use a good quality balm, look for soothing actives such as colloidal, oatmeal, panthenol, allantoin and/or niacinamide and avoid fragrance."
And another big mistake to avoid is incorrectly storing your razor between uses.
"Whilst you might think it's harmless to keep your razor in the shower in between uses, it can cause you damage. Keeping your shaver in a wet environment will increase your risk of bacterial or fungal infection," the pro adds.
"After you shave, immediately rinse your razor well with warm water, pat it dry with a clean towel and store it in a spot where it won't get wet. This removes any hairs caught in the razor and keeps it clean until you next shave.
"Humidity can cause shavers to rust, it's important to keep it cool in between uses. If your blades are facing down in a mix of soapy water, it will increase the risk of infection and will reduce the longevity of the razor. After use, tap the razor against the edge of the sink to dislodge any remaining debris before patting it dry. You can even use a shaver cover or the original blade protector over the blade to keep it safe, this is also a must during travel."
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email courtney.pochin@mirror.co.uk
