Louise Thomas-Minns is a skin specialist and therapist

Q. I have noticed after I have shaved, that I have spots and redness around my neck in the shirt collar area.
What is this and is there anything I can do to help?

A. It’s so nice to have a male perspective on skincare so thank you for asking this question as I suspect we can help a lot of men out there who suffer with this problem.

What you are experiencing is trauma to the skin as a result of the regular act of shaving but you don’t need to put up with this.
This problem will be exasperated by the heat and friction caused by wearing a shirt and the spots are likely to be ingrown hairs that have been trapped under the skin by dead cells and oil.
Below is my guide to how to shave for improved skin health and a closer shave.

• Always gently wash the face first with a soap free wash and warm the skin by holding a clean wash cloth on the area to be shaved for 2 minutes before.
• If you wet shave then change your blades regularly and if you dry shave then ensure your shaver is clean and oiled on a regular basis.
• Avoid using shave foams, gels and soaps as these are heavily alkaline based, great for softening the hair but awful for skin health since they strip away protective oils and moisture causing ‘shaving rash’ and leading to spotty outbreaks.
• I recommend MD Formulations sensitive facial cleanser (£24.00 www.u-treatments.co.uk) to my male clients since they can wash and shave with this. Containing Glycolic acid this product will sweep the follicles clean and prevent the ingrowing hairs and help you get you a close shave.
• Hydrate, soothe and protect after your shave with MD Formulations moisture defense spf 20 (£35.00 www.u-treatments.co.uk) This lightweight formula will guard your skin without leaving an oily residue.
• Don’t do a Macaulay Culkin and apply any aftershave or Eau De Toilette to your face. They have a high alcohol content and aside from causing you to scream into the mirror, will dry and irritate your face.

Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC CIDESCO BABTAC is a skin specialist and therapist with over 12 year’s experience. She is the owner of U Treatments, a beauty business that brings the salon to you and is about to launch a London skin clinic. She lecturers in, and is an NVQ assessor part time, in beauty therapy.
Her specialism in the skin and ingredient technology requires her to be a regular guest on Radio Norfolk and write for some national periodicals.
Visit www.u-treatments.co.uk or call Louise on 07810 872 633 for details of her bespoke treatment menu.