According to dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., all skin types are fine candidates for facial shaving. Just note that if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you want to be extra careful to avoid any irritation. That said, make sure to only shave your skin with product, as “shaving dry can likely cause more irritation, nicks, and cuts,” Dr. Pierre says. He recommends using a shave gel because it creates a layer between the blade and skin, allowing your razor to glide more easily. “Follow up with a moisturizing and soothing after-shave to make the experience as comfortable as possible,” Dr. Pierre adds. You can shave as often as you need as long as you’re not finding irritation on the skin.

And no, shaving your face will not make hair grow back thicker or darker! According to Dr. Pierre, “the razor cuts the hair about mid-shaft, at its thickest portion,” he explains. “So when the hair grows in, it might appear to be thicker, but the hair diameter itself actually doesn’t change and neither does the color.”

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