Is It Ever Healthy To Share A Razor With Someone?
You're going out for the night, but you believe your armpits and legs look... unsightly. Unfortunately, you don't have a razor on-hand, so you ask your friend or partner if you can use theirs. It seems convenient, right? If you need to shave in a pinch, it makes more sense to borrow someone's razor than make a trip to the store. The question is, is it healthy? You only need it for a second, so what's the issue? If you don't accidentally cut yourself, then you shouldn't worry about it... right?
Maybe you learned about the consequences of sharing your razor with friends or partners in school, but what about immediate family members? You are blood relatives, after all, so you assume it shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, sharing a razor with anyone, male or female, can have consequences, says Gillette Venus. Let's dive deeper into why this is, and the reasons sharing a razor is never a good idea.
A lack of sanitization can cause health-related issues
First and foremost, sharing a razor — particularly an old razor — with anyone can cause health issues. Because old razors aren't as sharp as they once were, shaving with a dull blade means you have a greater chance of getting cuts, irritation, or ingrown hairs, which can ultimately lead to infection, according to FFS Beauty. Razors harbor a ton of bacteria, so unless your friend is cleaning theirs on the reg, your chance of infection increases significantly (and let's be honest, they probably don't).
On top of that, by sharing a razor, you risk contracting viruses, as there are specific viruses that are passed from person to person via blood. Believe it or not, shaving actually creates small cuts on the skin, so even if you don't think you nicked yourself, you actually did. The chances of contracting a blood virus are slim, but it's still a possibility you should avoid at all costs.
Men and women's razors are designed differently
When you reach for your boyfriend's or husband's razor, you probably aren't thinking about the consequences that might come along with it, but there are more than you think. First and foremost, women's razors are created to cover more surface area, Gillette Venus states, which explains their oval-shaped heads. Men's razors, however, are designed with a square shape since they're meant to cover less surface area — their face. Razor companies also add more lubricant when designing women's razors so there are fewer chances of getting nicked while shaving.
Additionally, women's razors are created with a specific type of handle that makes holding it easier, so it's less likely to slip from your hand and create cuts. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule; if you're in a pinch and your man has a pack of disposable razors, feel free to use one, as long as it's straight from the package and has never been used.