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Shaving is the practice of removing body hair using a
razor.
Shaving is a common method of depilation, and is most commonly used by men
to shave their facial hair, and by women to shave their leg hair and/or pubic hair.
History
Before the advent of razors, humans removed hair using two sea shells to pull
the hair out. Later, around 3000 BCE, when copper tools were developed, humans
developed copper razors. The idea of an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene may have begun at this time, though Egyptian priests may have practiced something similar to this earlier.
Shaving became very popular when Alexander the Great made
shaving popular. He was fastidious about shaving.
The "fad" ended with Roman emperor Hadrian, who let a beard grow to hide a skin
disorder.
Some hold the belief that, once shaving commences, the hair will grow out more thickly. However, this is a myth. The resulting
stubble only makes the hairs seem to be thicker.
Shaving can now be done with an electric razor or a regular, manual one. If a non-electric razor is used, some lathering agent such as soap
or a special shaving cream or
foam is normally applied to the area to be shaved first, to avoid a painful razor burn.
Some men (and very few women) shave their head hair or at least parts of it. Shaved heads can be considered as a form of haircut.
See also
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