How To Shave With No Arms: YouTuber Jase Smithyman Reveals How He Approaches Grooming (Using His Feet)
Man With No Arms Shaves His Face Using His Feet
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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It's probably not something you've ever thought about, but if you were born with no arms - how on earth would you go about completing simple tasks like shaving?
Now, a resourceful YouTuber, who was born with a physical disability, has offered an insight into his daily grooming routine where he uses his feet to shave his face.
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In a previous video Jase Smithyman, who is from Auckland, New Zealand, said that a lot of his friends wondered how he managed to do everyday tasks.
So he set up a YouTube channel showing just that.
Wielding a shaving brush between his toes, Smithyman expertly smothers his chin with shaving foam.
He reveals that he uses his big toe as a thumb and his second toe as an index finger, and adds that he "keeps his feet in good condition, otherwise it's kind of gross".
Holding the razor close to the blade end ("for control"), Smithyman begins to shave his face using his feet - and it's pretty impressive.
The 25-year-old adds that it helps that he's "ridiculously flexible" as it helps him to be able to reach the sides of his face.
"This is quite weird too because you get to see me go from 25 to about 13," he jokes.
How To Avoid Shaving Irritation
Assess the condition of your skin(01 of07)
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Avoid shaving areas afflicted by red, irritated bumps from a previous session. "You'll cut the tops off the bumps and irritate them even more," says Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School. Leaving them alone will help you avoid a cycle of pain, especially for tender areas such as the underarms.
Give it time(02 of07)
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Give your skin and hair some time to soften in the shower with the help of heat and moisture. Ample lather from shaving cream will also help hydrate your skin and lubricate the area, which minimizes trauma from the razor, says Mona Gohara, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University.
Make as few passes as possible(03 of07)
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You might often have been advised to shave in the direction of hair growth, but this doesn't actually help you get a close shave. You can go against the direction of growth, but try to make as few passes with your razor as possible.
Treat any irritated skin(04 of07)
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If you notice irritation anywhere, apply a gel or lotion that contains aloe vera or calendula, which can help calm the skin. You can also use an over-the-counter cortisone cream to treat redness and irritation. If conditions are particularly bad, you might find immediate relief by putting cool washcloth compresses over the area, says Dr. Wu. (credit:Shutterstock)
Prevent ingrown hairs with benzoyl peroxide(05 of07)
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If you're prone to ingrown hairs, use a product that contains benzoyl peroxide, which can help skin stay clear. "It has antiseptic properties and prevents hair follicles from becoming inflamed," says Doris Day, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical School.
Don't pick at ingrown hairs or scabs from nicks and bumps(06 of07)
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"People think ingrown hairs have to come out, but when you squeeze you'll only traumatize the hair follicle," Dr. Day says. Instead, apply a small dab of over-the-counter cortisone cream to the inflamed area every day for a couple of days -- but not longer than two weeks, as cortisone creams will thin the skin over time, Dr. Gohara says. In time, your body will expel the ingrown hair naturally. If the skin remains irritated, or the cortisone doesn't treat it, see a dermatologist. (credit:Shutterstock)
Consider laser hair removal(07 of07)
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If you're the right candidate (i.e., you have dark-colored hair, light skin and no suntan), laser hair removal could be a great investment. Even people with darker skin tones who have been told that the procedure might produce dark spots should weigh the benefits and look for skilled providers. "You just have to make sure that the provider has performed laser hair removal on dark-skinned people before," Dr. Gohara says. "If you're in the right hands, they can properly remove the hair without discoloration."