Although unsightly and sometimes painful this is a common occurrence that can be avoided.

Causes - Ingrown hairs occur when the hair is cut off beneath the skin's surface, gets traps inside the follicle and then curves back on itself and grows into the surrounding skin. This can irritate the skin and cause a red, lumpy reaction, made worse next time you shave and sometimes leading to infection.

How to prevent them - Exfoliate and moisturise regularly. The former to remove dead skin cells and release trapped hairs, and the latter to keep skin soft and allow hairs to grow through the surface more easily. Always shave after a hot shower with a sharp razor in the direction of the hair growth so you don't distort the follicles. Don't stretch the skin tight while shaving to avoid too close a shave.

How to deal with them - soak a towel in hot water and put it on the skin for a few minutes to soften the hairs. Using sterilised tweezers, loosen the end of the hair and leave it for a couple of days before plucking so the skin can heal back around the hair shaft so that it can grow correctly in future. Keep the area clean and dry to minimise future infection.

There are two types of shaving rash; one caused by ingrowing hairs (see above) and the other due to a persistent infection in the follicles themselves. Some key ways to avoid the latter are:

• Always wait at least ten minutes or so after you have woken up so the 'puffiness' in your face can go down.
• Have a hot shower and then prepare your beard with a good quality foam or gel to soften the hair and make sure bristles can be cut without pulling and irritating the skin.
• Use a sharp razor - blunt or dull blades can increase irritation
• Shave in the direction of the hair growth - shaving against the grain of the beard causes friction when the razor passes over the skin.
• Apply a soothing balm afterwards to calm the area and help control any irritation. Titanium coated blades can also help to reduce irritation, as can power razors such as Quattro Titanium Energy which gently pulse to reduce the pressure you need to apply to the skin when shaving.

If your skin is really bad, you could stop shaving for a while to give it a chance to heal itself before trying shaving again. If it still doesn't settle then it's worth asking your doctor about antibiotic treatment.

Shaving is one of the most popular methods of hair removal as it's so portable, instant and cheap. Razors can be used to remove hair from the legs, underarms, back or the pubic area – but as with the face, shaving against the growth direction can cause ingrown hairs or irritation so proper shave rules still apply.

In the same way that bacteria can be transferred from one person to another, it can also be transferred from one area of the body to another, so use a clean, sharp razor and rinse it in warm water after use to ensure it's clean and hygienic for the next time you use it.

And if you can't see or reach the area properly, don't attempt to shave it yourself!

If you suffer from acne, shaving can be a real pain in both senses of the word, and your daily routine will need extra care. For a more comfortable shave, apply good shaving practice but always shave lightly so that you don't cut into the blemishes. Aim for less irritation rather than the closest finish.

Wash the face with warm water and a gentle soap to soften the skin and open the pores or warm the face with a hot wet flannel for 30 seconds. Then use a good quality shaving gel or foam that doesn't contain alcohol and is designed for sensitive skin – using this with a shaving brush will help to lock in moisture and raise the facial hairs. Instead of aftershave, use a deep cleaning facial cleanser. It will have the same effect but will also help kill the bacteria that cause the acne.

Power razors such as Quattro Titanium Energy can also help as the gentle pulses mean you need to apply less pressure to the skin when shaving.

As with your scalp, your chin is still vulnerable to UV rays – even if it is covered with hair. How much UV light penetrates will depend upon how your beard is styled as well as the thickness of your hair type. In fact, most sun damage occurs during every day routines so you should be using a daily moisturiser with an SPF already incorporated.

For protection against stronger rays, try using a clear lotion or dry oil spray which are generally easier to apply on top of any type of body hair – and won't leave the tell tale white marks where it hasn't been rubbed in.

If you've recently restyled your beard or shaved it off, remember that the skin underneath will be extra vulnerable, so up your UV protection.