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Shaving is the practice of removing hair with a razor, often for cosmetic purposes. Commonly shaved areas include the face of males and the legs and underarms of females.

Shaving removes the hair down to just below the surface of the skin. It is a temporary technique of hair removal. Most hair grows back within one to three days. Shaving does not cause hair to grow back thicker or darker.

Other temporary methods of hair removal include plucking, waxing and depilation (use of a chemical to dissolve the hair). Techniques for permanent hair removal include electrolysis (electric needles are inserted into hair follicles) and laser hair removal (the elimination of hair with the use of a powerful light beam that targets the areas of skin that cause hair growth).

Although shaving is considered safe and painless, it may cause minor skin irritation, as well as cuts in the skin and ingrown hairs (hairs that have curled back, penetrated the skin and become embedded). Taking certain steps, such as shaving in the direction that the hairs lie, can minimize these risks.