Shaving Advice – Preventing Common Shaving Problems
I’ve got a client who shaves with nothing more than a cheap ten cent razor and plain old soap and his skin always looks great and free of irritation. I hate that guy. Seriously, very few of us are lucky enough to have the type of skin or beard that allow for a perfect shave without some sort of irritation. Many guys are plagued with at least one of the common men’s shaving problems.
Razor Burn
This is probably the most common shaving issue for men.
Razor burn is a condition that pops up after shaving when the skin becomes red, irritated, and inflamed. The problem can be painful and unsightly, but it can be reduced or prevented. First, shaving carefully using proper shaving technique is the key. A shave that’s too rough or too close can cause razor burn.
Using a sharp blade and a high-quality shaving cream are also essential. Dull blades and bad lubrication are huge factors — it’s probably time to ditch that buck fifty can of mentholated shave gel and go with a high-quality shaving cream that’ll provide better lubrication for less drag and razor burn.
Ingrown Hairs
These pesky little bumps are created as the result of shaved hairs becoming trapped and growing back into the follicle. Ouch. Without some sort of treatment, ingrown hairs can lead to scarring and infection. Prevention of ingrown hairs includes shaving properly (and not shaving too closely), deep cleaning the skin on a daily basis, exfoliating the skin every few days, and only shaving when necessary.
You can also try switching to an electric razor (or to a standard razor if you’re using an electric now).
Nicks and Cuts
There is nothing more embarrassing than showing up for work or for a date with bits of toilet paper clinging to your face because you hacked yourself up while shaving. Don’t do that, by the way — there are better ways to stop bleeding.
Now, I’ll give you the best technique in the history of mankind to prevent nicks and cuts while shaving! Wait for it… here it comes… be careful! Yes, be careful. That’s the best advice for preventing nicks and cuts. Most often we cut ourselves because we’re going too fast and not paying attention. So, slow down and watch what you’re doing. Using the proper shaving techniques, great products, and making sure to shave after the shower and hold the skin taut with your free hand will also help. Slowing down and being careful, however, is the best advice I can offer for preventing nicks and cuts.
So, if you’ve read the paragraphs which came before this one, you’ll notice a common theme when it comes to preventing most shaving problems. Slowing down, being careful, using the proper shaving technique and products will all help you prevent most common shaving problems. As guys, most of us generally hate shaving. Yes, it’s a pain in you know what, but our faces are our best asset, so it makes sense to take a little more time, spend a little more cash, and make sure we do it right. Most shaving problems are preventable with just a little extra care.
How to Deal with Ingrown Hair
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How to Prevent Razor Burn – Taking the Sting Out of Shaving
Ouch. We’ve all had to suffer from razor burn at one time or another. Razor burn is a fairly common skin condition that occurs after shaving when the skin becomes inflamed, red, and irritated. It can be painful, unsightly, and especially bothersome for those with sensitive skin. With the right precautions, however, it can be avoided. Here’s how to prevent razor burn.
First, it is important to use the proper shaving technique.
For additional protection, follow my five tips for preventing razor burn.
- Exfoliate. Before shaving (after a shower, of course), scrub your face with a facial scrub or loofah to remove dead skin and also bring out ingrown hairs. Dead skin can cause razor drag and can block the pores and create conditions for ingrown hairs, so it is important for the skin to be as clean as possible prior to shaving.
- Lubricate. Bad lubrication is probably the number one cause of razor burn and skin irritation while shaving. Guys often reach for the cheapest supermarket shaving cream they can find, but a good cream is well worth the extra expense. Think about it. Your face is the first thing people notice about you, so keeping it looking great it a good investment. Use the best shaving cream you can afford instead of a soap or foam. Look for a cream rich in glycerin and coconut oil and free of alcohol. Avoid products with menthol, which can numb the skin and make it hard to determine if you’re experiencing razor drag. For those with especially sensitive skin, a pre-shave oil can work to further reduce razor drag.
- Stay Sharp. Always use sharp blades. A dull blade is one of the leading causes of razor burn. To make sure you’ve always got the sharpest blades possible, replace the cartridge every five to seven days. To preserve the blade, dip your razor in alcohol after the final rinse. Rinse your blade often using cool water to remove shaving cream, oils, and whiskers. The leading cause of dull blades is corrosion caused by soap and water being left on the blade, so taking a little extra time to care for your blade will help keep it sharp and also help you save money on razor blades.
- Go Lightly. Shave with the grain to decrease the odds of irritation and inflamed skin. When shaving, avoid pressing down too hard on the blade and shave using short strokes. Most razors are weighted and balanced, so let the weight of the razor do the work for you. You’ll be surprised how well a razor will work if you don’t apply too much pressure. You should also avoid passing the blade over the same area more than once as each pass shaves off a small layer of skin.
- Soften Up. Moisturize using a good aftershave balm or lotion to keep the skin soft. Look for a balm that contains aloe, shea butter, and glycerin. I also enjoy products that contain lavender oil as this essential oil has a great fragrance and properties that promote healing of the skin. Moisturizing is the one thing men commonly skip, but it is an important part of soothing and healing the skin and preventing future wrinkles. Try to find a moisturizer with an SPF to further help protect the skin.
Follow the tips above to help prevent razor burn, as well as my shaving advice and you’ll be burn free in no time.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
