Top 10 Shaving Tips
Warning - this is the long answer - but isn't a couple of minutes of reading worth it? After all, your face is the first thing they notice......
- Make Sure Your Beard is Thoroughly Wet
One of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Showering before shaving is the ideal way to ensure you beard is properly moistened. If a shower is not possible, rinse your face and then apply a warm moistened towel to your face for at least a couple of minutes. This is the technique that barbers use. Never shave cold or apply shaving products to a dry face - this is one of the leading causes of razor burn and shaving rash.
- Use a Quality Shaving Cream
Use a shaving cream that has a high concentration of lubricants (eg silicone) and moisturizers. The best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather and do not foam up like the cheaper drug store brands. The less "foaming" in the shave cream the better, as it is what is in contact with the skin and beard that matters - all else is wasted. Less resistance, less irritation and less nicks also mean a longer lasting blade! While the primary function of the shaving cream is to lubricate your face so that the razor will glide smoothly and effortlessly across the surface, it also serves to lock the moisture into the whiskers, keeping them soft and upright, primed for the cut. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting, so that the beard is as soft and wet as possible.
- A Shaving Brush is One of the Best Tools One of the best tools you can use to achieve the optimum shave is a shaving brush (as top barbers do). A shaving brush
does a couple of things. First, it helps raise the hair so that a
closer cut is possible. Second, it helps create a rich creamy lather
with the shaving cream that stays close to the skin. And, finally, it
helps remove dead skin cells (exfoliation) which reduces the chance of
blemishes, razor bumps and also helps the skin look and feel smooth and
healthy. Always look for a shaving brush with bristles that
have the right balance between softness (to create a rich creamy lather
that stays close to the skin) and resistance to raise the beard (making a
closer cut easier!)
- Apply the shaving cream using the brush in a circular motion
ending in an upward stroke to help lift the beard up and away from the
face.
- Use a Quality Razor and Change the Blades
Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. Be sure the blade is sharp. You're not just cutting off hair, you're also scraping off up to two layers of surface skin when you shave. A dull blade is more traumatic to the skin, making your face feel scratchy and look blotchy - a dull razor is one of the contributing factors to razor burn and shaving rash. Depending on the toughness of your beard, change the blade somewhere between every three and every ten shaves, if you shave every day. Two weeks is too long to go without changing blades. Regardless of the number of shaves, if the blade becomes dull, ditch it.
As to which brand of razor to use - we think you can't go wrong with any of the Gillette Mach series. Of course there are very high quality and expensive razors available at specialty retailers that you may want to try.
Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin gunk. The use of hot water here is to help lubricate, has nothing to do with "killing bacteria."
- Use the Razor Properly
Ideally shave in the direction of the beard growth. Start with the sides, then the moustache area and last the chin. The chin hairs are the toughest, so this allows them the most time to soften under the shave cream.
Shaving against the direction of hair growth gives a closer shave, but has two drawbacks:A. It's a good way to donate blood, and
To avoid these shaving problems, again, shave "with the grain" (that is, in the direction your hair grows). Each person's facial hair has its own growth pattern. If you are unsure of the direction of your beard, let it grow for a day or two and you'll see it.
B. You run a high risk of cutting off a hair below skin level, causing an ingrown hair (razor bumps) - the whisker grows into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the pore, resulting in inflammation and possible infection.
You also need to let the razor do the work - do not press too hard or it will cause razor bumps (ingrown hair)and razor burn. By the way, you do NOT need special razor bump products - 99% of the razor bump problem will be solved by not pressing too hard, shaving with the grain and using a good shaving cream.
- If you want an even Closer Shave
If you wish to achieve an even closer shave (as many barbers do) apply some more lather from your brush (add more cream if necessary) to the areas you wish to shave again. Keep everything moist. This is one of the extra advantages of using a brush. For most guys, re-shaving certain areas with the grain should do the job. Professional barbers, by the way, usually first shave with the grain, and then re-shave going sideways - but they're trained professionals!
But, don't overshave. Too much shaving will cause skin irritation and the dreaded razor burn and shaving rash.
Rinse the blade thoroughly before you put it away. (The water temperature isn't going to have any impact on bacteria; you're rinsing the blade to get rid of hairs, shaving cream, oils, and gunk, not to kill bacteria. You'd need to boil the razor for that or rinse it in alcohol, which is not necessary.) After rinsing, shake the razor, but do not wipe the blade with a towel or tissue - that will just make it dull faster.
- Cleanse and Soothe After Shaving
After shaving, when the skin is most vulnerable, rinse the face with warm water and use a facial wash that has a high concentration of tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic that is ideal to help cleanse and protect from spots and shaving rash) and witch hazel (for its soothing, healing and astringent properties).
- Rinse with the coolest water that is comfortable and pat dry with a clean towel. (Don't rub! Just pat)
- Finish off with an After Shave Lotion or Balm.
Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin. There is no other regular activity that does this, which is why it is so important to use a good quality moisturizer after shaving. An after shave lotion, designed as an after shave balm and moisturizer in one, is the ideal way to replace lost moisture and soothe the skin. And, be sure to use one made just for guys - these formulas are designed so that they are not greasy, absorb quickly and dry with a matte finish so that your face doesn't look shiny. Typically moisturizers made for women are too greasy as men tend to have not only thicker skin but also oilier skin than women due to men's larger sebaceous glands. The best after shave lotions not only replace lost moisture and soothe, but also have ingredients that will cool and refresh the skin.
How to Prevent & Avoid Razor Burn?
The 5 key mistakes that cause Razor Burn and how to avoid them.
A smooth close shave makes you look and feel good. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to get the dreaded "razor burn" side effect from improper shaving. Not only does it create that itchy stingy feeling, it looks terrible.
What is Razor Burn?
Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin. Normally, that's a good thing as this exfoliation takes away the dull looking outer layers and promotes fresh new skin growth. It's one of the keys to healthy looking skin. (think of the billions women spend on cosmetics that help with exfoliation - guys don't have to do that - shaving naturally exfoliates.) But where it all goes wrong is when one or more components of the shaving process is done incorrectly or skipped. Razor Burn can look like a small red rash, feature bumps or even cause infected pimples or blisters. Razor burn can also itch severely, making the skin very uncomfortable for several days. Mild cases can result in a couple of hours of discomfort and reddish skin.
The 5 Key mistakes that cause razor burn:
- Insufficient pre-shave prep.
- Using the wrong kind of shaving cream lubricant.
- Using a dull razor or the wrong razor.
- Incorrect shaving technique.
- Skipping important steps after shaving or using the wrong products.
How to prevent Razor Burn once and for all
Proper Pre-Shave Prep
Make Sure Your Beard is Thoroughly Wet
One of the keys to a smooth comfortable shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Showering before shaving is the ideal way to ensure you beard is properly moistened. If a shower is not possible, rinse your face and then apply a warm moistened towel to your face for at least a couple of minutes. Never shave cold or apply shaving products to a dry face - this is one of the leading causes of razor burn and shaving rash.
Use a Quality Shaving Cream
Use a shaving cream that has a high concentration of lubricants (eg silicones) and moisturizers. The best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather and do not foam up like the cheaper drug store brands. The less "foaming" in the shave cream the better, as it is what is in contact with the skin and beard that matters - all else is wasted. You want as much lubrication as possible between your skin and the razor. And, it has to have great "slip" so that the razor will glide smoothly and effortlessly across your skin. The best shave creams also lock the moisture into the whiskers, keeping them soft and upright, primed for the cut. Less resistance, less irritation, less scraping and fewer nicks. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting, so that the beard is as soft and wet as possible.
A Shaving Brush is a great tool to help fight razor burn One of the best tools you can use to help prevent razor burn is a shaving brush. A shaving brush does a couple of things. First, it helps raise the hair so that a closer cut is possible. Second, it helps create a rich creamy lather with the shaving cream that stays close to the skin. And, finally, it helps remove dead skin cells (exfoliation) which reduces the chance of blemishes, & razor bumps. Always look for a shaving brush with bristles that have the right balance between softness (to create a rich creamy lather that stays close to the skin) and resistance to raise the beard (making a closer cut easier!)
Apply the shaving cream using the brush in a circular motion ending in an upward stroke to help lift the beard up and away from the face.
Proper Pre-Shave Prep is Where the majority of the Shaving Battle is Won or Lost!
Make sure the Razor Blade is sharp and consider a different razor
Use a Quality Razor and Change the Blades
Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. . A dull razor blade is more traumatic to the skin and is one of the contributing factors to razor burn and shaving rash. While it might seem counter intuitive, think of it like this: Have you ever cut a tomato with a dull knife? Instead of a clean cut, you end up tearing and mangling it. Now if the tomato were your face, a dull blade creates a lot of resistance and drag, pulling and tearing whiskers instead cutting them cleanly. Depending on the toughness of your beard, change the blade somewhere between every three and every ten shaves. Regardless of the number of shaves, if the blade becomes dull, ditch it.
What's the best razor to use to prevent razor burn and skin irritation?
As to which brand of razor to use - we think you can't go wrong with any of the Gillette Mach series. However, we think the mach 3 series if fine, the later line-up is over kill (where does it end? 5 blades? 12 blades?)
If you still get razor burn and skin irritation after following all the steps outlined here, you may want to try a Safety Razor. Many guys swear by double-edge safety razors for finally solving their razor burn and skin irritation issues. The single blade provides a clean cut and is not followed by multiple blades that many claim can chew up your skin while cutting your whiskers. And, the blades are cheap (around $.40 a piece for the highest quality blade), so changing them frequently won't make you cringe at the expense like mach cartridges can. You can get a high end safety razor new or find them on e-bay for a fraction of the cost.
Use the Razor Properly
Ideally shave in the direction of the beard growth ("with the grain").
Start with the sides, then the moustache area and last the chin. The chin hairs are the toughest, so this allows them the most time to soften under the shave cream.
Shaving against the direction of hair growth gives a closer shave, but has three drawbacks:A. It's a good way to donate blood
To avoid these shaving problems & skin irritations, again, shave "with the grain" (that is, in the direction your hair grows). Each person's facial hair has its own growth pattern. If you are unsure of the direction of your beard, let it grow for a day or two and you'll see it.
B. It's the leading cause of razor burn, skin rash & skin irritation, and
C. You run a high risk of cutting off a hair below skin level, causing an ingrown hair (razor bumps) - the whisker grows into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the pore, resulting in inflammation and possible infection.
Do not apply too much pressure & use short strokes
Let the razor do the work- do not press too hard. The weight of your razor is sufficient to cut the hair. You should also try using shorter strokes to help prevent you from pressing too hard (as guys sometimes do when using long strokes).
Rinse the blade frequently
Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin gunk that could interfere with making a clean cut. The use of hot water here is to help lubricate, has nothing to do with "killing bacteria."
Do not over shave the same area
After the first pass, you may want to reshave certain areas - but be cautious. Too much shaving over the same area is a contributing factor to razor burn. So here's what you do if you want to achieve an even closer shave: apply some more lather from your brush (add more cream if necessary) to the areas you wish to shave again. Keep everything moist. This is one of the extra advantages of using a brush. For most guys, re-shaving certain areas with the grain should do the job. Professional barbers, by the way, usually first shave with the grain, and then re-shave going sideways. Rinse the blade thoroughly before you put it away. (The water temperature isn't going to have any impact on bacteria; you're rinsing the blade to get rid of hairs, shaving cream, oils, and gunk, not to kill bacteria. You'd need to boil the razor for that or rinse it in alcohol, which is not necessary.) After rinsing, shake the razor, but do not wipe the blade with a towel or tissue - that will just make it dull faster.
Cleanse and Soothe After Shaving
Clean your face properly after shaving
After shaving, when the skin is most vulnerable, rinse the face with warm water and use a facial wash that has a high concentration of tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic that is ideal to help cleanse and protect from spots and shaving rash) and witch hazel (for its soothing, healing and astringent properties).
Rinse with cool water
Rinse with the coolest water that is comfortable to help close the pores and pat dry with a clean towel. (Don't rub! Just pat)
Finish off with an Aftershave Moisturizer.
Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin. There is no other regular activity that does this, which is why it is so important to use a good quality moisturizer after shaving. An after shave moisturizer, designed as an after shave balm and moisturizer in one, is the ideal way to replace lost moisture and soothe the skin. And, be sure to use one made just for guys - these formulas are designed so that they are not greasy, absorb quickly and dry with a matte finish so that your face doesn't look shiny. Typically mositurizers made for women are too greasy as men tend to have not only thicker skin but also oiler skin than women due to men's larger sebaceous glands. The best aftershave moisturizers not only replace lost moisture and soothe, but also have ingredients that will cool and refresh the skin.
I have razor burn now, how do I treat & cure it for relief?
If you're reading this because you currently suffering from razor burn and want to learn about remedies to treat & cure it for relief, here's what you need to know and do:
- Moisturize - look for a soothing after-shave balm. Avoid all alcohol-based aftershaves.
- Apply witch hazel. It's inexpensive and has soothing, healing properties.
- Consider not shaving for a few days. This will let the skin heal itself and avoid making the existing razor burn worse by continually shaving over it. Your skin needs a rest and time to heal - the razor burn and rash should go away in a few days. Then, when you're ready to shave again, razor burn is easily prevented through the steps outlined above.
Source: www.men-uusa.com
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