A good shave requires an art. If this is your first shave, or if you've been doing this for years but are never sure if you're doing it right, knowing how to prep your face, shave properly, and take care of your skin will help you get the best shave. nice, clean and tidy.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Your Face
Step 1. Choose the right razor
You should consider the roughness of your beard, the texture of your skin, your preferred shaving method, and other details when choosing a razor. In general, for men with bushy beards who have more sensitive skin, it is best to use a traditional double-bladed razor.
- Electric razors are convenient and time-saving, require less preparation than traditional razors, and are slightly gentler for sensitive skin. However, for some hair types, electric shavers tend to leave an uneven or residue on the face. Whereas traditional razors work well on all skin types and for all hair types.
- People who experience irritation while shaving can use a specially designed razor, usually marketed for men with coarse hair. The key is that the razor should not cut too close, so that the hair doesn't grow into the skin. The use of special pre-shave liquids or powders, and post-shave treatment of irritated shaving marks can also help.
- If you have acne and need to shave the area, try using an electric shaver and a razor that has a safety device on the edge of the blade to see which is more comfortable. Soften your hair with warm soap and water and then shave as lightly as possible.
Step 2. Keep your shaving tools ready, clean and sharp
Shaving with a dull razor can cause cuts and it can irritate the skin very much. Shave only with a clean, sharp razor.
Before you shave, you should generally fill a basin with clean, cold water that will be used to rinse the blades. Hot water will only expand and dull the blades, so use cold water for your razor
Step 3. Trim your beard first
If you have a bushy beard, it's important to use scissors or a trimmer to trim your beard as short as possible before shaving with a razor. Electric trimmers are the best choice for this purpose. Remove the harness and trim your beard completely.
Never lather up a thick beard and try to shave it straight away with a razor. It will be very painful and ineffective to shave the beard
Step 4. Wash your face with a face wash that contains exfoliating ingredients
To prepare your skin for shaving, it's best to start with as clean skin as possible to avoid infection and irritation while shaving. Use a face wash that contains natural exfoliating ingredients and wash your face with warm soapy water. Dry.
Step 5. Apply shaving oil
Shaving oil is used to nourish the skin and lubricate the razor when the blade is rubbed against your face. This is a different product to shaving cream. Put a few drops of shaving oil in the palm of your hand and rub it over your beard before applying a hot towel and shaving cream, which will allow the razor to do its job evenly and comfortably. This will help to reduce shaving rashes.
Step 6. Open your pores with heat
Traditionally, barbers would cover a man's face with a hot towel to open the pores and soften the beard for a cleaner and more comfortable shave. Nowadays, some people like to use hot washcloths to achieve the same effect. The heat and humidity will help soften your beard (if you have one) and make the beard hair stand on end, opening up your pores.
Be careful that the water is not too hot. Hot water will relax the skin and remove moisture from the skin. The towels you use should have a comfortable warm temperature, not steaming heat
Step 7. Use a brush to apply shaving cream, if possible
While it may seem old-fashioned, applying shaving cream with a brush will go a long way in softening your beard and exfoliating your skin. It also helps to make the beard more manageable when you shave.
- If you're short on shaving cream, gel or foam, use a shaving conditioner or special oil. Let the lubricant soak into your face for a minute until it can strengthen its effect. Avoid using bar soaps, as they can leave residue on the blades, which can dull the edges and eventually cause rust even on stainless steel blades. If you have to, you can use liquid soap as these are formulated differently.
- Natural shaving creams work better than glycerin-based creams or gels, which tend to dry out the skin and irritate it. Choose a shaving cream made from natural oils and other ingredients for the best and most comfortable shave.
Part 2 of 3: Shaving
Step 1. Start shaving while your pores are still open and your face is still warm
After you finish washing your face, you should start shaving immediately before your pores close and your skin is still wet. This is the best way to get the neatest and most comfortable shave. Don't wait while doing another morning ritual. Shave immediately.
Step 2. Use your free hand to pull your skin tight
Hold the razor in your dominant hand and use the other hand to pull tight against your skin and shave as smooth as you can go. This is especially useful when shaving around areas that are difficult to shave, such as the nasolabial folds between your mouth and nose, and your jawline.
Step 3. Shave in the direction of hair growth
Run your hands through your facial hair. One direction will make it stand, and the other will make it flat. You have to shave it in the second direction. Keep the flat side of the blade almost parallel to your face to shave off most of the hair.
Use short, light, downward strokes as you shave to keep the blades sweeping away the shaving oil while shaving cleanly
Step 4. Shave the small sections thoroughly before moving on to other sections
Your shaving motion should be slow, comfortable, and thorough. Shaving is not something to be done in a hurry while you are driving to work. Start with one side of your face and work your way up to the other side, working small sections at a time and shaving off that area completely before moving on to the other. This will save you time and reduce your frustration if you are doing it for the first time.
Step 5. Rinse your knife frequently
Shake it into a sink filled with water and tap the razor against the side of the sink to remove bits of beard hair. It is very important to keep the double-edged razor clear of build-up of shaving cream and a bit of hair, otherwise it will be much less effective at shaving your face.
Step 6. Rinse your face with warm water
Run your fingers across your face to look for rough areas that you might have missed. Look for these areas near your sideburns, around your mouth and near your nostrils.
Apply shaving cream and gently brush the blade in the direction of hair growth, not in the opposite direction. Pay particular attention to the hair on your neck and jaw, which generally doesn't grow straight up or down, but in multiple directions that your shaving motion can miss
Part 3 of 3: Ending the Shaving Process
Step 1. Rinse your face with cold water and pat dry with a clean towel
Applying cold water as soon as possible after shaving is the best way to close your pores and complete the shave. Cold water also helps the wound to close and stop bleeding.
If you injure your skin, you can apply witch hazel extract to treat the wound and prevent shaving rashes. Then apply small pieces of kitchen paper or damp toilet paper to the wound that is still bleeding
Step 2. Apply a non-alcoholic shaving balm
A shaving balm based on aloe vera and tea tree oil can help prevent dry skin and shaving rashes. Use a natural product to keep your skin moisturized and healthy, take a small amount and rub it thoroughly all over your beard area.
Do you remember the scene in Home Alone where he slapped post-shave fluid on his face and screamed? Yes. The fluid is painful. But only if the liquid is alcohol-based. It's important to avoid alcohol-based post-shave fluids, which can dry out your skin and irritate your face a lot
Step 3. Clean your shaving kit
Rinse and dry your equipment thoroughly, and store in a dry place. Clean utensils will protect your freshly shaved pores from bacteria and infection. Change the razor if needed. A dull razor will make your face feel rough and sore, and a shaving rash is more likely.
Step 4. Shave frequently for good skin
Shaving every few days can help keep your beard from getting too thick and prevent further shaving from irritating it. The more consistently you shave, the better the quality of your shave, and the better it is for your skin. Shaving will remove dead skin and prevent pores from clogging, especially if you maintain good hygiene after shaving.
Use a styptic pencil if you are prone to scratches and cuts. When using this pencil, simply moisten it and spread it gently over the entire wound area. The medicinal ingredients in this pencil will narrow the blood vessels near the wound and keep the blood from flowing out
Tips
- If you use a mirror to shave in the shower, rub a little shampoo on the mirror to prevent it from fogging up.
- For extra thick beards, you can use a warm cloth compress on your face to soften it in addition to taking a warm bath before shaving. Change the blades if necessary, as razors will dull faster than shaving a thin beard.
- Some men prefer to wash their faces and even shave while in the bathroom. The steam from the shower will help prepare the face and beard, and the shower rinse on the face after shaving will soothe any minor cuts that may occur. Try doing this to see if it results in a smoother shave, although not having a mirror available may be a hindrance.
- Some people will find that a very sharp razor (the standard) and only warm water running over the face, i.e. with the shower in the bathroom, can get a much better shave even without using soap, oil or shaving cream.
- With a towel over your head, place your face over a sink or large bowl of hot water, to create a facial sauna. Do this process for 10 minutes and then start shaving. You'd be surprised how well this process will help reduce shaving rashes and cuts.
- The blade stroke should be straight, with the edge of the blade continuing to be perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. Because razors are sharp, moving the edge of the blade parallel to the skin [even a little] will allow the edge of the blade to go under the skin and cut or scratch it.
- Make sure your razor is sweeping your skin at an angle of 45 degrees or less. Scratches and cuts occur when the razor is rubbed at too great an angle against your skin. The blade should slide over your skin and you shouldn't be able to feel it.
- You may want to avoid stiff-bristled shaving brushes if you have sensitive or oily skin. There are many shaving creams in the market; choose one of the creams you like that is right for your skin type. A fine-bristled shaving brush is recommended for you to use. You can also use a soft blush cosmetic brush if you have very sensitive skin, although if you have very sensitive skin, you may want to use an electric shaver.
- After shaving a thick beard or mustache, shave every 3-4 days for a while. If you go out, a neat short beard is perfect.
Warning
- Be careful around any natural bumps on your skin, such as around moles and your Adam's apple.
- Avoid shaving against the direction of your hair's growth if you can, as this causes a beard tilt, which can cause hair to grow into the skin, and other complications. If you must shave against the direction of hair growth (for whatever reason) shave in the direction of hair growth first, then reapply shaving cream and shave against the direction of hair growth.
