Shaving

Undoubtedly the most misunderstood and dreaded rite of pass for any young man. Wet or dry ? Gel or oil ? The questions are endless and just WHO do you ask ?

Here’s our take on this bristly subject.

Wet Shaving
The old-fashioned way of doing it, but the most effective for many men, once they get the hang of it.

Don’t shave immediately after you crawl out of bed. Try to be upright for at least ten minutes ( loo trip can fit perfectly here ) – that gives the skin’s overnight swollen condition a chance to return to normal. That way, the hairs are out on show, ready to be mown. Otherwise, you can shave and still look like you need another shave an hour later.

Spend a bit of time with warm water, making sure the hair is softened. Cleanse your skin. Consider using a few drops of oil on top of cleansed skin. Some guys shave just like that. Others use a cream or oil-based shaving lotion on top. Some prefer those soapy gels or foams.

Use a decent razor : many brands now produce multi-blade systems where the blades are disposable after a few shaves.

Shave in the direction of the hair growth, not against it. That way, you won’t be pulling up the edge of the hair follicle (the hole where the hair is ‘planted’) and tearing it. Razor rash. Ah, that’s what causes it.

And rinse well. Very well. And dry. Then, if you use a toner, spray it on the whole face at that stage. Moisturise and you’re done.

Regular exfoliating makes all the difference between being exposed to possible ingrown hairs and avoiding them. Visit Your Skin > What the Words Mean

Dry Shaving
Electric razors are becoming so techno-advanced that we will soon need a license to drive one of them.

They are convenient with a capital ‘C’. Shaving in the car – dumb, but it happens – shaving at work, shaving anywhere is pretty well possible. Many users of electric razors swear that it is the only way to go.

The downside can be a less-close shave and lesser removal of dead skin cells: that can lead to ingrown hairs. So exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Visit Your Skin > What the Words Mean

Most razor manufacturers tell you to shave in any direction and all insist that your razor must be kept very clean at all times. Regularly disinfecting the razor heads and blades is a good idea.

Be sure to cleanse your face before using your razor, then tone and moisturise afterwards.

Do not forget that regular exfoliating makes all the difference between being exposed to possible ingrown hairs and avoiding them. Dry shaver guys pay particular note.