Did you know that there really is a fine technique to shaving? Even though you do it everyday you might not be doing it right!  There are some important tips to know…so that you won’t ever have to worry about causing a razor irritation again.

Using good quality shaving products, such as the ones we feature, help to reduce skin irritation, razor bumps, ingrown hairs and other problems resulting from shaving. If you follow these simple shaving tips and you will be on the road to flawless healthy skin.

So, easy quick step by step:

1. Shave during or after a shower or when beard has been wet for five minutes.
2. Use a good quality cream, gel or oil and make sure it is massaged into the skin well.
3. Shave with a clean sharp razor blade and make sure you use a light touch.
4. Shave with the grain in slow strokes and only go against the grain if you have to, if you do use extra lubrication and only do it once on each area.
5. Don’t shave over irritated skin until it has healed.
6. After shaving, rinse the area thoroughly with cool water.
7. Follow shaving with a post shave moisturiser.
8. Ideally finish off with an all over face sunscreen.

More in depth explanation:
When
You should always shave at the end of a shower (or in the shower), or after your hair has been wet for at least five minutes. Use one of our shaving creams, gels or oils for best results. Hair which is wet hair is softer and easier to cut.  For best results use a face scrub regularly to stop razor drag and as an extra measure to prevent ingrown hairs forming. 

The razor
With a good razor blade and the right technique, you should be able to cut through it, no problem. The brand name of the blade is far less important than the state it is in. You will not get a close shave from a blunt blade and you will end up with redness and blotches on your face and neck. The answer is simple. As soon as you feel a blade is not performing properly, replace it!

The product
Using a good quality shaving product is very important.  You must ensure that your shave preparation whether it is oil, gel or cream (which can be applied with a shaving brush) is thoroughly massaged into the stubble or hair (the amount of lather is irrelevant – lots of foam does not mean a better shave). It is important that to get the full benefit of your shaving product, take a moment to read the instructions on pack.

Big no no!
If you think you can have a sneaky dry shave, think again! If you try to cut dry whiskers you face the risk of pulling the hair up from its follicle and having it snap back under the skin, where it can grow crookedly, not able to exit the follicle, therefore causing ingrown hairs.

How to do it
Hold your razor lightly.  A delicate touch goes a long way to giving you a safe, comfortable shave. Imagine your face as a balloon and shave with that lightness of touch. If you haven’t shaved for a few days, make sure to use a new blade. Most shaving problems are self-inflicted from rushing, not using enough warm water and a barbarian technique! Just take your time and go slow.

Shave with light downward strokes. It’s best to shave in the same direction as the hair lies or, “with the grain” – so that you don’t cut the hair too short. If you shave upwards it can also cause the hair to snap back and retract under the skin, causing irritation and razor bump problems. However, you can shave upwards with extra lubrication, using light upward strokes after you have made an initial pass downward.

Do not over shave. Going over and over the same area on your face or body with a razor can cause the hair to be cut too short, again resulting in ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or skin irritation. Shave what you need to, but go easy, overlapping only where you have to.

Don’t stretch your skin when you shave. Although sometimes you might have to pull your skin a bit to get the razor over a patch smoothly without any nicks, the best way to shave is to leave your skin as it is – natural and relaxed. Tightening the skin can cause hairs to be shaved below the resting surface of the skin – again, cutting them too short, which can cause skin irritation and other problems.

After shaving rinse the area you have shaved thoroughly with cool water.

Irritations
Most importantly, if you do get shaving irritation, let the irritated area heal before you drag your razor over it again aggravating the problem. Shaving over this skin abrasion can lead to scarring and severely impacted ingrown hairs that get trapped in the healing process.

After shaving
Follow up with post shave moisturiser.  An after shave moisturiser will soothe and cool the skin while some are also able to help heal minor cuts.  Avoid after-shave products with high alcohol or perfume content, these can dry out the skin and occasionally cause pigmentation problems on the lower face and neck on certain people.

Always Use Sunscreen. Sunscreen helps to prevent hyper-pigmentation, skin cancer and pre-mature aging.  Look at our face moisturisers and lip treatments for  non greasy products which provide broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection for skin and lips.

Electric shaving
If you are prone to skin irritation, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, be careful with electric razors. Rotary blades cut hair at different angles. If you do use a rotary razor, make sure you don’t stretch your skin when shaving. Pulling at your skin can cause “razor burn” from the vibrating blades and can also make hair can snap back under the skin, causing skin irritation and other problems.  Use one of the electric shave products we feature for a safer, closer electric shave. After shaving just like with a wet shave you should follow with a post shave moisturiser.

Click here to look at the range of shave products we carry

(Shaving tips with help from King of Shaves at shave.com, Brave Soldier at bravesoldier.com and men-u at men-u.co.uk)