Many
men
shave at least a few times a week, and yet they never seem to get
the close, smooth and non-irritating shave that they desire. One
would think that shaving is a foolproof process that doesn’t
require any special technique or fancy equipment. However, the truth
is that there is more to the act of shaving than meets the eye, and
failing to follow the right techniques can leave your skin irritated,
stubbly and red rather than soft, smooth and refreshed.
Today,
we’ll be talking about some important shaving techniques that can
dramatically change the way in which your skin and facial hair feel.
As you’ll see, each technique is very simple to follow.
Lukewarm
Water is the Way to Go
A
question that many men ask is whether cold or hot water is the way to
go when shaving. Well, the answer is neither. Lukewarm is the only
temperature at which your water should be. Hot water can dry out and
irritate your skin, meaning that running a razor over it immediately
after can be disastrous. And, cold water can cause your follicles to
close up, meaning that you’ll have to tug extra hard to have a
close shave.
Don’t
Be Stingy with the Cream or Lotion
A
lot of guys use far less shaving cream or lotion than what’s needed
to ensure as little abrasion as possible. Don’t be afraid to
really slather it on if you want to have the best results. Even
better, invest in a quality shaving brush, as it helps thicken the
cream so that there’s a stronger barrier between the razor and your
sensitive skin.
Shave
in the Direction of Hair Growth
Shaving
in the direction in which your hair grows, rather than the opposite
direction, is absolutely crucial. Shaving against the growth pattern
can cause the razor to yank out hairs rather than gently cut them,
and can cause serious skin irritation due to the abrasive nature of
the action. Also, failing to shave in the direction of growth can
increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs, and no one wants that.
Use
a Clean Razor Only
A
lot of guys are a bit lazy when it comes to maintaining their razor.
Your razor absolutely must be clean before you shave. For one thing,
a razor that’s clogged with hairs won’t be able to shave
effectively. Additionally, razors that are not cleaned regularly can
carry bacteria that can lead to skin issues.
Safety
Razors Can Give You a Closer Shave
We
always recommend that men invest in safety razors, as they’re
designed to give you the closest shave possible while preventing
ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
Always
Use an Aftershave Product
Lastly,
the product that you use after your shave largely determines how your
skin feels after you’re done. Always use some type of aftershave
product as soon as you’re done shaving. Shaving is abrasive, and
your skin will be crying out for some type of soothing and
moisturizing product so that irritation is kept to a minimum.
The
Proper Shaving Technique Matters
As
you can see, there are many techniques that can make or break the
success of each shaving session. Use this article as a guide the
next time you plan on shaving. It can leave you with smoother skin
that’s free of irritation.