One of the most essential grooming routines for men is shaving. A quick shave may give you the look that you want for the time being. But, for really fabulous results, you need to spend more time and effort towards the removal of these unwanted hair off your face.
Here are 6 essential tips to help you make the most out of your shaving chores.
Take Your Time to Prep Your Skin
It is never a good idea to rush up on your shaving. This is especially true if you are working with the traditional razor blade. Additionally, you also need to prepare the skin on your face first. Skin preparation is an integral part of shaving. Here, you will need to wash your face first with dedicated facial cleaners. As much as possible, avoid using ordinary bath soap on your face as this can remove the natural oils on your skin and lead to irritation and dryness. Choose facial cleaners that have certain ingredients that can help soften the keratin found in hair. This is because keratin is a very fibrous protein that needs some softening up before it can be cut more efficiently. Make sure to leave the facial cleanser on for at least a minute before you rinse it off your face.
Once you have washed and cleansed your face, you can now apply your shaving gel or cream. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to get a shaving cream or gel that is designed primarily for sensitive skin. Now, leave it on your skin for about 2 to 3 minutes. The longer the shaving cream sits on your face, the softer the keratin on the hair will get, and the easier it will be for you to shave. While waiting, you can proceed with other hygiene activities like brushing your teeth or grooming your hair.
Use a Brush to Lather the Cream
In applying the shaving cream or gel always use a brush to work a lather on your face. Don’t use your fingertips to massage and lather the cream because your fingers will never be able to push the shaving cream into the open pores of your skin and onto the hair. For best results, use a badger hair brush as this has a solid reputation of lifting the hairs on your face with ease to allow them to be coated with the shaving cream.
Go for Sharp Blades
A single blade razor works just as fine as a multi-bladed razor. The more important thing to consider is the sharpness of the blade itself. Ideally, you need to replace your blades on a weekly basis or at most every 2 weeks. However, it is also crucial to look at the blade itself. If there are nicks in your blade, then it is telling you to get another one. Now, if you see yourself changing blades more often, it may be more practical to get cheaper single-bladed razors rather than invest in a very expensive multi-blade razor system. If it is costly, you will have second thought about changing it more often than you would want. If you are a professional shaver, then you can get a straight razor like the ones they use at barber shops. Otherwise, just leave these kinds of razors to the pros or get yourself a professional electric shaver.
Shave Hot, Rinse Cold
The key to a successful shave is keeping the hair soft so that it is a lot easier to cut or shave. One way to do this is by keeping your skin moist and hot. It is therefore, important to moisten your skin with a warm moisturized towel. This keeps the hair soft. Once you are done shaving, you need to rinse it off with cold water to help tighten the pores and minimize inflammation.
Shave in the Direction of Hair Growth
Another reason why you would want to soften the hair really well is for you to minimize the amount of time you are going to pass the razor across your face. Ideally, a single pass should be enough to shave your hair. The more passes you perform, the greater is the risk for skin irritation. This is why it is always best to soften the hair and shaving it in the direction of your hair growth.
Consider a Once-a-Month Visit to a Pro
You may consider yourself an expert at shaving but the real experts are those found in barber shops and similar establishments. A professional shave can last anywhere between 12 and 25 minutes and you will see the difference almost immediately. The good thing about going to the pros is you just lie back and let the pro take care of your facial hair. And while you’re at it, get a facial massage as well.
Shaving is both a science and an art. It’s never too late to master these tips to a perfect shave.