10 to 15 minutes is ideal, but any longer and your skin will start to wrinkle, making it harder to shave. [5] X Research source If you’re only shaving your face, a few splashes of warm water will do, as will wetting a towel with warm water and wrapping it around your face for 5-10 minutes.
Exfoliating scrubs may be labelled as “body scrubs” or “cleansing scrubs. " These are best used when you’re shaving your face. If you’re shaving your body, an exfoliating brush will work better. Exfoliating rids your skin of dead skin cells, which can clog up your razor if left untreated. [7] X Expert Source Juan SabinoProfessional Barber Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. A clogged razor is more likely to hop around your skin, leading to cuts or razor burns.
Shaving creams and gels will help a razor glide smoothly across your skin. [10] X Expert Source Juan SabinoProfessional Barber Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. Not using a shaving cream can force the razor to jump across your skin, which will certainly lead to a cut. If you have excessively dry skin, look for “sensitive skin” shaving creams. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source If you don’t have any shaving cream or gel, hair conditioner can work in a pinch. [12] X Research source You can also use soap lather. [13] X Expert Source Juan SabinoProfessional Barber Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
You can tell that your razor is beginning to dull when it tugs and nicks at your skin. This means that the blade isn’t sharp enough to cut your hair and is pulling it instead. Make sure that your razor is free of moisture and rust before shaving: these can cause infections from bacteria. [16] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Identify the grain by running your fingertips through your hair. If your fingertips encounter resistance, you’re moving your fingers against the grain, whereas if your fingertips move smoothly across the hair, you’re moving with the grain. Some people shave their legs against the grain. However, only do this after your hairs are very short, since shaving against the grain while your hair is long could tug the hair from its follicle, which can irritate your skin. [20] X Research source
If you’re shaving your face, use strokes of 1–2 inches (2. 5–5. 1 cm). For the rest of your body, strokes of 2–4 inches (5. 1–10. 2 cm) will work.
Speeding through a shave makes it likely that you will cut yourself.
Razors with four or five blades distribute pressure more evenly across your skin, which will give you a safer shave. [24] X Research source
This will ensure that the razor is free from bacteria, dead skin, hair, and shaving cream, which could cause infection if left on the blade. If possible, leave the razor in alcohol to disinfect everything after each use. [27] X Expert Source Juan SabinoProfessional Barber Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
If any fibers from the towel get stuck in the razor, use tweezers to pull them out; never use your fingers for this.
Keeping your razor someplace wet—such as your shower or bath—can lead to rust and bacteria. [29] X Research source
Depending on the blade, this could happen as soon as the fifth shave, so pay attention to how your razor is working.
