COMMON WET SHAVING MISTAKES
There are men out there who suffer from bumps, cuts, or irritated skin after shaving. This is mostly due to common shaving mistakes that leave your skin irritated and damaged after shaving. Whether it is from skipping your preparation or using a dull blade, if you are suffering from irritated skin you are likely guilty of one of these common shaving mistakes. Keep reading for some help on improving your shave and avoiding these common mistakes.
SHAVING MISHAPS TO AVOID
SKIPPING PREP
Preparing correctly is essential for shaving. One of the main causes of irritation post shave is the lack of correct preparation beforehand. Shaving when your skin is dry and your stubble is stiff is going to lead to an uncomfortable shave and sore skin. Taking the time to properly prepare your skin before shaving will make all the difference to your shaving routine.
The quickest and easiest way to prepare your skin for the perfect shave is with a warm shower and a light exfoliator. The steam from the shower will help to open your pores and soften the hair, while the exfoliator removes any excess oil and dead skin cells. You should allow the steam to penetrate your beard for a few minutes as this will create softer beard hair that is easier to cut. If you cannot have a shower pre-shave, use warm water from the sink instead to assist in opening up your pores. Remember to prepare your neck as well as your face.
NO LATHER
Taking the time to create a proper lather can make all the difference to your shaving routine. When you shave with no lather your skin is bound to get irritated, with no lubrication to help the razor glide across the skin. Shaving cream will also soften the beard hairs after your preparation, making it much easier to get a close shave.
For a proper lather and healthy shave, opt for a shaving cream or soap where you create the lather yourself rather than a shaving foam. Use a shaving brush with your product of choice to build up a proper lather, taking the time to ensure it is perfect before applying this to your beard. Make sure you get it right down to the surface of your skin when applying. This helps make sure none of your skin is left unprotected from the razor, allowing the razor to glide smoothly across the skin and reduce the chances of irritation.
DULL BLADES
Using a dull blade while shaving is one of the easiest ways to end up with irritated skin. Dull blades won’t have a clean cut through your hair, instead dragging and skipping which will damage your skin. A blunt blade will require you to go over the same area several times to get a close shave, which gives you a much higher risk of skin irritation.
This is an easy one to fix, you just need to make sure that you are replacing your blade often enough. The lifespan of your blade is dependent on a few variables, but as a general rule you should replace your blade every 3 to 5 shaves. By doing this you will improve your shaving experience greatly as well as allow yourself to get a close shave a lot easier.
WRONG TECHNIQUE
Technique is essential when it comes to shaving. A common shaving mistake is shaving with an incorrect technique, leading to irritated skin, razor burn and ingrown hairs. The preferred technique is to use slow, careful strokes and move across your face in the direction of the grain. If you shave against the grain, the blade will tug at your hair and pull it away from your face as it slices through. This increases the chances of you getting ingrown hairs which become swollen and sore.
Another common mistake when it comes to technique is applying too much pressure. With a good lather, preparation and sharp blade, you should not need to press hard against your skin. Instead, use a light touch that allows the razor to slice through your beard hairs without pressing hard and irritating the skin with the blade.
SKIPPING AFTERSHAVE
One of the most common shaving mistakes is skipping aftershave. Aftershave repairs your skin after shaving, disinfecting and soothing the area. After shaving, your skin will have abrases that can cause irritation, which is why it is so important to apply aftershave. This will kill any bacteria on your skin's surface to heal the area and prevent any bumps or irritation.
Whether you opt for a traditional splash or a lotion, just make sure you apply this after each time you shave. Shaving can be quite harsh on your skin so it is important to take a few extra steps to ensure you are not irritating your face.
Whatever common shaving mistake you are guilty of, follow the tips in this blog and your shave will be perfect in no time!