Every man loves the look and feel of a clean, close shave without the unbecoming cuts, razor burns, infections and bloody toilet paper. Unfortunately, getting one of those unflattering marks happens more often than not, but there are some shaving tips you can follow to prevent cutting yourself while shaving.
Be Careful
This is a no-brainer but the least followed advice and is easier said than done. Most shaving accidents come from bad practices which usually arise from carelessness. Take your time while shaving. To shave without cutting yourself, pay attention to your strokes, your face and your stubble while shaving. Although you’ve been shaving almost your entire life, this is not something you can do with your eyes closed.
Use the right products
Not all shaving creams, oils and razor blades are the same. It may take some time to find the right products but the results are worth the search. Look for creams that contain a high concentration of moisturizers and lubricants. A good shaving cream creates a thick cream instead of coming out in a foam-like composition.
When it comes to razor blades, always remember this: Buying a new razor or blades is much more economical than suffering from the terrifying effects of a dull blade. To avoid cutting yourself with a shaving razor you may also want to try out shaving with a safety razor or electric ones.
Proper prepping of the beard
What you do before the shave is just as important as what you do while shaving. For a good wet shave, there are several things you can do to prep your stubble to facilitate a better shave such as:
- Shave after showering. To prevent face burns after shaving, it is best to shave after a warm bath as this opens the pores, thoroughly cleans your skin and softens your stubble.
- Exfoliating. Before you shave, exfoliate your face as it makes your hair softer which makes shaving easier.
- Use pre-shave oils. Pre-shaving oils are applied as a base before the shaving cream is placed on the skin. These do wonders for your skin as they prevent razor burns and ingrown hair due to their moisturizing factors. Also, they allow the razor to glide more efficiently on the skin, do not clog the pores and don’t contain too many chemicals which could further irritate your skin.
Use a shaving brush
Shaving brushes can be your best friend in classic shaving. It is not just a fancy tool but actually performs several functions. First, it raises your stubble which enables you to make a closer shave. Second, it aids in the application of shaving cream, at the same time helps in lathering it up to make it hold on your skin better. Third, it helps exfoliate your skin which frees your face from dead skin and dirt which can lead to irritation and burns.
Aftershave care
Once you are done shaving, your skin is raw and most vulnerable. Rinse your face thoroughly and wash it with men’s aftershaves A good example is aftershave with tea tree oil as this is a natural disinfectant. Don’t use aftershave with high alcohol content as these may irritate the sensitive parts of your face. When drying your skin, don’t rub, but rather tap it dry with a towel.
As you can see, the question on how to shave without cutting your face isn’t so mysterious after all. With the right products, proper care and good habits, you will be able to get a clean shave without those nasty cuts and burns.