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August 26, 2005

Pre-School Shaving Tips: Back to Basics

Due to the profession I’ve chosen, I constantly receive grooming questions from friends and fellow writers. The one that comes up time and time again is, “How do I get a better shave?”

On average, guys will devote more than 20 hours to shaving each year (if they devote a not-even-minimum of five minutes, five times a week). Shouldn’t that make us experts? Surprisingly, most guys can’t tell you what brand shaving cream they use, much less the proper techniques to getting a closer shave. So where did we go wrong?

In the 20th century we saw advancements like the microwave oven, aerosol shaving cream and disposable razors, three things that are related because they cut down on the time it takes to accomplish the end result. Shaving, which was once a ritual and a time-honored rite-of-passage, was now turned into a chore that guys were speeding through. Decades passed and men were left with rough, nicked skin because they know nothing about their grandfather’s shaving techniques.

Back to Basics

There is still hope if guys follow some simple shaving guidelines. The most important is to always use a sharp blade. Whether you are brave enough to use a straight blade or opt for the Mach3, an industry staple, a sharp blade will cut down on the number of passes required for a close shave, while preventing excess nicks. The next step is to find a quality shaving product that works for your skin. Look for creams that provide moisturizing and lubricating agents (i.e. allantoin), as these will help the blade glide more easily over the skin. Once you have these basics in your arsenal, it is important to know that you get a better shave when the beard is soft. This is accomplished by shaving in or straight out of the shower. If time does not allow for this, you can achieve the same thing by applying a hot towel to the beard for 30 seconds. After shaving, rinse face with cold water, to calm skin and close any cuts, and apply an aftershave that contains antiseptic ingredients like tea tree oil and witch hazel extract, as they will help prevent ingrown hairs, or folliculitis barbae, while reducing irritation.

Posted by Lance Buckley at August 26, 2005 01:17 PM