Look in the mirror and think about your shaving routine. Many men do this daily yet still ruin their skin. We often drag cheap blades quickly across our faces. This creates red bumps and real discomfort. Getting a super close shave is easy if you slow down and buy decent items. Below are the most common things we do wrong and how to fix them right away starting today.
Skipping the Pre-Shave Prep
A lot of guys just wake up and put a razor right on their dry face which is a fast way to get razor burn. It helps to take a warm shower first or put a warm wet towel over your face to soften the hair before you even think about shaving.
Using Cold Water Before Shaving
Cold water closes up your pores and makes the hair stiff and much harder to cut smoothly. Warm water opens everything up and relaxes the skin so the blade can glide over your face without pulling the hairs.
Pressing the Razor Too Hard
You might think pressing harder gives you a closer shave but it actually just scrapes the top layer of your skin right off. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you and just guide it gently across your face.
Shaving Against the Grain First
Going against the direction your hair grows right away is basically asking for ingrown hairs and nasty red bumps. You should always shave with the grain first to remove most of the hair and only go against it later if you really need to be super smooth.
Using Old Dull Razor Blades
Trying to shave with a blade you have been using for a month is a terrible idea because dull blades pull hair instead of cutting it. You really want to swap out your blades after five to seven shaves so you always have a sharp edge ready to go.
Skipping the Shaving Cream
Using just plain soap and water dries out your skin and does not give the razor enough slip to glide safely. A good shaving gel or cream creates a protective barrier between the sharp metal and your delicate face.
Forgetting to Rinse the Blade
If you take five strokes without washing the blade it gets totally clogged up with shaving cream and cut hair. Rinsing the razor after every single swipe keeps the blades clear and makes sure they can actually reach your skin.
Rushing Through the Process
We all oversleep sometimes but trying to shave your whole face in two minutes usually ends with cuts and missed patches of hair. Take your time and use short strokes because your face will definitely thank you for not treating it like a race track.
Using Drink-Based Aftershaves
Slapping on that burning drink aftershave like they do in old movies actually dries out your skin and causes more redness. It is much better to look for an drink free soothing balm that calms the skin down after you finish shaving.
Ignoring a Good Moisturizer
Shaving strips away a lot of natural oils from your face so you have to put some hydration back into your skin right away. Using a lightweight daily moisturizer keeps your face looking fresh and stops it from feeling tight and itchy all day long.
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