Basic shaving can be quick and easy. Just pick up a razor and drag it across your face until the stubble’s gone. A really good shave, on the other hand, requires a little more effort and know-how. Even if you’ve been shaving for years, you might learn something, from dermatologists and a barber who’s been shaving men’s beards for decades, about what you need to do to get the best shave possible.
Take Your Time
Don’t rush through a shave. Rushing your shave is as good as abusing your face. Instead, spend the necessary time prepping your skin for the razor. Start by washing your face. Facial cleansers work best because they help soften the protein in the hair. Harsh soaps, on the other hand, wash away hair-softening oils. Leave the cleanser on your face for one minute before you rinse.
Next, lather up with shaving cream or gel. Then let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. You can comb your hair or brush your teeth to pass the time. Allowing your shaving cream to sit on your skin for a minute or two really softens the hair and makes a one-pass shave possible.
Brush Up
Don’t rely on your fingers to lather your shaving cream. Get a brush. A good brush really pushes the cream into the hair and makes it much easier to shave. A brush lifts the facial hairs and really coat them with cream. The blade that you use, whether single-blade or multi-blade, must be sharp. Discard it if a nick is seen in the blade.
Hot and Cold
Another key to a good shave is keeping the skin hot and moist. A great way to ensure this is to shave in the shower or just after you get out. Follow your shave with a cold water rinse. Cold water reduces inflammation.
Go With the Grain
Shave with the grain — that is, in the direction that your hair is growing. Though you may get a closer shave if you go against it, you make razor burn or ingrown hairs more likely. Softening the hair first, as described above, should allow you a close, comfortable shave in one with-the-grain pass.
The above tips will ensure a clean and close shave!