When it comes to a shaving having good techniques, products and post shaving skin care will all help you get a great look and feeling shave.
Having a good close shave followed by the right facial wash and after shave moisturizer go’s a long way to achieve health looking skin.
Here are some tips to help you on your way.
1) Making sure you beard is ready.
When it comes to shaving you need to make sure that your beard is ready, make sure your beard is thoroughly wet which will give you a closer shave with out any skin rashes or irritation.
Your facial hair absorbs moisture up to about 30% of its volume, when the hair is swollen with water it will become very weak which makes it easier to cut.
A good way to get you beard properly moistened is to have a shower or bath as the steam and heat from these will prepare your beard for you, if you do not have time for these you can always rinse your face then apply a warm wet towel to your face for a couple of minutes (your will find these is a technique that your barber will use).
You should never shave your beard cold or add your shaving products to a dry face.
2) Making sure you use a quality shaving cream.
When it comes to pick your shaving cream you need to get one that has a high concentration of lubricants and moisturizers.
You will find that the best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather but they don’t foam up like the cheaper store brands, the less foam in the shaving cream the better.
Having less resistance, less irritation and fewer nicks also mean that your blade will last longer! While the main reason of the shaving cream is to lubricate your face so that your razor will glide smoothly and effortlessly across the surface of your beard, it also helps to lock the moisture into your beard keeping it soft and upright, making it easier for you to cut.
Once you have applied your shaving cream you should leave it on your face for at least a minute before you begin shaving, this will soften and wet the beard.
3) Using a shaving brush.
When it comes to shaving one of the best tools you can use is a shaving brush.
Using a shaving brush can help you have a better shave in a couple of way 1st it help lift the hair of your beard for a closer shave 2nd it helps give a creamy rich lather with your shaving cream 3rd it also help to tack way dead skin cell which help reduce blemishes, razor burn and also will make your skin feel and look softer.
When buying a shaving brush always look for one with bristles that have the right balance between softness and resistance to raise the beard.
When apply your shaving cream using the brush in a circular motion which ends in an upward stroke this will help lift the beard up and away from the face which will give you a closer shave.
4) Making sure you use a Quality Razor and Change the Blades.
When shaving always use a good quality sharp razor blade, making sure the blade is sharp is good as your not just cutting off hair because every time you shave you scraping off up to two layers of surface skin as well.
Using a blunt blade is vary traumatic to the skin as it will make your face feel scratchy and look blotchy.
When it comes to changing your blade it depends on the toughness of your beard on how often you do it, it is best to change it between every 3 to every 10 shaves if you like to shave everyday.
If your blade is blunt make sure you ditch it.
Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to have a shave and after every few swipes helps to removes the shaving cream, whiskers, and dead skin that have collected up.
To get a really close shave remoisten the section you just shaved, you can do this by spreading a thin layer of shaving lather from another area of your face, and then shave that area again. Always make sure you keep everything moist.
Use hot water also helps lubricate the skin and it has nothing to do with killing bacteria.
5) Making sure you use your razor properly.
When shaving it is always a good idea to shave in the direction of the growth of your beard.
Always start at the sides, and then do your moustaches areas then the chin last. You will find that your chin hair is the toughest so leaving it to last gives it more time to soften.
Shaving against the direction of the hair growth will give you a closer shave, but you will find it has drawbacks:
1st it’s a good way to donate bleeding
2nd You are also at high risk of cutting off the beard hair below skin level, this can causing an ingrown of the beard hair (in growing hairs) – this is when the whisker grows into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the pore, resulting in it to inflame and possible get infected. To avoid any problems. Shave with the grain (this means, in the direction your hair grows).
Everybody’s facial hair has its own growth pattern. If you are unsure of the direction of your beard, you can find this out by let it grow for a day or two and you’ll see it.
6) What to do if you want a closer shave
If you want to get a closer shave what you need to do is add some more lather from you brush o the areas that you want to shave again.
This is one benefit you get out of using a brush, for most guys re shaving certain areas will do the job.
But always remember not to over shave as it will cause skin irritation and rashes.
7) How to cleanse and soothe after shaving
After have a shave your skin is at its most vulnerable, so rinse your face with warm water and then use a facial wash (that has a high strength of tea tree oil which is a natural antiseptic) which will help cleanse and protect you from spots and shaving rash.
Now you need to rinse your face with cool water and pat dry with a towel. Do not rub dry.
9) How to finish off
When shaving you can remove up to 2 layers of skin off, so it is important that you use a moisturizer after shaving every time you shave.
This will replace all the moisture and smooth the skin, when choosing a aftershave balm not go for the cheapest paying a bit more will help your face and skin feel better.
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