The face is the first body part many people notice and pay attention to. Your face can be a silent first impression for people. For an adult male, facial hair can define a man’s personality. When seeing a man with long beard, one would automatically associate it with masculinity and ruggedness. Someone with a clean shaven face can make them look younger and more approachable. Shaving is an important tool for male grooming. Depending on the look you are going for, it is important to know how to shave. These are the steps to getting the best shave possible.
The first step when shaving is the preparation. A good prep cleanses the skin, opens the pores, and softens the skin. To prepare the skin for a smooth shave, always shave after or at the end of a hot shower (Dave Alexander). If a shower is not possible, rinse your face and then apply a warm moistened towel to your face for at least a couple of minutes. One of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. This will soften the beard and open the pores. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Never shave cold or apply shaving products to a dry face - this is one of the leading causes of razor burn and shaving rash. Always use a high quality, glycerine based shave cream once the beard and face are fully moisturized. While the primary function of the shaving cream is to lubricate your face so that the razor will glide smoothly and effortlessly across the surface, it also serves to lock the moisture into the whiskers, keeping them soft and upright, primed for the cut. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting, so that the beard is as soft and wet as possible (shaving tips & techniques: How to get the best shave).
Two of the leading causes of ingrown hairs and razor burn are poor lubrication and dull blades (Dave Alexander). Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. Be sure the blade is sharp. Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin gunk. The use of hot water here is to help lubricate (having tips & techniques: How to get the best shave). Ideally shave in the direction of the beard growth. Start with one side of your face and work steadily towards the other side, doing small sections at a time. Then the mustache area and last the chin because the chin hairs are the toughest. Leaving chin hairs last allows them the most time to soften under the shave cream. This way you won't miss anything. Use short, light, downward strokes (with the grain), keeping the flat of the blade almost parallel with the face, to remove the bulk of the hair. Use your free hand to pull your skin tight (“Shave Your Face”).
After a shave, the facial skin is very sensitive and vulnerable. You want to first wash the face off with warm water and a facial antiseptic. Once you pat your face dry, you should apply witch hazel to the face and an after shave lotion. While shaving, you are not only getting rid of hair, but also layers of skin. It is important to use an after-shave moisturizing lotion after a facial shave to replace moisture lost from the shave. If you use these tips and shave correctly, it can work very well in your favor visually. If these steps are used correctly, it can prevent razor bumps and facial cuts.
REFERENCE:
Alexander, D. (n.d.). How to shave properly. Retrieved from http://menshair.about.com/od/shavingadvice/a/shavingface.htm
How to shave your face. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/Shave-Your-Face
shaving tips & techniques: How to get the best shave. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.men-uusa.com/men-u_shaving_tips.html
No comments:
Post a Comment