Shaving Tips

1.Trim Down to a Stubble:

If your growth is more than a few days old use clippers to trim facial hair down the hair lengh to a stubble.

Reason: Trimming ensures proper adherence of the razor blade to the skin surface.

2. Prepare the Hair for Shaving:

Wash face with warm water and a face wash.

Reason for warm water: Heat breaks down hydrogen and disulfide bonds in hair, reducing its strength.

Reason for face wash: Breaks down surface tension of water, aiding penetration of hair. It will also remove debris from the skin that can damage the blade and effect the adherence of the blade with the skin.

Gentle exfoliating wash smoothens the skin and aids for skin renewal in areas not shaved.

3.Prepare the Skin:

Apply pre-shave lotion (Not oil-based when is using a shaving brush) to counteract the drying effect of a tap water (Typically Alkaline) on the skin.

Reason: Maintains skin's acidity for better razor adherence.

4. Further Prepare the Hair:

Apply shaving cream, mixed with water, in circular motions to lift hair away from the skin.

Reason: Packing cream under hair helps hair stand up and presents it at a the blade has a sharper angle of attack of the hair. The water alsio keeps the hair hydrated keeping it in a weaker state.

5. Using the Razor:

Shave with the grain on the first pass to remove stubble, being careful not to push the razor.

Reason for shaving with the grain: Minimizes resistance for better adherence of the blade of the skin.

Reason for not pushing the razor: Prevents skin irritation due to changes in blade angle on the skin.

6. For a Closer Shave:

Shave across the grain for a second pass, but avoid shaving against the grain especially on the lower neck area where the grown normally grows in an upward direction.

Reason for not shaving against the grain, reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs and razor burn by avoiding too steep an angle of attack causing a 'reflex' of the skin.

7. After Shaving:

Rinse face with warm water to wash away any residue and then cold water water to close pores opened during shaving.

Pat face dry gently with a towel.

Apply a non-grease based or oil-based moisturizer and non an aftershave balm or an alcohl based product.

Reason for rinsing with cool water is to close pores and stop dirt and infection getting deep into the skin

Reason for patting, not rubbing: The skin is in a delicate state and must treated very gently. rubbing the skin can actually run infection into the skin from anything on the towel.

Reason for moisturiser: Replenishes skin's acid mantle, and stops the over producing oil to protect itself.

Reason for non-grease based moisturiser: Prevents clogging of pores and potential skin issues.

Adam Keith S.R.S.H. and Master Craftsman