How to get a close shave with razor

How to get a close shave with razor

Ever attempted trying to shave off your facial hairs with a razor? Well, almost everyone has at some point. The average man has about 25,000 facial hairs and each has a tensile strength similar to that of copper wire. Yes, those hairs are quite tough. This could account for the clumsiness experienced by a few people trying to shave theirs.

Although shaving technology has seen lots of improvements over the years with the invention of electric shavers, clippers, and several others, men are still unable to perform this act without leaving one or two tissues with cuts.

There are safe ways you can have a close shave without giving razor bumps the opportunity to ravage your skin. We will get to that soon.

How Do Blades Help?

Before we go through the steps you should take to obtain the ideal close shave, understanding how blades work is important. Your facial hairs behave in a dramatic manner when you try shaving them. The skin in this area is quite soft but with relatively stronger hair fibers. During shaving, the soft hair follicles of your face make the hairs in this area to return deep into the skin. This process is called ‘hysteresis.’

With multi-blades, the first layer blade cuts off a large chunk of the hair. The second layer cuts yet another chunk of hair before this plunge back into the follicles. If there is a third layered blade, it will lift the remaining hair and possibly cut such as well; give the user a ‘close shave.’

Yes, a sharp single razor might be great in trimming facial hairs, but it is clearly limited. To get that desired close shave, you may need at least three razors. The implication is that the number of razors is proportional to the quality of your close shaving experience.

This explains the increase in production of blades with three and five razors.

Close Shave and Safety Razors

What is a safety razor? It is a device with a replaceable razor blade used in shaving. It is a viable alternative to the multiple-blade devices.

Safety razors have single razors that are adjustable and they have attributes which are exclusive to them.

There is little doubt about the safety of this class of shaving tools but a lot of falsehood has been peddled against such. This is usually done as a marketing tactic for certain products.

Before you buy a safety razor, endeavor to consider some of these factors:

  • Your budget
    Like everything else, your budget could decide what you buy. Safety razors have different prices based on brand and quality. This can range anywhere from $10 to about $200. However, there should be a noticeable difference when using a high-end safety razor and a low one. You need to look at your budget before settling for one
  • Weight
    Although the weight of a safety razor varies from model to model, some men love the heavier models with claims of a more favorable control over such. Your choice could decide the quality of your shaving experience. So, choose wisely
  • Length of the Handle
    This depends on the size of your hands. If you have longer fingers and a broad palm, a razor with a shorter handle would feel awkward
  • Blade
    Some companies attach adjustable blades to their safety razors. Others leave the blade fixed. Your ideal attribute (fixed or adjustable blade) could be decisive on the safety razor you opt for

Getting a safety razor might be considered the first step towards enjoying the perfect shaving experience. You will need to learn to use a safety razor. Initially, a safety razor might give you the impression of safety, but things could take a wrong turn if not done the right way. Frankly, an initial attempt to use a safety razor is often awkward and possibly gruesome. A perfect start can only be considered ‘wishful thinking’. However, with the right tips, you can minimize the risks of mauling yourself typical of a bad shaving experience.

How to Get a Close Shave with a Safety Razor

Here are the steps to take to ensure your desired close shaving experience isn’t but a mirage.

  1. Get your skin prepared
    The condition of your facial skin during a close shaving exercise is crucial. Don’t neglect it. You will need to wash and exfoliate your skin using a decent shaving cream or soap. Most people shave immediately they get out of the shower. Others use a warm towel on their face for a few minutes before shaving. Both are worthy routes to consider in your pursuit of a close shave
  2. A new blade swipes clean
    Using a new blade increases the probability of getting a close shave. Ignore the rumored worries of cuts when using a new blade. Proper handling should eliminate the risk of an injury
  3. Don’t force it!
    Unlike multi-blade razors which allow you to drag the blade over your face and facial hair, a safety razor only requires minimal pressure for an efficient shaving exercise. Applying unnecessary pressure will affect the appearance of your face negatively
  4. Short strokes are great
    Shaving blade adverts are not meant to be accepted hook, line, and sinker. Those long swipes commonly seen in adverts, amplify the risk of injuries while shaving. Short strokes would do just fine. You would get better results and with a much lower probability of injuries
  5. Direction counts.
    For a close shaving, you will need to study your face. Knowledge of the path of growth of your facial hairs will make shaving less tortuous. Shaving your beard in that direction reduces the incidence of injury. Subsequently, you can add more lather to what’s left of your beard and repeat the same process
  6. Don’t spare the cream
    If you seek a close shave, lathering your beard is an integral step to take. Apparently, you will need a generous amount of your shaving cream to make this happen. It is certainly worth the cost. This will make the task before your safety razor much easier. When your beard is well lathered, a single swipe could prove valuable in your pursuit of a perfect close-shaving experience
  7. Rinse it all
    After the deed, rinse your face with cold water. Subsequently, you can apply an aftershave balm or a styptic depending on what works best for you

In conclusion, getting a close shave could be tricky. You will need to learn the ropes of your new shaving kit. However, once that’s out of the way, you could get that close shave you have always dreamt of.


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