Shaving - Face
To get the best shave it is important to also look after your skin. Never ever shave dry of without some kind of barrier such as shaving foam/cream or gel - this doesn’t include soap or shower gel unless it is a special shaving soap applies with a shaving brush (men-u - shaving brush)! If you fail to use the correct barriers then you will get sore skin, shaving rash and spots and possible infection from ingrown hairs. If you do get ingrown facial hairs or shaving rash there are products that can help (Skin doctors - ingrown hair solution).
It is personal preference as to which you prefer but make sure if you suffer from sensitive skin you get the product specifically for dry skin (Elemis - shave gel). You may also find it beneficial to use a pre-shave oil treatment to help protect the skin as you shave whilst moisturising underneath the foam or gel and prevent nicks and cuts.
If you prefer to use an electric shaver then there are also some products designed to give you a smoother and more comfortable shave.
Getting a good razor is very important. Disposable razors don’t tend to have as high quality blades as the razors with disposable razor heads. Invest in the bit extra and get razor heads with moisturising strips and extra blade strips for closer shave with moisturising benefits. Once you feel the razor starting to get blunt you must change it or again you could suffer from a rash and ingrown hairs.
After care for you skin once you have shaved is as important as the shave itself. The skin will always be slightly dehydrated from the foam or gel so it is important to put back some moisture to maintain soft and supple skin. The best type of product to use at this point is an after shave balm, cream or moisturiser to cool calm and heal as well as reducing redness, stinging and razor burn. (Korres - aftershave balm). If you are going to use aftershave then splash it on after these products as it will help to protect from the skin from stinging as well as closing the pores in the skin.
If you prefer to use a facial moisturiser rather than an after shave product because you skin has different requirements such as dry or oily then see our article on skincare for products and advice.
Remember to always shave in the opposite direction of the hair growth and if you do happen to cut yourself while shaving then put pressure on the cut with your finger until the bleeding stops. Bleeding may appear worse when shaving as water can make the blood thin and runnier and once the bleeding has stopped you should avoid the area with the razor and products as this can further agitate the cut and cause infection.
Head
The same rules for shaving your head apply as when shaving your face although you may want to omit some of the moisturising after shave treatments as this can cause shine. To avoid shine try these various products.
Purchase a razor that has been designed for head shaving at this will have a slight curvature to enhance the shave over the scalp
Again if you do nick your scalp you will see more blood as there are many blood vessels that live just under the scalp skin.