Use your free hand to slightly pull and tighten the skin so the hair is standing upright for a cleaner cut. Never use extensive pressure with the shaver on your skin, which may lead to irritability.
Pressure is minimal. Just enough to keep the blade edge in consistent contact with the skin, and cut the hair. Consistent and proper angle really makes a difference, and is one of the hardest aspects to perfect when learning the straight razor shave.
With traditional shaving, we were always taught to shave with the grain in order to get a comfortable shave. With electric shavers however you must do the complete opposite and always go against the grain. That's the only way your shaver can effectively capture and cut hairs clean.
The instructions on my new razor say that it takes three weeks for your skin to adjust to the new shaving style. I'm giving it 3 weeks for those rough patches to sort out.
Some disadvantages of electric shavers include potential skin irritation, difficulty achieving a close shave compared to manual razors, and regular maintenance, such as cleaning and replacing blades or foils.
A drawback of using a manual razor is that the chance of skin irritation and getting cut or nicked while shaving is higher when compared to an electric razor. With that being said, you can prevent nicks, cuts and skin irritation by shaving properly.
- Electric shavers rarely give as close a shave as regular razors, so if you're looking for a truly smooth shave, you might want to stick to the classics. You'll also probably have to shave a lot more regularly to keep the stubble at bay if you're going electric.
Properly used, most electric shavers can give you a shave that is every bit as close as, if not closer, than a shave obtained from a blade razor.
Selecting the right shaver and using it correctly play a significant role in preventing in-grown hairs, razor bumps and reducing irritation. Some electric shavers draw heat towards the shaver head, causing inflammation and irritation on your skin.
Unless you're using one of the new breed of wet and dry shavers – which can be used with or without water – you'll get much better results from an electric shaver if your stubble is bone dry and stiff. To make sure it's free of dirt and sebum (the skin's natural oil) use an alcohol-based pre-electric shave product.
While there are many benefits to dry shaving, an electric shaver is more likely to irritate dry, sensitive skin and cause razor burn or ingrown hairs. That's why we recommend wet shaving, even if it's potentially more time-consuming and expensive in the long-term.
Angling for Success:The angle at which you hold the electric shaver greatly influences its performance. Avoid holding it too flat or at awkward angles against your skin. Opt for a slight angle that ensures smooth contact between the blades and your skin.
Don't press too hard but don't be too gentle. Find the right touch by making sure the razor is cutting the hair and not your skin. You'll know if you're being too gentle if you only remove the shaving cream and the hair is still there. When the sides of your face are finished, move on to the more tricky spots.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you value. While the traditional blade does provide a better shave, it simply isn't as fast as the electric, and that's a call you're going to have to make. Whatever your method, a little extra effort goes a long way.
Hold the shaver at a right angle (90°) to your skin and shave against the direction of beard growth. Also, remember not to shave the same areas repeatedly to reduce the risk of skin irritation. Keep the pressure even to get the best possible shave. You don't have to press as hard as you would with a manual razor.
Even if electric shaving is less taxing on your skin compared to using a razor blade, subjecting your skin daily to a potentially irritating factor can cause some problems. If you have very sensitive skin, your skin may need a day or two between shaving sessions to heal.
To get a shave that looks and feels close without massacring your skin, try an electric shaver. They have a cover over the blades that keeps them from going close enough to irritate or cut the skin, shielding you from nicks and helping to prevent ingrown hairs too.
However, there are also electric wet razors available. You can use these in the shower, and that's when Shave Cream can actually come in handy, because it'll allow you to get a closer, smoother shave.
Using shaving cream also may help protect your skin from cuts and irritation. If you're nervous about cutting yourself, you can try an electric razor instead.
An electric shaver can be expensive upfront but can last for years if properly taken care of. This option is more of a long-term investment. Vice versa, manual razors are very cost-effective upfront but replacement blades and additional products can add up over time.
The butterfly safety razor utilizes a twist-to-open mechanism head to make changing the blade easy and convenient.
Everybody's different, of course, but many guys complain that electric razors irritate their skin, causing burning, itching, and blotching throughout the day. But perhaps the biggest drawback is the fact that electric razors just don't cut as close to the skin as traditional ones do.
The truth is that both shavers provide benefits, but they are designed to perform differently. While an electric razor is more efficient, a straight razor is more effective at shaving close to the skin. Choosing the correct type of shaver depends on your personal preferences, your skin type and how you plan to use it.