Disclosure: I received product and compensaition from Schick Hydro® for this post! All opinions are 100% my own.
Give Yourself the Best Shave Possible
We all deserve to look and feel our best at any given time of the day. I know that I have been guilty of relaxing when it comes to shaving my face a time or two. So I have taken it upon myself for the remainder of the year to have the Best Shave Possible! Now I have always told Staci I either don’t like to shave or I am not good at it. I can’t remember my dad or anyone teaching me or showing me proper technique or form. Luckily I have a tough face, and after years of facial hair growth, I feel confident in shaving. So I have listed a few tricks and facts to help men overcome the non-desire of wanting to shave.
First off, you should always have the right tools for the job and that they are well maintained. I recently received the Schick Hydro® 5 razor and Schick Hydro® Sensitive shave gel. Together, along with some of the tricks below, I have improved my shaving experience. Before I would get razor burn to the point I could even touch my face, but now I feel soft and smooth.
Skin and Hair
- A great shave goes beyond the surface – Over time, skin and hair change in response to factors including: age, environmental factors (e.g. sun, wind) and hormones. Understanding these factors, as well as skin and hair growth specifically, are key to achieving a smooth shave on a consistent basis.
- Understanding Skin – The body’s largest organ, skin not only protects us against environmental influences, but also acts as a continuous conductor sending sensory information to the brain for processing.
- Skin’s Structure – Skin consists of two primary layers: the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the external layer of skin and is composed mainly of a protein called Keratin. The inner layer of skin, known as the dermis, contains collagen protein which provides strength and contains the nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, oil glands and upper part of the hair follicle.
- New Skin, Every 14 Days – The skin is in a constant state of renewal as cells from below divide and replenish aging cells above. Every 14 days the external skin surface is renewed, and every 45-75 days skin undergoes a complete re-building of its full thickness.
Shaving Tricks
SHAVING TIPS FOR MEN
Facial hair is some of the toughest hair on the entire body. Wet shaving is one hair removal technique that can be efficient and painless, if proper technique is followed. To achieve a close, comfortable shave, follow these steps:
- Wash your face with soap and warm water to remove oils from the hair and skin, and to allow whisker softening to occur. Or better yet, shave after a shower when hair is fully saturated with water.
- Next apply a thick layer of shaving cream or gel, and allow it to sit on skin approximately three minutes. Keeps moisture on the skin to enhance softening. Reduces friction caused by the razor going over the skin’s surface. Carries away debris removed by the razor blade. Enables you to see the area already shaved.
- Remember to shave in the direction of hair growth. Take your time and shave carefully over sensitive areas. For a closer shave, carefully shave against the grain of hair growth.
- Immediately rinse with cold water to remove any traces of soap or lather.
- Complete your shaving regimen with an aftershave product to soothe sensitive areas. Skin can be irritated by the alcohol found in many aftershave splashes, so use a cream or gel aftershave product if you have sensitive skin.
- Use a clean, sharp blades. Newer blades require less force to cut through the hair than dull blades. Since you don’t need much pressure with a new blade, you’ll reduce the risk of nicks and cuts.
After-shave activities: Give your skin 30 minutes off
Skin is at its most sensitive immediately after shaving. To prevent inflammation, let skin rest at least 30 minutes before: Applying lotions, moisturizers or medications. If you must moisturize immediately following shaving, select a cream formula rather than a lotion, and avoid exfoliating moisturizers that may contain alpha hydroxy acids.
Going swimming. Freshly shaved skin is vulnerable to the stinging effects of chlorine and salt water, as well as suntan lotions and sunscreens that contain alcohol.
How is your shaving experence? Is it the Best Shave Possible?
This post was sponsored by Schick Hydro®, so go follow them on Facebook and Twitter.