Shaving is an essential part of a man’s grooming routine. It helps to minimize and control facial hair growth while making you look cleaner and more “polished.” But you’ll want to avoid making the following mistakes when shaving, as it could negate all of the positive benefits associated with the practice.
Shaving Against the Grain
The golden rule of shaving 101 is to shave with the grain, not against it. While shaving against the grain may provide a closer a shave, it increases the risk of razor bumps. This is because the shortened hair follicles get twisted and turned underneath the skin, causing inflammation and eventually leading to unsightly razor bumps. You can reduce the risk of razor bumps, however, by shaving with the grain.
Cold Water
Another all-too-common shaving mistake that men make is using cold water. It may sound harmless enough, but cold water causes your pores to constrict and protrude out. Subsequently, this increases the risk of cuts when shaving. Always wait for the water to warm up before shaving, using lukewarm-temperature H2O. If the water is still cold, wait until it’s warm.
Not Changing Your Blade
When was the last time that you changes your razor blade? Shaving will a dull razor will only increase the risk of cuts and razor bumps. Furthermore, you place yourself at risk for a serious infection if the blade is rusty. So, how often should you change your blade? It really depends on the razor itself, how often you shave, and your skin type. With that said, a good rule of thumb is to change your razor blade at least once every 1-2 weeks.
Overshaving
Is there such a thing as shaving too much? Yep, and many men are guilty of making this mistake. Make a single pass for each section of your skin, using caution not to go back over that area. When you shave the same area multiple times, it increases the risk of razor bumps. The hair becomes shorter and shorter with each pass, and eventually the follicle withdraws into the skin where it later forms a razor bump.
Multiple Passes without Rinsing
You should rinse your razor blade after each pass when shaving. Regardless of how much “hair” it has, always rinse your blade under running water after making a pass when shaving. This keeps the blade clean, which in turn allows for a smoother and safer shave.
References:
http://gillette.com/en-us/shaving-tips/how-to-shave