How To Use Safety Razors with Ease

Some of us men are accustomed to using just whatever when we shave or trim our beard. That's actually a good thing. Despite being versatile, each razor still carries different benefits to offer to our facial hair game. Knowing the differences and benefits helps in choosing what's best for us personally.

Beginners might get confused on what's the deal with safety razors. They're still razors, alright – but safer! Safety razors, as the name suggests, will be more experience-friendly for first-timers. They're different from the disposable and cartridge razors commonly used, even though they may look alike.

A razor will basically have a handle and head—something that's common with disposable, cartridge, and safety razors. A unique feature of safety razors to note is that it is usually metallic in color and finish. Its head is also more expansive compared to disposable razors and cartridge razors.

Using a straight razor? Shaving with a straight razor guide is also a smart move to achieve a smooth shave.

How does it work? Is it for you?

A safety razor's main merit is cutting hair only at the skin level and not under. Because of this reach, men who shave with safety razors are far from experiencing skin irritation, skin bumps, cuts, nicks, and ingrown hair. And it also makes you sport the old school energy. Safety razors are from the 1900s!

How do safety razors do it? It's because shaving with safety razors means having only one blade that touches your skin. Different from shaving with other razors that utilize multiple blades in their design. This explains why there is less reaction from your skin when shaved with a single blade.

If you have sensitive skin, shaving with safety razors is a must-try for you. Besides, this type of razor is simple, straightforward, and above all, safe. Changing its blade on average needs to be done once a week, depending on the frequency of use. With that, it's still not that complicated to work with.

After our brief introduction of what a safety razor is and how it's different from other razors, we'll now get into the steps on how safety razors are used in general. After this article, you might find yourself switching and buying your first safety razor.

Four Steps to Shaving with a Safety Razor

The following are the four easy steps to follow for you to maximize the results when you shave with a safety razor:

1. Clean your beard and apply shaving gel/cream
2. Proper handling
3. Shave towards the grain
4. Shave against the grain

The steps are made simple and are easy to follow. You'll be feeling good aftershave in no time. Fresh!

• Prepping the beard

This is the part where you prepare your beard. You start by cleaning every section with your choice of beard shampoo that works well with your hair type. After you wash your beard, apply shaving cream or gel. Because they tend to be transparent, using shaving gels can make the job of shaving more effortless for you.

After you've spread your shaving cream/gel generously and well, you're ready for the next step.

• Hold it right

When you hold a safety razor, you'll notice that the head is not angled. Different from the angle that disposable and cartridge razors have. This means that you will have to hold it the right way to achieve optimum results. Holding your safety razor 30˚ on top of the skin surface is the way to do it.

This helps the blade shave at an angle that hits the strands of your hair just right.

• Start shaving towards

After you get the angle right, start shaving towards the grain. When we say the grain, it usually refers to a subject's natural inclination. In this context, we're talking about the hair's natural direction. Shaving towards the grain means going in the direction where the strands are pointing. Do so with light pressure.

Doing this helps cut the lengths of the facial hair in graduality. Which we will follow through with in the next step.

• Then shave against

After the first shave, you have the option to reapply shaving cream or gel. When you finish reapplying, let's get on with the last shave. After shaving towards the grain, we're going to shave against the grain this time. This step will result in a closer and more cleaner shave finish – and you're done!

After you follow all the steps, finish off your shaving routine with your favorite moisturizer to help soothe and relax your skin even further. If you opt not to, you'd still be fine. Safety razors work gently on your skin surface and you'll see it.

Even if you use safety razors, the principles of a nifty straight razor guide will benefit you nonetheless.