In shaving, everything is related to the morphology, hairiness and type of skin. Nevertheless, the end result turns out to be the same. These factors are ignored and the shave is ultimately linked only to a man’s emotions or sentiments. Invariably, he adopts the same shaving system his father used. But the questions arises: “Is that really a suitable solution for him?”

Although shaving is approached as a regular morning habit, a young man starting out shaving never has a proper introduction or initiation into the art of shaving. He just does it… based on what he has seen his father do and what he sees in the mirror.

However, for women, this daily activity resembles something close to a sacred rite, since they have never themselves, indulged in this activity. In fact, they have put a surprising amount of effort into various expenditures regarding this topic…

Facial hair is the stiffest upon waking. It needs some time to wake up as well. Therefore, don’t rush to shave as soon as you jump out of bed, when the hairs on your face are still all curled up in their follicles. And even though it’s a great idea to wash your face in the morning, rid it of impurities and hydrate the skin, be aware that you should still wait 15-20 minutes before shaving. This pause will give your facial hair the chance to soften up and become supple. Shaving before having breakfast, especially if is a substantial one, is also a good idea. Any increase in blood-flow, even a light increase,  which occurs after a meal, can lead to increase irritation.  Once or twice a weak, plan on using an exfoliant to rid your face of dead skin cells.

Straight or Safety Razor

We are rather partial to the use of a shaving brush. Shaving foam does not provide enough lubrication for the skin are cuts and nicks tend to be more frequent. A brush has the advantage of gathering the hairs together so that they can be cut more efficiently. Lathering with a shaving brush also provides the face with a very pleasant sensation. Before applying the shaving soap make sure to wet your face thoroughly with hot water. This action will dilate the skin pores and allow a better shave.

Once your face is all lathered up and the soap has a smooth, creamy texture, you can begin your shave. Always shave in the direction of the hair growth, starting with the cheeks, then the neck before proceeding to the area around the lips and the chin. If your skin allows, do a second shave, “against the grain”. Rinse thoroughly to eliminate leaving anything on your face that can cause irritation.

Using an Electric Razor

If you are using an electric razor, the opposite applies! The skin must be as dry as possible. It is therefore important to shave before showering since the hot water of a shower will soften the epidermis and hair. For sensitive skin, you have the option of applying a “pre-shave talc which has the effect of drying the skin. The use of an Alum stone can prove to be very useful. The astringent properties have the distinctive features of tightening up the pores and straightening up the individual hairs. Begin with the most sensitive area – the neck. As you shave, use your other hand to stretch the skin and make it taut thus allowing the razor to do a better job of cutting the individual hairs.

Whatever type of razor you use, the application of an Alum stone after  the shave is essential. It will soothe any microcuts. Moisten your skin afterwards.

Once of twice a day, you should apply a skin moisturizer cream or lotion. The best time to do this is right after you finish your shaving ritual. The skin surface is bare and the outer layer of skin, which is the toughest, is already softened thus allowing the moisturizing cream to better penetrate the layers of the skin.

To nourish your skin and look after it, you must avoid dehydrating it. This can be done in two ways:

With a hydrating cream, lotion or mask…They have the goal of preventing moisture and cell loss by covering the outer layer with a thin, protective layer.

Avoid using after-shaves containing alcohol which abuses the skin and can in fact accelerate dehydration.