Table of contents:
- 1. Wash your face with cold water
- 2. Do not clean your face before shaving
- 3. Using canned cream
- 4. Shave in a hurry or too fast
- 5. Shave back and forth and not shave all the way down
- 6. Too aggressive
- 7. Do not clean your face after shaving
- 8. Not doing the "second session" shave
- 9. Refresh your face with aftershave containing alcohol
- 10. Always shave with the same razor
Shaving the beard and mustache is one of the routine treatments for men. However, we often make a number of mistakes while shaving, so the results are not optimal, or even cause problems.
Even though you have used a sophisticated shaver, these mistakes can still occur. Some experts have exposed a number of common mistakes men usually make when shaving their beard, which you may also make a lot of, as reported by: Mens Journal and Forbes .
1. Wash your face with cold water
Cold water can shrink the size of your pores, making it harder for the shaving cream to soak in and making the razor work harder. We recommend that you wash your face with warm water to open the pores and soften the base of your beard.
“You will need to prepare every time you shave, either by wetting a towel in warm water or making your bathroom steamy. The more you wet your beard area with warm or hot water, the hair will soften, and make it easier for you to shave, "said one of the barber experts from Tea Art of Shaving in Los Angeles, United States, Steve Gonzalez.
2. Do not clean your face before shaving
Craig the Barber, one of the leading barbers in Hollywood, says that most men find shaving cream to provide enough moisture for shaving. In some cases, that's true, but getting the skin wet will make the results even better.
“Washing your face with a good facial soap and skin cleanser before using shaving cream is key. It will clean the oil and dust, thereby increasing the performance of your shaver, "said Craig.
3. Using canned cream
Several experts grooming , like Vaughn Acord, say the canned cream is cheap. But you may experience redness and get hurt more easily when shaving, because the foam from the cream is not formulated to be gentle or friendly to your facial skin.
“Shaving will strip away the outer layer of skin, exposing new skin that needs moisture and protection. You need a shaving cream that contains oils and ingredients that nourish the skin, ”says the expert grooming who has handled a number of musicians and artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Brady, and others.
4. Shave in a hurry or too fast
Craig advises against being too fast or in a hurry when shaving. If it is too fast, you can injure and irritate the skin.
"I understand you're busy, but there are other products on the market that are painless and can shave neatly, whether you're shaving in the shower or in the car, which you can try and choose from," says Craig.
5. Shave back and forth and not shave all the way down
Shaving in the wrong direction is one of the main mistakes. Make sure you always shave only from top to bottom, or only from bottom to top, and not changing directions.
Another common mistake is shaving too high or just the top, and not paying attention to the parts below. Continue shaving up to the neck, if there is fine hair or if your beard reaches below the neck.
6. Too aggressive
Unfortunately many men shave too aggressively. The reason is, the more pressing when shaving, they think the results will be neater. Though Craig said not.
“A lot of men think that by putting more pressure on when shaving, the results will be better. In fact, the harder you press, the higher the risk of getting shaved. With the right shaving routine, your face and beard will be shaved well, "explained Craig.
7. Do not clean your face after shaving
Craig recommends that when you finish shaving, you wash your face just as much as you did before shaving. This should be done to prevent redness, sensitivity, and small bumps from the razor. After cleansing your face, you can apply a moisturizer to the part of the skin that has just been shaved, to prevent itching and irritation.
8. Not doing the "second session" shave
When you're done shaving and cleansing your face, it's just one more step away for your perfect shave. Acord says you should look in the mirror again and see if any fine hairs on your beard or mustache have been missed. If there is, shave again and then wash your face again.
“The problem with using shaving cream is that you can't really see the whole part you are shaving. So you need to do a "second" shave or shave again at areas that might have been missed that weren't seen before, "advises Acord.
9. Refresh your face with aftershave containing alcohol
Over the years, it has become customary for men to freshen their faces after using shaving aftershave containing alcohol. In fact, rubbing alcohol on the part of the skin that has just been shaved will actually make the skin feel like it's burning, dry, and hard.
"It does not rule out the skin will also blacken," added Craig.
Gonzalez suggested, after you finish shaving, you should protect the newly shaved face with a moisturizer, not aftershave.
“After shaving your beard and mustache, you can give a moisturizer that contains natural ingredients such as shea butter , which coats the skin and gives it moisture, "said Gonzalez.
10. Always shave with the same razor
The razor that you use and have in your home bathroom now, cannot be used for a long time. Gonzalez said the razor should be changed every 3-5 shaves.
"How fast or how long the razor blades you use depends on how thick and rough your beard or mustache is," says Gonzalez.