I’ve been shaving with an electric razor since I’ve…well, needed to, but lately I’ve been pondering the sagacity of this. Namely the fact that I’m very prone to getting ingrown hairs (and the fugly red marks that follow) after shaving.
So, I’m considering switch over to blades. But I’ve no idea where to begin. Do I need the latest Gilette 30-bladed fusionmachextremepower? Or will the supermarket’s own brand do? Do I need cream, or will just water do? What about afterbalm? And could my electric razor really be the cause of my sub-dermal woes?
A million questions, I know; Thanks for any replies!
I am curious the opposite way. I’ve never even once shaved with an electric razor.
I’ve been trying one of these Fusion dealies lately but finding all the extra blades are not worth all the extra dollars.
I don’t bother with cream or gel, just soap. It dries fast though. I shave in the shower to avoid that and not worry about spattering water and stubble all over the washstand.
Oh, yeah, I’m going to go back to the Track II, if they’re still making them. I’ve found Gillette to be better than Bic as far as disposables go.
Seconded for the Mach 3, but go with the Turbo. Just seems to leave me a bit smoother than the regular one. Plus, I go ‘vroooooom’ with every swipe which is just plain fun.
Never used cream or gel much, I shave in the shower and typically use conditioner which works fine. However, I just bought a small thing of Gillette gel just to see what the hubbub was all about. Early results indicate no difference. Updates to follow.
Kobayashi, if you search around, you’ll find a few good shaving threads here on the SDMB.
You’re basically going to find three types of people:
Electric razor fans. Either because they work fine for them (lucky bastards, I wish I was one of them), or because they’re lazy, i.e. they don’t care if they get a middling shave.
Multi-blade people. Ranging from those who swear by the cheap disposables to those who proclaim that anyone who doesn’t use a 5-blade vibrating mega-shaver is a communist peasant.
Safety-blade people. These are the zealots who argue that the double-edged razor blade is the height of the shaving art, and if you don’t learn this art, you might as well trade in your testicles right now because you’re a weak excuse for a man who will never be half the gentleman your grandfather was.
Oh, there’s also #4-- the crazy people who use straight-edge razors. We don’t like talking about those folks because they’re usually serial killers, or at least they have the serial-killing equipment handy.
Personally? Like I said, I could never find an electric razor that worked for me, although I will admit that I haven’t tried any new models in the last decade, I hear they’ve gotten better. I can’t do the cheapo disposable blades, but I find the three blades work well enough (Mach3 turbo are my current choice). Vibrating blades are kind of gimmicky, but I actually liked the Fusion, it seemed to shave better-- trouble is, the blades are just too damn expensive. Honestly, I’d rather have a drug habit than a beard.
I am, however, walking myself slowly towards experimenting with the classic safety razors. I’ve already switched to a shaving oil/cream combo and a badger brush for my beard prep, and that seems to be helping out nicely (the secret to a great shave is ALL in the beard prep). Plus I’ve always shaved in the shower-- even the disposable cheapos do better in the shower, wet shaving is really the best way to go IMHO. If you don’t use a good shave cream (but why not? A few extra coins in exchange for smelling a LOT better is a nice trade-- my GF has been going nuts since I’ve switched :-), then I recommend can gel over foam-- just remember, the key is to really work the stuff into your beard, keep it wet and warm, and patience (don’t just slop it on and start shaving, take your time to let it bulk up the beard).
Anyway, I’m probably a few weeks away from taking the plunge on the safety razors. I’m terrified to death of them (as many are), if only because I know that the multi-blade shaving technique I’ve mastered for decades is NOT the way you shave with a safety razor. I’m expecting a lot of blood, tears and swearing in my future before I get the hang of it. We’ll see how it goes.
I started shaving with the classic double-edged safety razor, then moved on to various electric shavers (I have owned both rotary and screen varieties) and now I use a regular Gillette 2-blade razor (Mach whatever it is).
IMHO, the current 2-3 bladed models produce the best shave, easiest, least irritation. I have never used an electric that got anywhere close to what a decent blade can do, and I didn’t care for the old safety razors.
“How do I get a close shave” has been done many times but basically get your whiskers like a really excited lady - hot, wet & all lathered up.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist)
Like many folks, I shave in the shower and I use regular bar soap (Dove). Keep your razor clean (i.e. rinse all the gunk off between strokes) and sharp (don’t go whacking the blade on anything, let flowing water rinse the blades clean). Replace when dull (mine last for many weeks).
I’m also plagued by ingrown hairs and so I feel your pain. I most often shave with a 2-bladed Gillette Sensor Excel. I’ve tried the Mach 3 and I didn’t think the extra cost of the blades outweighed the quality of the shave. I also have a Norelco triple-head electric razor that I could never quite get to work to my satisfaction. I ended up with just as many ingrown hairs and it would chew up my neck pretty bad. I also found it would miss whiskers here and there. The one I have can be used in the shower which is nice and that seems to help a little with the razor burn because I can really soap up my face.
If you go with a blade you’ll probably need some sort of gel, foam, or cream. I’ve found that foam works best for me and I even have one of those hot foam dispensers. Some sort of aftershave is also a must.
You guys who shave in the shower: do you have a mirror in there, or is it all based on feel?
Just feel for me. It’s quite easy to run your hand around and feel if you’ve missed something. And, since I shave with a lot of overlapping strokes, it’s pretty unusual to miss. I gotta be a little extra careful right at the bottom of my nose to get any little gomers hiding in there.
Plus I’ve always been extremely nearsighted, so even with a mirror, I depended more on feeling than eyesight – I never shaved wearing glasses.
I use to have problems with ingrown hairs. After 30+ years of shaving and trying every possible method I eliminated them using a Mach 3 and a specific technique. Ingrown hairs are caused by shaving against the grain. Electric razors move either back and forth or in a circular pattern which means they will at some point shave against the grain of hair growth. I shave twice with regular shaving cream, once down over my whole face, again down over my neck, and once up starting along the jaw line. It’s important to shave every day. Skipping a day increases the odds of an ingrown hair.
This works consistently for me. I’ve eliminated all ingrown hairs with this technique.
Thanks for all the replies, fellas! Or manly ladies.
@ davekhps, tried searching but it’s on the fritz for me. I used to be a shaver of the #1 type, so my dilemma was is whether to be type 2 or 3. Forget the straight edge razors, I’m not Sweeney Todd!
Sounds like the old Gillette Mach 3 Turbo & foam is the way to go for the best shave. I’m a bit put off by the expense of buying new blades, but c’est la vie.
Not a personal fan of shaving cream - whiskers are never wet enough and the foam really gunks up between the blades, but whatever works for you. So take a few minutes to prep your face - soap and water, then soak a washcloth in water as hot as you can stand and drape it on your face/neck for a few minutes (the old hot towel method of classic barbers). Then lather up and shave.
A modern razor is pretty foolproof; I like to start above the jawline and work from ear towards chin, then work below the jawline. This gives the longest time for the lather to soak into the thicker hairs. You may find it easier to get a close shave if you tighten the skin, for example when I’m shaving my cheeks I puff out my cheeks. Makes the hairs stand up so the razor can get them. Rinse blade thoroughly and often; if it’s clogged up with hair bits, dead skin and foam then it won’t shave as well and you’ll be scraping crud into your face.
Short strokes in the direction of the grain. Try and avoid going over the same area repeatedly, you increase the risk of razor burn. Go slow until you’ve got the hang of it. For a much closer shave, do once with the grain, rinse, lather up again and do once more against the grain. Incredibly close shave. Rinse off and pat dry (don’t rub briskly). Apply some kind of really mild moisturizer if you like (pure aloe vera is nice, those moisturizers/lotions with alcohol will sting).
Hum, I’ll have to give it a shot sometime. I usually only shave every couple days, so I’ll have to try every day for a week or two and see if that helps with the ingrown hairs.
I used to shave exclusively with straight razors until they were disallowed in carryon luggage after 9/11.
My mother was a licensed hairstylist and the straight razor was the only razor she had in her tool set when I started shaving in high school. (I believe most barber shops and hair salons still use straight razors.)
The mach-20-blade-swivel-gel-strip-glow-in-the-dark razors of the 21st century still do not give as close a shave as the straight razor in my experience but I’ve adjusted to their limitations.
The biggest benefit of multi-blades (to me) is that it’s tougher to cut yourself than it is with a single blade. But a brand-name blade will probably be better than the supermarket brand. Follow these simple steps
[ul]
[li]Soak with a hot washcloth[/li][li]use a shaving brush and soap to lather up[/li][li]shave[/li][/ul]
Valgard’s order of shave is pretty good advice.
One benefit you’ll get from blades and not from an electric razor is exfoliation. Your skin will never feel cleaner or smoother than after a hot shave. I shave before showering and don’t wash my face first. I figure the exfoliation is pretty much all of the clean I need. I also don’t use any after care.
If you want a really clean shave I’d recommend washing first, thoroughly, and using something like one of those “exfoliating facial scrubs” (I have a tube of stuff with finely ground walnut shells in it) - this will get rid of all the oil and dead skin that will otherwise just clog up the blades. It’s cheap (a tube costs $5 at the store and lasts me for years since I only use it once in a while).
Capital, thanks for the advice everyone! I’m starting a new line of work soon so I’m wanting to look as professional as possibly, not a perma-stubbled shaving spotted mess.
