# Questions about... shaving **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964 "2010-01-14T18:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/1 "2010-01-14T18:54:31Z")
I am 38 years old, and never in my life have I shaved my upper lip. Nor have I ever grown a goatee, full beard, or whatever. I’ve never been one to care about fashion or what’s “in style”, but for several months now I’ve been thinking maybe it’s time to get with the program - nix the 'stache and leave the '70s look behind. If I take the plunge, how does one go about shaving thick facial hair? I don’t own an electric razor or a trimmer, I just use disposables - even to trim my mustache. Do I just plow into it with a cheap razor, or is there something better I should do? Can I expect the skin on my lip to be sensitive afterward? Will shaving it regularly cause any discomfort at first? I don’t recall having any issues when I started shaving the rest of my face as a teenager, but that was a long time ago, so I don’t really remember. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/2 "2010-01-14T19:00:56Z")
Cut your moustache as short as you can first. Then go into your shower. Take your razor and shaving cream with you, and a mirror. Run the shower as hot as you can stand it. Get it all hot and steamy. Then run hot water on your face, again as hot as you can take. Lather up. Gel shaves work best for me – Edge or the like. Rub it in good. In my experience, you’ll do better with a quality multi-blade than a disposable. I use a Gilette Mach 3, and used a Gillette Sensor before that. Shave with downstrokes first, then up if necessary. Once you’re used to it, you can shave up (against the grain) from the get-go. You’ll get used to it pretty quick. Shaving in a hot shower makes all the difference in the world. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/3 "2010-01-14T19:24:12Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > I use a Gilette Mach 3, Me too. It’s a huge improvement over a single blade disposable. My advice: Set aside a huge block of time to do this. It’s a small area, but you’re trying to cut through decades of growth. It’s going to be like cutting down old growth forest with a lawn mower. Yes, it’s going to be sensitive for a few days. And it’s going to feel funny. And you’ll look like an oddball. You’ll get used to it, though. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/4 "2010-01-15T10:22:14Z")
If you’re still sporting a moustache from your teens, and say you care not for fashion or style, it makes me wonder what hairstyle you have. Too many guys are still wearing their hair the way they wore it when they were in high school. Maybe it’s time for a new 'do, too. Do you have a hair stylist who will be honest with you, and update your look if needed? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/5 "2010-01-15T13:37:40Z")
I’d find an old fashioned barber and let him take it short with scissors/shears, then shave it. Let me warn you: it will feel really weird for a day or three after you do this, but you’ll get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/6 "2010-01-15T17:28:47Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I’d find an old fashioned barber and let him take it short with scissors/shears, then shave it. > > Let me warn you: it will feel really weird for a day or three after you do this, but you’ll get used to it. I’ll second this. Or at the very least, if you have some hair scissors of your own, trim it down yourself. Every time I have more than a few days growth on my face/neck, I use a beard/mustache trimmer and shave it off with that first, and then attack it with a razor. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/7 "2010-01-15T17:48:49Z")
Your skin and pores in that area have basically never been exfoliated before, so you’re looking at increased risk of irritation and rashes. Plus it’s going to feel really weird so you’re going to touch it a lot which is a great way to give yourself a rash if you haven’t already got one. So basically, keep it extra clean for a few days or week, and try not to touch it all the time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/8 "2010-01-15T18:10:17Z")
Bear in mind that some guys really do look better with a 'stache. So if you don’t like your new look, don’t rule out the possibility of growing it back. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/9 "2010-01-15T18:15:20Z")
Along the same lines as needscoffee asked, I’m willing to bet you are still sporting a mullet as well. Party on Wayne! WRT shaving the stache…don’t fret, just trim it down with scissors and shave the sucker off using the same method you shave the rest of your face. And to the posters touting their Mach 3’s…they make 3 bladed disposables as well. ---
**Author:** ![Kickback\_Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cdc98d/32.png) [@Kickback\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kickback_Joe)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/10 "2010-01-15T19:12:21Z")
Wow. With the exception of the 3 year age difference, me being 41, you could be me. I was just having that discussion while on the road with my family this past week. My wife has never kissed me without my mustache being in the way. My children have never seen me without it other than in pictures from my childhood. I told them I was planning on saving it until that fateful day in the future where I have to go into hiding. Good luck with the change. I am truly interested to know how you feel when you see that stranger in the mirror the morning after the first night. Joe As to the Hairstyle question, I have changed mine a few times over the years so I am not totally stuck in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/11 "2010-01-15T19:42:57Z")
The 'stache is coming back, you know… ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/12 "2010-01-15T20:07:32Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Bear in mind that some guys really do look better with a 'stache. So if you don’t like your new look, don’t rule out the possibility of growing it back. I sure can’t think of anyone I’ve known who looks better in a moustache (not counting men hiding upper lip deformities). Can you think of anyone well-known? I’m curious. **GESancMan** , maybe you can submit before and after photos. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/13 "2010-01-15T20:18:26Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I sure can’t think of anyone I’ve known who looks better in a moustache (not counting men hiding upper lip deformities). Can you think of anyone well-known? I’m curious. Wilfred Brimley? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/14 "2010-01-15T20:57:23Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Wilfred Brimley? You could be right, but has he ever been seen without a moustache? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/15 "2010-01-15T21:05:46Z")
I don’t want to think about it. The cognitive dissonance, it burns! ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/16 "2010-01-15T21:09:17Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I’d find an old fashioned barber and let him take it short with scissors/shears, then shave it. > > Let me warn you: it will feel really weird for a day or three after you do this, but you’ll get used to it. This. And that. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/17 "2010-01-15T21:50:26Z")
Buy some cheapo disposables for your upper lip. Just put shaving cream on them and shave it. It will take one, maybe two, of the cheapo ones to get rid of 99% of the hair. Then use your regular disposable to get rid of what’s left. Or if you have a friend with an electric razor most have a back attachment that shaves hairlines you can use to get rid of thicker hair. Or next time you get a haircut if you know your barber well then just ask them to give you a shave ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/18 "2010-01-16T03:09:03Z")
FWIW, I actually prefer the cheapo 2-blade disposables over the triple-bladed (have they done quad yet?) monsters. The head on the 3-bladers is just too big to get the little areas - directly beneath each nostril, the philtrum, the corners of the mouth. With a Mach 3 I always ended up with “missed” spots on these areas, plus I didn’t find that I was any smoother with it as opposed to a throwaway 2-blade disposable. I shave in the shower sans mirror so this might be a factor, but I just hate the mess of shaving in the bathroom sink. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/19 "2010-01-16T04:28:41Z")
Nonsense - just use scissors to get the hair as short as you reasonably can, then shave there just like you do every day. I gain & lose a full beard every few months this way. It will feel weird for a couple days. And you probably have a zit in there you’ve never seen. So shave carefully. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964/20 "2010-01-16T05:38:35Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > FWIW, I actually prefer the cheapo 2-blade disposables over the triple-bladed (have they done quad yet?) monsters. Quad blade (the Schick Quatro, I think?) is so last year when you can get [5 blades AND a trimmer](http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Razors-and-Blades/Gamer--5-Blade-Razor---Precision-Trimmer/ID=prod5537364&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?V=G&ec=frgl_513102&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku5536231)! 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-shaving/524964.md?page=2)