Shaving Tips for Men

When it comes to men's skin care, irritation, cuts and razor burn from shaving the face can be a big problem. If you haven't found the most comfortable way to get your daily shave done, read on for some shaving tips to get the smoothest, closest shave possible.

The Hair Growth Process

The natural process of hair growth has three phases:

• Anagen: This stage, about three to six years, is when the hair grows.
• Catagen: In this transition stage, your hair no longer grows, but it begins to shed.
• Telegen: In the final, resting stage, the hair follicles recede, allowing for new hair growth (Anagen).

If you're unhappy with the rate of hair growth on your face, you'll want to shave often.

Smooth Shaving for Men

The best way to shave is in the shower, as the steam will open your pores and allow for a closer shave. Otherwise, you'll want to use a shaving cream with aloe or a pre-shave oil. Let the cream set in place for at least a minute before beginning your shave, as this will moisturize the skin.

When it comes to the razor you use, there are two main options:

• Disposable razors can be thrown away after a few shaves when the blade becomes dull.
• Electric razors are known for irritating the skin less than a regular blade, but they're more expensive.

A barber can also perform a professional shave.

You can easily avoid some of the worst shaving problems by first preparing the skin for the shave. Follow these steps for a close, clean shave:

1. Massage the shaving cream into the skin, which will soften and push the facial hair up, preparing it to be cut off.
2. Shave in the direction of the hair growth for the first pass on the face. To check which direction the hair grows, slide your hand over the skin to see which way feels smooth.
3. After shaving, rinse your face with cool water and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Next, moisturize the skin with a moisturizing men's skin care product with sunscreen formulated for your specific skin type.

Common Contents of Shaving Kits

Shaving kits can be as simple as the right razor and shaving cream. Other shaving kits may be more elaborate, depending on how much shaving time your daily routine will allow.

A men's skin care regimen isn't much different than a woman's, as both are advised to cleanse, moisturize and wear sunscreen. However, when it comes to men and shaving, the routine is much more involved. Many men have to shave each morning, so it's imperative that their shaving kit includes products that not only work well, but save time whenever possible. Great shaving kits might include the following:

• Antiseptic styptic pencil for any nicks or cuts
• Moisturizer
• Razor (single, double, or electric are popular)
• Shaving cream or oil
• Sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Resources

Jacob, C. (n.d.). Sesto-senso smooth shaving tips. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Ask Men Web site: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_100/123_fashion_advice.html.

Men's Flair Staff. (n.d.). Shaving tips for men. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Men's Flair Web site: http://www.mensflair.com/grooming-abcs/shaving-savvy.php.