Shaving is one of those things in life that you’re expected to know how to do (like taking care of a baby or balancing your checking account). There’s no instruction booklet or summer college course. Judging by the number of men out there with botched facial hair styles and bumpy, razor-burned skin, there should be. But whether you’re a whiz with a razor or bungling beginner, every guy can use a refresher on shaving basics. Here is our list of everyday shaving slip-ups, and more importantly, how to repair them.
No.1 - Barber's rash
Of all the redness and rashes that can come from taking a sharp piece of metal to the flesh, this one’s the worst. Dirty razors and towels are the culprits. Puss-filled bumps and abscesses can develop as a result of the facial hair follicle becoming infected with a strain of strep or staph. But before you go crazy with the home-remedy route, a trip to the doctor for a hearty helping of oral antibiotics is the only cure. Then again, so is a bacteria-free blade and a laundered towel.
No.2 - Uneven hair growth
Not everyone is blessed with being able to grow a full forest on the face. Some guys, no matter how hard they try, can only get as far as patchy, irregular-looking facial hair. Testosterone levels and enzymes that trigger hair growth are one part of the equation. But before you go cry in a corner, rest assured it isn’t a beard that makes the man. And unless you’re crazy enough to get a beard transplant (yes, it’s possible for a pretty price), embrace your inner baby face and keep yourself clean-shaven all the time.
No.3 - Acne
From a localized patch to all-over pizza face, shaving is no easy task when you have acne. And needless to say, taking a sharp object to irritated skin can often make matters worse. The only way to cope is with extra special care. The regular regimen applies: Preshave oil or face wash, warm water to soften the skin, and a moisturizer to soothe and protect. But having the hands of a surgeon when shaving is also critical here. Take your time when traveling on a bumpy road -- incising a zit can cause permanent damage.
No.4 - Blind spots
It can be hard enough to mow the visible vegetation, but what about those hard-to-see spots like behind your jaw? Even the nooks and crannies underneath your nose and around your mouth are cause for concern. Using a shaver with a special trimming blade like the Gillette Fusion will help you reach the tough stuff. But your biggest weapon in the war against runaway hairs is time. Spend a minute or two to cross-check your handiwork.
No.5 - Dry skin
Parched pores form a sealant on the surface of the skin. The result: flakes, redness or worse, ingrown hairs trapped underneath the dry, scaly outer layer. And while winter’s low relative humidity is the first place to point a finger, dry skin can occur throughout the year from a whole host of causes, including harsh soaps, vitamin deficiencies and sunburns. Fortunately, the fix here is fast and easy: Use an all-purpose moisturizer with SPF every day after showering for soft, supple skin (a blade’s best friend).
No.6 - Sensitive skin
Some guys are born with skin of steel; others you can’t so much as breathe on without causing a blemish to bloom. Blame it on your parents, the weather or just plain bad luck; having sensitive skin is no fun when you’re forced to lop off your beard five days a week. But all it takes is some preshave and postshave rituals to relieve even the most delicate dermal layers. A beard-softening oil, face wash or exfoliating scrub will help prepare the beard for battle. An aftershave balm in the form of a soothing cream moisturizer is the ultimate way to prevent against bumps and burns once the deed is done.
No.7 - Ingrown hairs
This little gem is arguably the most painful problem of the bunch, and naturally, one of the hardest to remedy. An ingrown hair is most commonly caused by the broken end of a hair -- typically caused from shaving -- growing sideways or curling back underneath the skin. And while your first instinct may be to go fishing with tweezers, resist temptation. Grab a hot washcloth instead, which calms the irritation and brings the hair to the surface of the skin. Then, you have a yellow light to pluck away. Topical treatments like a simple salicylic acid also work wonders to help soothe and remove.
No.8 - Razor bumps
You may think razor bumps are a superficial reaction to a razor, but this problem runs deeper. Literally. The medical term is Pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB -- a persistent irritation that results from shaving. The problem begins when coarse, curly hair causes an inflammation in the follicle as it begins to grow following a close shave. In more extreme cases, pustules that resemble acne can develop if the area becomes infected. Stick to fragrance- and alcohol-free products, which can dry and irritate the skin. Exfoliating prior to shaving and using over-the-counter salicylic acid solutions afterward are also a good idea. Finally, when all else fails, let the beard be.
No.9 - Nicks and cuts
The last thing you want is to look like you got in a brutal brawl with your blade. Slicing and dicing can occur when your razor is too dull or alternatively, when it’s fresh out of the gate and too much pressure is being applied. As usual, make sure the blade is sharp and go easy on the handle -- it should glide effortlessly. And if the occasional cut occurs, skip the toilet paper and reach for a styptic pencil or a dab of rubbing alcohol on the skin.
No.10 - Razor burn
You know that red rash all too well. Just when you thought you were in the clear, your nemesis known as razor burn pops up two to four days after the shave, as the beard begins to grow back. Its causes are almost too numerous to name: super-sensitive skin, blunt blades, dry shaving, shaving too fast, applying too much pressure on the razor, and going against the grain. So, how do you avoid becoming a victim of shaving enemy No. 1? For starters, keep the skin moist throughout the shaving process. That means prepping with a shave oil, using a gel-based cream for the actual shaving itself and finishing up with a soothing moisturizer. Then, make sure your blade is sharp and lay off from pressing so hard. A good razor doesn’t require the extra pressure.
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