In the earliest hours of the morning, a man is more often than not matched against a most formidable opponent: his razor. Sometimes good genetics come into play, and a man can always seem to escape unscathed. However, we are not all so lucky as the aforementioned Herculean legend. In the event that the act of shaving asserts dominance over we mortals, our faces can be left in a mess of aggravated skin, ingrown hairs, and razor burn. Fear not, though, as men can regain their rightful place in the realm of healthy skin. As someone who is experienced on the field of battle, what follows are the necessary weapons with which to arm yourself:
1. The Right Tool
Depending on the man and his razor, the shaving tool itself could be your best friend or your worst nightmare. For years I fell into the gimmick of “MORE BLADES, BETTER SHAVE”, but this could not be more incorrect when it comes to dealing with sensitive skin. If razors with two, three, or even four blades have left you afraid to expose your face to the world, go back to the basics and buy yourself a single-blade razor. For the best effect, invest in a more expensive model than the drug store disposable. A simple Google search will yield more results than you would imagine.
2. Proper Preparation
Skin is a living thing in itself, and needs to be prepared before it can be faced with brutal elements. Wash well with a moisturizing wash and you’ll be surprised how much better your skin is prepared for its date with sharpened metal. Once you have washed, apply a shave cream specifically meant for sensitive skin, as even a standard scented shave cream can be the demise of an otherwise properly shaved face. Apply the cream liberally against the grain of the hair and allow it to settle for a couple of minutes before shaving.
3. Elite Technique
Shave lightly, and with the grain of hair growth. Make second passes if necessary, but be sure to re-lather with shaving cream and avoid too much contact. This step is short, sweet, and to the point. However, do not overlook its importance.
4. The Perfect Dismount
After rinsing your face with cool water, it is extremely important to give your face a gentle pat down when drying. Remember that you have just exposed your skin to an unnatural element, and it is most certainly not ready to be rubbed raw by a towel.
5. Total Recovery
If nothing else is taken from these tips, it should be that a soothing balm or lotion can make your skin feel like a million bucks after taking its licks on the battle field. I personally recommend the MiN New York Solution2 Post Shave Treatment Rollerball. It has worked wonders for me where other treatments have not. However, you should experiment to find the post-shave treatment that is right for you.
Men, arm yourselves and prepare for battle. This time, though, emerge victorious.
Very interesting article. Great job, Tyler.