The Art of Shaving and the end of Razor Burns

Finally decided to get rid of that rough stubble or the caveman beard and go for a clean shave? And it starts well – the lather feels good on the skin, the razor glides smoothly through the beard; ending up with a sharp, clean look that you really like. The effort seems all worth it, till an old irritant makes an almost immediate and unwanted comeback – the Razor Burn resulting from a shaving cut. And that’s when you question your life decisions, once again!

Razor burn is a type of rash or irritation that’s an evident sign of a shave not done well. Those red patches of inflammation or bumps on your skin that feel painful to touch – yes, that’s Razor Burn. But what’s not apparent are the seemingly innocuous reasons of why it even occurs – right from pressing down your shaving blade or shaving trimmer a bit too hard on the skin to using a dull blade or, the worst, making the folly of a shave without a shaving cream.

It need not be this way every time. Like many regular, everyday things that go unnoticed, a clean shave is an art. Done the right way, you end up liking not just your new look but even the way your skin feels afterwards.

First things first, however, don’t rush through your shave. While time might be precious during those rushed-up mornings before work (even now during WFH times) or over lazy weekends, following a few basic tricks will end with you looking spick-and-span in no time, and nail that clean shave like a dream.

Prep your skin

The Phy Life- Prep your skin

Shower before you shave. If you’re running short of time, at least make it a point to wash your face thoroughly. The water softens up your facial hair and as a result, the shaving blade cuts through it almost as smoothly as a knife through butter, and you end up with a clean shave.

Blades as clean as Wolverine’s

The Phy Life- Blades as clean as Wolverine’s

Never, and really, never use a dirty or dull blade. Your skin will always thank you for it. Your shaving blade should glide smoothly across your skin without you having to press it down or run it on your skin over and over. One of the most common reasons for razor burn is multiple strokes while shaving and the simplest hack to fix this is using a sharp and clean shaving blade.

Exfoliation is a skin-saver

The Phy Life- Exfoliation is a skin-saver

Exfoliation helps get rid of dead skin cells, excess oil and other accumulated impurities which often stick on the shaving blade while shaving and clog it. Scrubbing your face with a tan removal scrub twice a week not just cleans your pores but softens your skin as well, so make sure you have one in your shaving kit.

Phy recommends: The After-Sun Recovery Scrub

Lather it up smooth like leather

The Phy Life- Lather it up

Dry shaves are a no-no! Use a shaving gel or a shaving cream and a good quality brush to build up a rich lather while you’re on your way to a clean shave look. Make sure the shaving cream applies evenly across your skin to create a layer of lubrication and avoid repetitive strokes.

Phy recommends: The Shave-Easy Smooth Start Shaving Gel

Shave along the grain

The Phy Life- Shave along the grain

This can’t be emphasized enough. Using the shaving blade in the direction of natural hair growth reduces friction, reducing the chance of irritation. And hold your razor with just the most balanced touch – not too loose and not pressing it hard against your skin too.

It's not really a shave till the After Shave

This is very important and often missed in a rush. Your skin needs post-shave care. First, rinse your skin with cold water to prevent initial inflammation. Then pat your skin dry; but do not rub. Apply an alcohol-free after shave spray or an after shave lotion for a cooling effect and to heal minor abrasions if any.

Phy recommends: The Cooling After-Shave Mist

Nail the art of a clean shave with these easy steps and bid goodbye to razor burn for once and all.