Whether it’s your first time shaving or you’re a seasoned shaver, everyone is prone to razor cuts and burns.
The good thing? It’s not a big mystery. There’s always a reason behind why you keep getting cuts.
The bad thing? You’ll probably get a bit annoyed after reading this because the solutions were always super simple, and you could have genuinely saved yourself years of battle scars if you had known this earlier.
Let’s get started.
1. Your razor is just too old
Every good razor comes with information on how many shaves it’s good for.
But that ‘it’s not over till it’s broken’ mentality often makes us push that limit.
Most Men’s Razor Blades perform best for roughly 10-15 shaves, depending on beard thickness and blade quality. Once you push past that, the blade starts getting dull and the performance starts deteriorating.
You might not see the difference immediately because, at the end of the day, it’s still shaving. But ask yourself this – Is it gliding as smoothly as before?
When a razor is barely doing its job, you’ll get those sudden pulls and tugs. You’ll also find yourself putting more pressure to get the job done. That’s where the cuts come from.
Once your shaving razor blade is officially past its prime, the performance will feel like asking an old, tired person to fix your roof. They’ll do it for sure, but the results will be slow and sloppy. So just change those razor blades!
Yes, it’s annoying to constantly keep changing them, but you have to admit it’s less annoying than getting constant cuts and scars.
2. You’re not washing your razor properly
If you’re the kind to simply dunk the razor in a mug full of water for a few seconds after a shave and then be done, congrats, your face is paying the price for your laziness.
Not washing your Shaving Razor Blades properly leads to a buildup of hair and cream/foam, which in turn affects the performance of your razor.
Shaving with a razor that already has hair stuck in it will lead to you constantly running the razor over the same area to get the desired smooth look, only to be left with burns and cuts.
For the best shaving experience, rinse the razor thoroughly with warm water before you shave. This gets rid of old buildup and helps soften whatever residue is stuck between the blades.
Post shave, simply wash your razor under warm running water. Don’t worry, you don’t need to use soap. If there’s still hair clogged up, soak your razor in warm water for a while so the hair softens, then shake the cartridge till all the hair is gone.
3. You’re skipping the prep
This is for all the lazy folks who think they can just wet their face and start shaving, or worse dry shave. The prep is what makes or breaks your shave.
And no, we’re not asking you to follow a 6-step skincare regime before you begin.
Simply start by cleaning your face, preferably with warm water, and then apply some shaving cream or foam that acts as a protective barrier between your skin and the razor.
Once you finish your shave, don’t forget to use a soothing and moisturising aftershave lotion or balm to reduce the chances of skin irritation.
If you want to put in some extra effort, it is also recommended to exfoliate your face before shaving. This way, your skin gets rid of dead skin cells, while the hair lying flat on your face also lifts up.
4. You’re going against the grain
In the quest to get the smoothest and closest shave, you’ve probably been told by many to go against the grain. While it’s true that you get a closer shave that way, but you also get more nicks, cuts, and irritation.
When you shave against the grain, the razor creates more friction because it is working directly against your natural hair growth. This increases pulling and makes your skin more vulnerable to redness, razor burn, and micro-cuts.
This method can also increase the chances of ingrown hair.
5. Your technique is just wrong
Many times, the reason behind those unnecessary razor cuts is not the tool but the way it’s being used.
If you’re rushing through your shave or taking long random strokes for quick results, you’re making way for more cuts, irritation, pimples, and ingrown hairs.
Also, while we’re on the topic, going over the same spot over and over again increases the chances of micro-cuts as well.
Remember, slow and steady. Always.
Shaving at the wrong angle is also something you need to avoid. If your blade is too upright or held poorly, it’ll again lead to disasters. This problem, however, can be solved easily with a razor that comes with a pivot head.
In conclusion…
Razor cuts don’t appear out of the blue. There’s always a reason behind them. And many times, the reason is you.
Shaving is actually pretty simple and easy, as long as you do it the right way and give it the time and attention it needs.
So, get yourself the right razor, prep your skin the right way, and voila, your shave is smooth and cut-free.
