Stubble is a no go because you have a presentable job and need to look polished and driven. Unless you have a nicely coiffed beard, shaving is usually an essential part of your morning regimen.
The shaving result can often be a bloody battlefield. You sometimes unintentionally manifest yourself as the skin's tormentor. You just don't know any better. But ingrained patterns are there to be broken. You can also turn shaving into a sultry SPA ritual.
Many Alpha brothers preceded you and now know how to handle the blade in an almost academic way. Then shaving suddenly becomes the highlight of your morning!
Adequate instruments & shaving soap are of course very important but also: the right order! In this article we will clearly explain to you how to shave as smoothly as possible and without damaging the skin.
OK Captain Smooth!
You are missing the right pre-shave routine
Try taking a little more time before you get started. So don't immediately apply the soap to (dry) unheated skin because that's asking for an uncomfortable shave with a heartbreaking outcome.
To achieve a perfect shaving result you should first warm your face. So using warm water to pamper the face before you get started. For example, a hot shower is the perfect start to prepare the skin for a comfortable shave. Covering 'da face' with a hot towel for 3 minutes or so is also excellent. Hot towel treatment. Barber Style! Although, of course, this requires some preparation.
These ways get you off to a good start because after heating the face, the pores open and the beard hairs are noticeably softer. This makes it much more pleasant to remove the stubble painlessly and comfortably. By the way, after heating, applying a preshave is also recommended to use. That makes the skin even smoother and ready to go for a pleasantly comfortable shave.
Your current razor is not sharp enough
In general, we shave worldwide with the plastic razor including coupled disposable cartridges. The well-known disposables. Not very environmentally friendly. These systems have various gadgets on board such as rubber strips, grouped blades and a light grip.
Highly touted in commercials by top athletes. You can shave quite well with these and many men, out of habit, have sworn by these tools for years. However, these disposable blades can also cause skin irritation because the multiple blades in the cartridge cause hairs to recede under the skin, increasing the risk of razor bumps, ingrown hairs and even infections.
An alternative is the scraper, or safety razor. With the right technique, you can shave your skin as smooth as a mirror. The same goes for an open knife that a barber usually uses. But you really have to learn how to use it, because there are no safety features.
Most important part: razor-sharp steel! So always make sure you're always working with a super-sharp knife. It prevents those painful bumps, ingrown hairs and skin irritation. This applies to disposables, safety razors and open razors. Just so you know.
Low-quality shaving products
As we touched on above, you simply don't achieve the ultimate shaving experience with low-quality blades or a worn-out one. You think you are in good shape because you are not aware of the sharpness of the blade. That you occasionally cut yourself open is a hazard of the trade.
That you still feel a stubble here and there after a shave is part of the game. Tip: Invest in good blades and change them in time! This goes for a disposable as well as for the old-fashioned scraper slash safety razor with double edge blades. These are significantly sharper than disposables but also require a different shaving technique.
A good safety razor is initially an investment but you will quickly earn it back with the double edge blades. They are much cheaper than disposable cartridges. And you save on waste. Like the disposable ones, these durable instruments have an ever-growing fan base.
Also an essential part of a less successful shave: The standard cans of shaving cream or gel. The spray cans you buy in the supermarket simply don't contain enough fats and oils to make a blade do its job comfortably.
You also need relatively much of it to get a reasonable shave. And what about the material itself. Such an empty canister must also be thrown away. Anno now actually no longer explainable. There are cheaper and much higher quality alternatives such as shaving soaps or creams that you apply with a brush.
These come in various (vegan) types and qualities. A quality shaving soap may initially seem more expensive than the standard cans, but it lasts much longer and is ultimately much cheaper and better for the environment.
Shaving in a hurry
If there is one mistake people make, it is rushing to shave. Not only do you run the risk of cuts, but the shaving result is usually not anything to write home about. So make sure you take a few extra minutes when you get started with the blade.
Being more concentrated will prevent wounds and the result is simply much better. It also prevents those fine blood stains in the necks of your precious shirts. You usually find that out when your colleague has pointed them out to you. Nasty! Tip: Of course, you can also quietly brush and glide the knife over the skin the night before you go to bed.
Then the next day you'll also look like you're wearing a ring.
Shaving against the grain
One way to avoid wounds, irritation bumps and other unwarranted sores is to always shave with the hair growth. So never shave against the hair. This is because the chances of getting wounds, follicle inflammation and other discomforts are very high. Using the razor this way will prevent irritation, razor bumps, ingrown hairs or other damage to the skin. Check!
How to care for your skin after shaving
After shaving, you need to give the skin a proper after-treatment so that the pores close again. One way is to rinse with cold water. You are also immediately really awake. In addition, a cooling tonic, cream or aftershave is the solution. Of course we have very nice aftershave balms that make your (after) shave an exceptionally pleasant experience. SPA like!
Starter sets for a perfect shaving routine:
To save choice stress, we have Alpha's 4 very nice safety razor sets for you. For beginners to experts. We can't make it any easier.
Good luck refining your shaving tools and technique!
En garde!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.