Shaving used to be an opportunity for fathers to teach their sons something new toward becoming a man. A father would take the time to mix a proper shaving cream and lather this upon the area to be shaved. The tool used to get a traditional shave was usually a double-edged safety or straight razor. This was before the advent of disposable shavers.
These days however, performing a proper wet shave should still be done with a double-edged safety razor or a disposable razor. It may also be rendered with a straight razor though different rules may apply. The use of an electric razor however, will not work best with a wet shave.
The things to avoid while shaving are being cut, razor burns, skin irritation and razor bumps in the form of ingrown hairs. These ingrown hairs have a potential to turn into pimples and can be infected if proper treatment is not given to it. This is what should be kept in mind when performing a nice, wet shave. It is a ritual that can prove to be a pleasant experience when given the proper care and attention it deserves.
To prepare, make sure that any existing hair on the scalp is already at a short length by using clippers. This would allow the razor to glide through easier and avoid having long hair strands stuck in the blade holder. The scalp should be thoroughly wet by first moistening it with warm water if possible. Hair is simpler to cut through when it is wet, as it is softer. Use shaving cream that is of good quality and has a high degree of moisturising qualities in it. The cream itself should be rich and lush instead of foamy. Applying it is best done through the use of a shaving brush that will raise the hair to position for a better shave as well as gently exfoliating the scalp of dead skin cells.
Before actually shaving off the remaining hair, be sure that the razor blades are sharp. Dull blades are one of the top reasons why the skin ends up irritated and sometimes damaged. It is also the reason why people end up with a razor burn even after proper preparations were done prior to shaving. Remember however, that a double-edged safety razor is handled differently from a disposable one. A double-edged safety razor needs to be used more delicately because of the higher probability of being cut. It is also heavier than a disposable razor and its weight may be used to gently cut the hairs on the scalp. Not much pressure needs to be employed when using a double-edged safety razor. The blade should be angled away from the scalp and the shave should proceed with the grain instead of against it. To determine if you are going with the grain or against it, try rubbing the area with your fingers. If it is rough and offers resistance, then it is going against the grain. If the sensation is smooth, it is an indicator that it is going with the grain. This should be done while keeping in mind that shaving with one pass is not the objective. Take your time and shave with the grain to reduce the hair on your scalp instead of totally removing it. This will result in a smooth shave while minimising the occurrence of nicks and cuts. Wash the scalp with cold water to close the pores and apply a good aftershave that will keep it moisturized. This will reduce any irritation while keeping the scalp look nice and supple.
