This is a guest post courtesy of Paul Agelidis, the Founder and Owner at Revolucion, a cigar, tobacco and men’s gift shop in beautiful Vancouver, BC.
Shaving is a daily ritual for most men. When it doesn’t go right, the misery can be constant and cumulative. One of the most common problems experienced by men is angry red bumps that appear after shaving. These may appear like acne, or a small rash, but either symptom points to the same cause: facial irritation.
Many men experience sensitive skin. It’s often genetic. Sensitive skin may respond negatively to many different parts of the shaving process, but it’s possible to prevent a bad reaction entirely by including the right products in your personal shaving kit. Here are some tips and products that can help you improve your shaving experience.
A New or Properly-Maintained Blade
The sharpness of the blade is a major factor in the closeness and comfort of the shave. Sharper blades make for more effective cutting tools, and therefore produce a cleaner shave. Blades that are dull or even slightly chipped can drag and pull on the skin, reliably kicking up the red bumps that are so well-known to frustrated shavers.
The blades used in disposable razors are often brittle and they can easily lose their sharpness or develop small ruts just in the presence of the moderate moisture in your bathroom. Particularly thick facial hair can wear out the condition of these blades after only a couple uses. A straight razor or safety razor, when added to your shaving kit, can save you from a lot of facial irritation.
If you have sensitive skin, a razor that can be sharpened to prime condition just before each shave is really the best option. You’ll have a far lower risk of irritating your face, but remember that these type of razors are only reliable when they are cared for properly. That’s why an adequate sharpening tool should also be part of your kit.
A Reliable Tool for Sharpening
You may have decided to go with either the straight razor or safety razor in the previous step, or you may have also decided that the blade is not the part bothering you and stuck with some disposable. In any case, you will need to make sure that you have the proper tools to guarantee the sharpness remains for your preferred style of shaving tool.
Fortunately, there are some classic option that have both stood the test of time and been updated for the look of modern bathrooms. Straight razors can be sharpened with leather straps, and safety razors can be sharpened with stone or special sharpening blocks. Add a high-quality sharpening tool to your kit to keep skin irritation at bay.
A Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin
Using your shaving cream correctly is important if you want to keep your face smooth after a shave. You need to make sure that there is enough to cover the entire shaving area fully. However, even the best technique can’t save you if you don’t shop around for the right shaving cream. If your skin is becoming bumpy and painful after shaving, the answer could be updating your kit with a much better cream.
Take some time to shop around for different creams so that you can test each one for how your skin responds. It may be worth looking into creams that are specifically designed for sensitive skin. Give yourself at least a week with each option so that you’re sure about whether or not the skin is responding.
Razor Cleaning Solution
There is one final product that you’ll need if you want the least irritating shave, and that’s a proper cleaning solution for your razor. Even if fully sharpened, your razor can still cause irritation if it’s carrying bacteria or chemicals from your last shave. A cleaning solution designed for razors can help remove the irritants.
An Aftershave That’s Gentle
The next step in your shave may also be the one that’s causing your irritation. Aftershave is usually applied just after the shave is complete and the cream has been washed off. Red bumps that appear after this stage may be responding directly to the aftershave.
Aftershaves commonly include alcohol and other ingredients that can either irritate skin or dry out skin that already has problems with moisture. Test different options to see if a new option can resolve your skin irritation.
A Daily Facial Moisturizer
Add a daily moisturizer to your shaving routine to protect and treat your skin after you’ve finished with the other steps. Moisturizing daily will shield your skin against being damaged by pressure and heat. It can also help you better resist the moisture loss that naturally happens during hot showers and the shaving that follows.
About the Author:
Paul Agelidis has been the founder and owner of Revolucion, a Canadian cigar, tobacco and men’s gift shop in Vancouver, since 2005. For the last decade Paul has worked very hard to become an expert in tobacco products, men’s care, travel & accessories, body & bath, and gifts & home. Prior to 2005, from 1997 – 2005 Paul worked in the wholesale cigar industry and travelled to the annual cigar trade show (Habanos Festival every February). He loves to share his tips with others who are looking to achieve a complete lifestyle with the finer things in life.
