Razors: dangerous and safe. Safety razors: what are these razors? The safest razor
Many guys cope with stubble, leaving sores on their facial skin every day. Experts give advice on how to shave efficiently and with pleasure. How to choose the right shaving cream and razor.
Experts give advice on how to shave efficiently and to your satisfaction.
The facial hair of the average man consists of 25,000 hairs as strong as copper wire. A man spends about 3,000 hours shaving throughout his life.
The first who started shaving were the Egyptians. Taking baths several times a day, they removed body hair, sometimes even using mollusk shells. Although men have been shaving for thousands of years, many still regret it, despite the wonderful technology of today - waterproof cordless electric shavers! Razors with four blades! However, many guys still struggle with stubble, leaving sores on their facial skin every day. Experts tried to figure out what they were doing wrong.
As experts say, the first thing you need to do before shaving is to prepare your facial skin. Massaging your face with shaving cream or soap will make your hair rise. All you need to do is lift and soften the hair so you can cut it in one motion.
Most men do not follow the instructions on creams or soaps, or the soaps and creams do not have adequate instructions. First you need to warm up the skin, and then apply soap to it with massage movements. Dermatology experts say shaving in the shower is beneficial. Adjust the water so it is warm. You can even place a hot, damp towel on your face for a few minutes before shaving, like in those western movies where the guys sit at the barbers covered in towels.
How to choose the right shaving cream and razor.
Why do many experts prefer gel over shaving cream? The fact is that soap, which costs much less than any shaving gel, usually foams. In fact, the positive effect of shaving does not depend at all on how much foam there is on your face. In addition, shaving gel tones the skin of the face much better.
As for expensive (often British-made) shaving products, you need to remember that a high price is not always an indicator of the same high quality.
Some men use shaving brushes to apply shaving cream to their faces. However, experts note that the use of brushes in hairdressing salons is unacceptable, since bacteria may remain on the pile, which can infect clients. If you use a brush and bar soap, be sure to change the brush when the soap runs out.
Despite the existence of a wide variety of types of razors, some hairdressers and dermatologists today prefer a razor with a single blade, justifying their choice by the fact that razors with two or three blades irritate the skin. They claim that once you've prepared your skin for shaving, all you need is one blade. The main thing when shaving is a sharp blade.
Today, special shaving creams have also been developed for African Americans, since the hair of representatives of this race is curly and differs in its characteristics from the hair of, for example, Europeans or Asians. About half of African Americans use an electric razor to shave because depilatories do not solve skin irritation.
Practice your shaving technique.
Experts recommend shaving in the direction of hair growth, at least for the first one or two strokes. Hair grows at an angle of 45, not 90 degrees to the skin, so the direction of the razor plays an important role. You can shave against the hair growth during the final stage of shaving.
Remember that hair grows in different directions on different parts of the body. Use your hand to feel the hair on your face and neck to see which direction it grows.
After shaving, rinse your skin with cold water and pat dry, but do not rub with a towel. In addition to shaving, after this process you can also remove two layers of skin by rubbing it with a towel. After shaving, it is recommended to use balms that do not contain alcohol. Their formula is designed so that the balm does not leave a greasy film and does not make the skin shiny.
Rinse the razor blade thoroughly after shaving, but do not dry it with a towel as this will dull the blade. Using a dull razor most often causes discomfort, and some of the hair remains unshaved.
The idea that you should only use one type of razor is wrong. Many men use electric shavers throughout the week, using them in the car, for example, switching to a regular razor on the weekend, and switching back to an electric razor on Monday. In fact, such changes will not bring you and your skin any worries.
What to do about the problem of ingrown hairs? Some specialists and dermatologists recommend laser hair removal for patients suffering from ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal may not get rid of your hair forever, but it will become much softer and the rate of hair growth will be significantly reduced. Therefore, laser hair removal is considered as an excellent solution for ingrown hairs.
I looked closely at the Feather blades for a long time, but either the toad was constantly strangling me, or I was too lazy to go to the other end of town to the store. And then I saw reviews about a good seller and decided to place an order. Buying blades separately is boring and not interesting, but trying another razor is just right. For those who are too lazy to read the entire review: the blades are excellent, but there are some minor complaints about the razor.
The order arrived quite quickly (I don’t remember more precisely, but within a month), and was tracked using an international track number. The package includes the razor itself in a plastic case with a pack of two Feather blades, plus five separate packs of five blades each.
A couple of photos of the razor in its case
The razor is lightweight, the entire body, except for the blade clamping mechanism, is made of plastic. The design of the blade clamp has been tested for years and no unnecessary questions arise about it. I was especially pleased that the corners of the blade are covered with small plastic “teeth”, which should reduce the likelihood of accidental cuts to almost zero.
Close-up photos
Overall impressions of the order are mixed. The blades are excellent, very sharp, I knew what to expect from them in advance, but the razor was a little surprise because I decided to order it spontaneously without studying the reviews.
My first attempt at shaving the Feather Popular with the Feather blade was not the best. Either I was used to a heavier machine and was putting too much pressure on it, or the Feather blades were not the best choice for this machine... As a result, I was left with an unpleasant feeling of irritation on my face, which I have not experienced for a very long time. Apparently the combination of blade and razor was too aggressive for me.
However, I have been convinced more than once that for a perfect shave you need to put together a lot of factors (your habit of the machine, blades, foam/cream, even water hardness affects the result), so the razor got a few more chances. So far, the best combination has been with a semi-dull Derby blade (I shaved with it 5-6 times and was about to throw it away).
This is clearly not my machine; too much effort and attempts had to be made to get a more or less satisfying result. Most likely, it will be sent to the dacha as a “travel option”, in case there is an urgent need for a shave. As a result, the blades came out at the same price as in a local store + a new machine to try.
I'm planning to buy +5 Add to favorites I liked the review +16 +29In 2015, Kickstarter stopped fundraising for the innovative Scarp razor, which supposedly removed hair with laser. It turned out that the authors of the project did not have a working prototype of the miracle machine.
About a year before, young guys from Canada literally put Kickstarter on their ears. Garrett Everard and Morgan Nordstrom launched a campaign to raise funds for the production of the Rockwell 6S machine. This stainless steel model looks no different from classic safety razors. The guys raised the funds needed to start production in one night. Rockwell Razors is now one of the world's best manufacturers of T-shaped razors.
Why did the classic razor attract the attention of investors and ordinary consumers? Why are men around the world increasingly abandoning modern multi-blade razor systems in favor of traditional T-bar razors? More on this later.
Rockwell Razors Reimagines the Classic Razor
Why modern shaving systems are inferior to the classics
Multi-blade razor systems are inferior to traditional safety razors in almost every way. See for yourself.
Shaving quality
What happens if you ask a beginner to shave one side of his face with a multi-blade system and the other with a traditional machine? Most likely, an inexperienced user will be able to shave cleaner with a cartridge razor. Then what's the problem? Why use a classic machine that doesn't have a floating head, multiple blades, a balm strip, and a vibration mechanism?
The question is the price. No, as long as it's not about money. Your skin pays too much for using modern shaving systems.
One blade is enough to cut hair. As you shave, it moves across your face, removing stubble. Along with the hair, the razor removes the epidermis layer. When a second blade is added to the shaving system, it actually cuts hair closer to the skin. At the same time, it removes even more epidermis. Want to add multiple blades to a cartridge? You will have to pay with the outer layer of skin.
The epidermis performs a barrier function. It protects the skin and the body as a whole from dirt, pathogens and harmful substances. It also retains beneficial compounds, such as water, in the skin. When you remove part of the epidermis during shaving, the skin is stripped of its protective barrier. Because of this, problems arise: dryness, peeling, pustular diseases.
Using cartridge systems introduces another problem. These are ingrown hairs and the inflammatory reactions associated with them. The fact is that a razor with three or five blades cuts hair too close to the skin. Because of this, it can grow inside the skin. Hair growing inside the skin causes an inflammatory reaction. Is it too high a price to pay for trying to get a clean shave?
By the way, about money. Replacement cartridges cost much more than even the most expensive blades for classic T-blades.
This is the cost of eight cartridges for a modern shaving system
See for yourself: 100 Japanese Feather blades cost about the same as what you would pay for eight replacement cartridges. On average, one blade is enough for a week of daily shaving. Do the rest of the financial calculations yourself.
Cost of popular classic blades
What if you buy cheap disposable machines with one blade?
This is the way out if the financial issue comes first for you. Plastic razors with one blade will help you save on shaving costs. But there are two problems here: obvious and unobvious.
Obvious problem: the plastic machine may cause irritation
Plastic machines are very light. You will have to apply pressure on the razor to cut the stubble. Excessive pressure damages the skin. This causes cuts, irritation, and ingrown hairs.
If you shave correctly with a classic metal razor, the blade cuts hair without pressure. The necessary force is provided by the weight of the metal razor.
Non-obvious problem: aesthetics
You wouldn’t argue that it’s more pleasant to hold a metal T-shaped machine in your hands than a piece of plastic? With proper care, a razor once purchased will last you a lifetime. By the way, did you know that used metal machines are in demand among connoisseurs?
Aesthetes and connoisseurs sell and buy razors with history
There is also an ethical side to the issue. Used plastic machines end up in landfills. Plastic does not decompose for a long time and greatly pollutes the environment.
What about electric shavers?
Electric shavers have one big drawback. They are suitable for men who are satisfied with a compromise in shaving quality. What does it mean? To answer this question, think about how you test whether a razor has done its job.
To check the quality of the shave, you need to run your palm over your face. If the skin is smooth, you have a good shave. If you feel stubble, you will have to do another pass.
It is very difficult to achieve a smooth skin feeling with an electric razor. This device does not cut hair as close to the skin as conventional razors. The reason is obvious: the blade of the electric razor is covered with a protective mesh. To achieve an acceptable shaving quality, you have to drag the razor over the skin longer. This causes injury and irritation.
By the way, an electric razor does not cut hair. She chews it roughly and tears it off. A photograph of hair shaved with a regular blade and an electric razor, taken under a microscope, is circulating on the Internet. It shows what happens to the bristles when using electric shavers.
On the left is hair shaved with a blade, and on the right is hair crippled by an electric razor. Photo source: screenshot of Google search results
You can even shave with a piece of glass
If you only care about the result, use any razor. The only question is the price: costs and consequences for the skin. What alternative does the classic razor provide? It gives you a clean shave, and you spend less money and have fewer skin problems. But that's not the main thing. Using a T-bar will ensure that you have a satisfying shave. Moreover, many connoisseurs of classic razors call shaving their hobby. Just think, a simple hygiene procedure turns into a hobby. Interesting, isn't it?
Today we are losing the art of proper shaving, but the need to shave every or almost every day does not disappear. The average modern man has no knowledge of the art of traditional wet shaving, which our grandfathers and some of our fathers mastered perfectly. Instead, modern men use cheap and affordable shaving products. It is unknown when or why this trend began, but the tradition of passing on the secret of shaving came to an abrupt halt at some point. Luckily, this great male ritual is making a comeback.
Benefits of classic wet shaving
Reduce costs
- 8 packages of regular machine blades can cost you more than 600 rubles! This is 75 rubles per blade. The cost of a double safety razor is no more than 800 rubles. You can save some serious money by switching to a safety razor.
- Use traditional shaving creams and soaps. Shaving gel costs up to 150 rubles, but does not guarantee a quality shave! In addition, the cream and soap are made from natural ingredients, and the gel is full of chemicals.
Take care of the environment
If you use a traditional wet shave with a double safety razor, you use less plastic than if you use a razor with replaceable blades. The only waste from wet shaving is one steel blade and foam washed down the drain. The steel blade is recycled, and water and shaving foam are easily cleaned, unlike non-degradable plastic razor cassettes.
Consistent shaving
What most modern men don't know is that their shaving routine is absolutely terrible. Electric razors and the latest blades irritate the skin very much, forming a small burn, touching ingrown hairs, the hair follicles of which become red and swollen.
A safety razor will reduce skin irritation and give a man's face a clean, healthy appearance by using one blade instead of several that ruin the appearance by trimming sideburns. By performing this oldest ritual, you will feel like the great men John Kennedy and Theodore Roosevelt.
Tools for classic wet shaving
Safety razor
Switching from a cheap razor to a safety razor is like switching from a horse to a Mercedes. A safety razor is a machine, a kind of good alloy of heavy and strong metal in your hand. The machine is cheap plastic.
Safety razors are not hard to find. First, ask your fathers and grandfathers if they kept this wonderful thing. If not, check out flea markets, flea markets and antique stores. Such a tool will not cost much - 300–500 rubles. If this is not possible, then take a stroll through eBay, you will definitely find something there. After all, you can purchase a new safety razor from a company that still makes them today. Excellent safety razors are made by the German company Merkur. They have different models with different prices. A new safety razor will cost approximately 1200–1500 rubles.
Blades
Today, men have a variety of blade designs to choose from. Experiment with different types of blades and find the best one for you. Excellent blades are made by the American company Personna and the German company Merkur.
shaving brush
If you have never used a brush in your life, then you have not known true male pleasure! It will help dilute the shaving cream and create rich foam. The brush makes the cream foam more, literally awakens every part of it, which ensures a clean and smooth shave and, of course, a pleasant feeling from the touch of a soft brush to your face.
Brushing brushes are made from the wool of badgers and pigs. A pig's bristles are stiffer than those of a badger, so they retain less water. A brush made from pig bristles is cheaper, it costs about 120–150 rubles. If you really want to enjoy shaving and get great results, then it’s better to buy a badger hair brush. Badger hair shaving brush is sold in specialty stores - or you can search on eBay.com.
Soap and cream
If you are an ordinary guy, you probably bought the shaving foam that you could find in the nearest store. This blue or green chemical does nothing for your face, plus it smells like a hospital room. Traditional creams and soaps contain natural ingredients that nourish the skin and give it a true masculine scent. Such soap and cream may cost more, but the rich foaming allows you to use the same volume twice as long.
Technique
Preparatory stage
If you want to achieve clean, smooth skin, prepare your beard or stubble for the process. The point of preparation is to soften the hair so that it is easy to shave and shaving does not cause irritation. A great way to prepare for shaving is to take a bath or shower. Hot water will soften and moisturize the stubble, which will eventually be easy to shave. If you can't shower, soak your stubble with plenty of hot water or place a towel soaked in hot water on your face.
Foaming .
Take a small container and place some shaving cream in it. Wet the brush with water and beat the cream until a good amount of foam is obtained. Apply the foam to your face in a circular motion using the same brush. Having covered your face well with foam, smooth its surface with a few light strokes of the brush.
Shaving .
Of course, shaving with a safety razor, unlike with machines, requires some skills, abilities and practical experience. When a man acquires the necessary skill, he shaves literally in the blink of an eye. Remember the four rules for successful shaving with a safety razor:
- Minimize pressure as much as possible;
- Keep the blade as far away from your face as possible;
- Shave hairs exclusively in the direction of growth (you can’t go against the hair!);
- Shave your hair in layers, trimming your beard rather than trying to remove it in one fell swoop.
These rules will help you get used to the process if you have previously used a machine with replaceable cassettes all your life.
Do not press on the razor as its weight is already enough to cut off hairs. Pressing the razor against your face will cause cuts and wounds - you will simply cut your face. To combat the urge to press, hold the razor by the tip of the handle.
Rotating the razor correctly is the tricky part. The optimal angle between the face and the blade is 30–45 degrees. To achieve this angle, place the head of the razor directly on your cheek, parallel to the floor. Now slowly move the handle down until the blade cuts the first hair. Practice on your hands before you start shaving your facial hair.
Shaving against the direction of hair growth will help achieve a smooth finish, but will result in ingrown hairs. Shave gradually, consistently: it is better to run the blade several times along the hair growth, and you will achieve perfectly smooth skin.
The goal of shaving is to gradually cut and shorten the stubble, not to brush away the hairs in one easy movement. Most men want to get rid of stubble in one stroke with a razor. This “chop and go” technique causes skin irritation. To avoid skin irritation, lather your face and go over one area several times.
After shaving care
Rinse your face with plenty of cold water to tighten the pores as much as possible. Choose a good lotion for your face. Use the one you like best. Aftershave lotion helps relieve any irritation that may occur despite all precautions and leaves your skin looking healthy.
At one time, T-shaped razors, or classic safety razors, as they are commonly called, became a real revolution in the world of men's accessories, displacing previously used straight razors. Then the Vest burst onto the market with its sore “there is no better thing for a man” - and the safety razor lost its leading position under the pressure of disposable plastic razors and ultra-modern shaving devices with numerous blades, rubber strips, floating heads and other bells and whistles.
But a classic is a classic. And today the T-shaped razor is again at the peak of popularity. A classic razor is more than just a shaving tool. This is a symbol of masculinity and audacity, it is part of the image and an obligatory attribute of the original male ritual. Are you also thinking about joining the safety razor club and starting to use a T-shape razor? The solution is worthy and quite reasonable, but you need a little education, otherwise the very first shave with a safety razor can become very dangerous for your appearance and well-being.
How to shave with this razor
It is believed that a safety razor provides perfectly clean skin without irritation and significant trauma - this is why real men like it, who value impeccable quality in everything. But such a result will be achieved provided that the person using it has mastered shaving techniques. If you don’t know how to shave with this type of razor correctly, and in general, you have a very vague idea of how such a razor works, you cannot avoid cuts at first. But that’s okay, the technique of shaving with a safety razor can be mastered quite quickly, and an alum stone will help with cuts.
In addition to the stone and the machine, you will need the following men's accessories:
- shaving brush, preferably made from natural bristles;
- good razor blades;
- soap or shaving cream, a good aftershave; detailed article about .
- container for whipping foam;
- mirror, hot water and good lighting;
- availability of free time - get ready for the fact that at first the standard procedure will take you two to three times more time than usual.
Is everything ready, is everything in stock? Then it's time to find out how to properly use a T-shaped machine.
- First you need to steam the skin and moisturize the stubble. To do this, you can wash your face with warm water and soap, take a bath or shower. In barbershops, the skin is prepared with a hot, damp towel. You should not wipe your face after water procedures - immediately whisk and apply foam.
- The foam is applied with a brush; before the procedure, it must be soaked in warm water for at least 10 minutes. Then the hairs will swell, become more elastic, and be better distributed on the skin. This means that the shave will be better and more comfortable. Therefore, before you get into the shower, do not forget to soak the shaving brush in a cup of hot water.
- After the shower, pour the water out of the cup, shake the shaving brush and squeeze the cream into the cup - a 3-4 centimeter strip is enough. If you are using shaving soap, you need to lather the wet shaving brush on a bar of soap until the hairs become heavy and stick together.
- Now you need to whip up the foam - moist, but at the same time quite dense and thick. The movements should be as if you were intensively stirring tea or coffee in a cup. You may need to add water - do this drop by drop so as not to make the foam too thin. If you still haven’t calculated it, add a little more cream or soap.
- Distribute the foam on your face using a brush - it is important to use this particular device, its hairs massage the skin and lift the stubble, and this makes for a faster, easier and better shave.
- At this point the preparatory work is completed, you can start shaving with a T-shaped machine. It is better to hold it by the tip of the handle, then the pressure will not be too strong and the skin will be less injured. The optimal angle of the head in relation to the skin surface is about 30 degrees. About, because for each model and design you will need to find your own angle. This may take time - that's okay. Conduct a couple of experiments, make several strokes at different angles until you find the perfect one, and only then proceed directly to shaving.
- A safety razor is used in the direction of hair growth - that is, you need to razor from top to bottom. You can try making movements perpendicular to hair growth, but only when you are a little more comfortable. But you shouldn’t shave against the direction of hair growth, no matter how much you’re in a hurry. This is fraught with cuts, irritation and ingrown hairs.
- For a high-quality result, two passes will be enough - provided that you have a decent machine with a good blade. Don't forget to reapply the foam before making a new pass.
- When you finish shaving, carefully rinse off any remaining foam. Immediately treat cuts with alum. While the product closes the wounds, rinse the shaving brush. Then wash your face with cool water and pat your face dry with a towel - do not rub. Now all that remains is to apply your favorite aftershave without alcohol. To learn how to get rid of irritation after shaving, read my.
You can also watch the video to see everything clearly:
Also see:
Once you've taken care of your skin, it's time to take care of your device. It needs to be opened, the blade removed and all parts thoroughly washed. The machine should be left to dry disassembled, the blade should be stored separately from the razor, in the same paper envelope in which it was supplied. The shaving brush is also thoroughly washed, shaken off water and dried. Store it in a special container with the brush down.
What are the advantages of a safety razor?
- Clean shave. Even five Vest blades will not provide the same result as one not the most expensive T-shki.
- Almost no irritation. For a perfect shave, only two passes are enough, and there is no need to press at all - which means that the upper layer of the epidermis is practically not injured.
- Saving. You spend money once on a good device and shaving brush, and then only buy razor blades as needed - the most expensive ones are cheaper than cassettes.
- Moral and physical pleasure. Steam your face, whip up aromatic foam and apply it to your face with a soft brush, and then enjoy perfectly smooth, clean skin - what could be more pleasant?
How to change razor blades
A safety razor also gets dull. And then the moment comes when you have to be puzzled by the question - how to change the blade in it? It all depends on the design. Its head and fastening can be unscrewed or opened from both sides - the latter design is popularly called a “butterfly”. Otherwise, the algorithm of actions will be the same:
- Unscrew the machine and remove the cover.
- Pull out the old blade.
- Wash all parts of the device and dry thoroughly.
- Remove the new blade from the envelope and insert it. Make sure that all holes in the mount, head and blade line up.
- After this, attach the blade and tighten it between the head and the mount.
Remember that the blade is placed immediately before the procedure, but if you are not going to shave right now, store the washed and dried razor and blade separately.
Model overview
- The best T-shaped razor, according to expert opinion and user surveys, is the German-made Merkur HD Slant Safety Razor 37C. Comfortable handle and design, high-quality steel, good weight - all these characteristics provide a close shave, although it won’t be faster in a quarter of an hour.
- The best, because almost the only one so far, Russian-made machine is the “Rapier” produced by the Mostochlegmash enterprise. In terms of performance characteristics and design, this machine can only be compared with Chinese razors from the lower price segment.
- The best budget option is Feather Popular from a Japanese manufacturer. A closed comb, a butterfly head design, and a plastic handle of a comfortable length are the best option for a beginner who has not yet made a final decision and would not like to spend a lot on shaving accessories.
This was a brief overview of the main features and characteristics of classic machines that are rapidly gaining popularity - how to use them, how to care for them, why you should choose them and which ones are better. You can find more detailed answers to your questions in other articles on my website.
And for dessert, a selection of razor-making masterpieces.