Do You Use Shaving Cream with an Electric Razor?
Long gone are the days of old-school unsharpened blades, in-grown hair, rashes and irritation. Thanks to the evolution of technology we now have electric razors that can be used very quickly and efficiently, whether you are at home, in a hotel room or on top of a mountain.
You don’t need water and most of the time you don’t need cream either.
Do You Use Shaving Cream with an Electric Razor?
The answer to this question can be broken down into 2 parts. When it comes to dry shaving, you don’t need to use shaving cream. But if you use an electric razor for wet shaving, then you do need the cream in order to get a close shave that is similar to a traditional razor blade.
Tips To Get A Great Shave
1. Be quick and efficient
The longer an electric razor runs, the hotter the motor will get. And when that happens, the shave will not be as clean and precise. So don’t spend more time than necessary; try to be quick and get the job done in a few minutes. Of course, don’t rush things either.
2. More heads are better
In case you haven’t bought your electric razor just yet, go for one with three or more heads for a better shave. Having just one or two heads will not get the job done so well.
3. A higher speed is better
This tip applies especially if you have a very thick beard. A speed of 13,000 CPM or more is required for the best results or a device with a Turbo Mode.
4. Prepare
Make sure to wash your face and neck thoroughly before applying the shaving cream in order to remove dirt, oils and dead skin. You can also use a cleansing or exfoliating gel, or take a hot shower first. Warm water will make the hair softer and easier to cut.
5. Use a good cream
If the product you’re using comes out of a spray can, then it’s probably not that good. Canned products contain plenty of chemicals that can cause skin irritations, and they don’t moist the hair that well.
A high quality cream will not contain chemicals that may damage the skin, and will include substances that act on the cuticle of the hair and make it swell and absorb water so it’s easier to cut. And last but not least, a good cream should also soothe the skin and hydrate it, leaving it feeling smooth after the shave and free of irritation.
You can find plenty of natural products out there that are not that expensive.
6. Create just a thin layer of lather
When it comes to the traditional wet shaving with a razor blade, you have to make a lot of thick lather, and you would use a badger, a boar brush or foam directly from a tube. But when it comes to electric shaving, you don’t need lather, since there are no razor blades touching the skin.
Actually, having too much lather will make the electric shave less pleasant and effective. The lather should be thin, yet still have enough water, otherwise, it can clog the shaver. So avoid that fluffy thick lather, and create a thin and watery layer.
7. Massage the cream against the grain
After you wash your face, start applying the cream by massaging gently and going against the grain. This will help lift the stubble and make your beard ready for a shave.
Then, let the cream do its thing for up to 5 minutes. The hair won’t just soften instantly. If the lather gets dry in some parts of the face during shaving, wet your hands with warm water and massage those areas a bit more in order to soften the cream.
8. Shave against the grain
Use your hand to find out the direction of growth in various parts of your face, and then go against the grain. If you use a rotary shaver, try to vary the directions you move it (up, down, left, right clockwise and counter-clockwise).
9. Use a quality electric shaver
If you just got a cheap random shaver, don’t expect it to do wonders. Try to do some research first and buy a good device from a reputable company such as Panasonic or Philips.
10. Make sure it is well charged
If you are using a cordless device, make sure that the battery is not running out. If that happens, the device will have less power, and it will pull and tug the hair.
11. Use after-shave treatment
Even if you followed all the steps so far, your skin might be very sensitive after shaving and might get irritated. After you are done, wash your face with cold water, dry it gently with a clean towel and then apply the aftershave cream.
Make sure to choose a quality product and definitely avoid those that contain alcohol as they will sting and dry the skin.
12. Clean the shaver properly after each use
If you want your electric shaver to run smoothly for years to come, make sure to not skip this step. Follow the instructions on the user manual, but most electric razors can be safely cleaned with liquid soap and tap water.
Using soap will remove any lubrication which will cause the device to heat and wear off faster, so make sure to apply some light oil or a spray lubricant after washing it.
13. Make it a fun ritual
We know that all of these steps may seem overwhelming, but think of it as a fun and relaxing ritual for yourself. Use dry shaving when you are in a hurry, but take your time to enjoy the wet shaving experience. It will be well worth it, and you will look and feel so much better afterward.
So there you go. Now you know if you should use shaving cream with an electric razor, plus a few other useful tips on how to achieve a perfect shave.
