How Long Do Disposable Shavers Last

The allure of a disposable shaver is plain – they’re highly affordable, easy to use, and readily available. Just put on some shaving cream and you’re all set to shave. Plus, the fact that you don’t have to worry too much about batteries and tiresome long-term maintenance only sweetens an already sweet tool. But here’s the little catch: disposable shavers are called disposable for a good reason. They’re meant to be used for short periods of time before needing swift replacement. Sure, you say, that makes sense but how on earth can I tell when it’s time to open up a fresh pack of shavers?
This is where our article comes in. We’ll go over the things you should keep an eye out for in any used shaver and we’ll even answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to disposable shavers.
Signs That Your Shaver Needs Replacement
To answer the seminal question how long do disposable shavers last? we’ll start by conceding that there isn’t any singular answer to this. It depends precisely on how well you take care of your shaver, how often you shave, and whether your shaver has started to show signs of rust. Your eyes and your unique circumstances will be the best judge when it comes to answering this question. Just keep a look out for the three things we’ve listed below:
A dull blade.
If you’re finding yourself needing to add more pressure than usual while shaving to cut off what once took a single, effortless swipe, you can be sure that your shaver’s blades have dulled. It also could be a sign that some hairs and pieces of dirt are clogging up the blades. Getting around this is pretty simple though – simply rinse your shaver in warm water and let it soak for up to twenty minutes. Swirl it around in circles for a bit to ensure you get out any gritty bits of dirt between the blades before letting it dry for up to an hour. This should help add some additional shaves to your shaver’s overall lifespan but if you still find your shaver inefficient after cleaning it, it’s high time to throw it away.
Rust.
Now a rusty shaver isn’t necessarily a dull shaver but it’s definitely one that needs swift replacement. Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the rusting process here – rust removal is an incredibly technical process that professionals dedicate a lifetime to master.
Perhaps next time you can try minimizing the onset of rust by taking additional steps such as drying your shaver after every use, applying a dollop of baby oil after every use, and storing your shaver in a dry environment. Just make sure to never use a rusty shaver as it can cause dangerous infections as it’s covered in all sorts of nasty bacteria!
Usage.
By far the trickiest thing to adhere to especially when we’re trying to save money, even if your razor looks and feels fine, it’s still good practice to replace it depending on how often you shave. This may seem unnecessary but trust us on this, it’ll always ensure you get the best, safest, and cleanest cuts possible which’ll pay dividends in the future in terms of your own general health. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this, but the general rule of thumb is if you shave on a daily basis, you should expect your shaver to last you a good two weeks at maximum.
Conversely, if you shave only twice or thrice a week, your shaver should be good for about six weeks so long as you take proper care of it. On a similar note, expect the thickness and length of your hair to play a significant role too. If your hair tends to err on the finer side of things, you can expect your shaver to last a little longer than average though the total opposite will apply if you have coarser and thicker hair!
Are there any other tricks I can use to make my shaver last longer?
The most effective thing to do is to simply store your shaver properly. This means ensuring that no water is left on your shaver after using it and keeping it in as dry an environment as possible either within your bathroom’s wardrobe or outside your bathroom entirely. Besides this, by ensuring that your skin is properly moisturized (e.g. in the shower) before shaving along with your facial and body hair (e.g. via shaving cream), you’ll generate far less friction during the actual shaving.
This puts a lot less strain on your shaver’s razors which’ll not only ensure a more uniform and effortless cut but also acts to prolong the overall lifespan of your shaver. Of course, just don’t forget to wipe off any excess residue and stray hairs once your done shaving!
What exactly is a disposable shaver? Aren’t all shavers the same?
Essentially in the world of shavers, you can divide every product by whether they are disposable or not. Non-disposable shavers are products that are meant to be reused over a long period of time. Think of electric rotary shavers for example. On the other hand, disposable shavers are more of a temporary product.
They’re meant to be used for a handful of times and are then intended to be replaced which often isn’t too prohibitive in terms of cost due to their cheap price range. They’re also incredibly small and are an ideal pick for those intending to travel a lot or those with more spatially constricted living spaces.
How can I properly throw away by shaver?
Because shavers are sharp, it’s always a good idea to dispose of them properly. We’d recommend putting on your shaver’s little blade case and then collecting them in a sturdy container. Once your little container is full, simply dispose of it as you will. You can either recycle it or just throw it away.