The Shaving razor

This method is by far the most common hair removal method. A sharp metal blade cuts hairs off at the skin's surface. Some razors claim to pull the hair and then cut, thus reducing the shadow effects that some people experience.

'Straight razors' have a semi or full hollow-ground blade sharpened on 1 edge. The blade can be made of either stainless steel or high-carbon steel. Stainless-steel blades are easier to find than high-carbon but they are both expensive to buy. Straight razors with open steel blades were the most commonly used method of shaving hair before the 20th Century. Straight razors are also called cut-throat razors because of their potential lethality.

The straight razor blade rotates on a pin through its tang between 2 protective pieces called scales. When folded into the scales, the blade is protected from damage, and the user is protected from accidental injury. The handle scales are made of various materials, including bone, plastic, mother-of-pearl, celluloid, and wood.

The advantage of a straight shaving razor is that the quality of the shave is ensured by a skilled practitioner. A good shave can reduce burn, acne, and other skin blemishes due to the exfoliating effect. However, now with the advent of the safety razor, this is no longer an art passed down from generation to generation. The disadvantages of straight razors are possible cuts due to slips, constant maintenance by honing and stropping the blade to maintain the sharpness, and acquiring the skills to perform shaves.

The 'safety razor', a hair shaving method where the skin is protected from all but the very edge of the blade, was invented in the late 18th Century by a Frenchman, Jean-Jacques Perret. It was marketed as "The best available shaving method on the market that won't cut a user, like straight steel razors".

The very first American safety razor was released in 1875 by the Kampfe Brothers. The American inventor King Camp Gillette, with the assistance of William Nickerson, invented a safety razor with disposable blades in 1901. Gillette recognised that a profit could be made by selling a razor with cheap disposable blades. This has been called the 'Razor and Blades Business Model', which is now a common practice for selling a wide variety of products.

Finally, there are many varieties of wholly disposable safety razors that are made of inexpensive materials. These are now the most common type of razor on the market. Some have twin or triple blades, and others come with lubricating strips to provide a smoother shave.

For best hair removal results, shave with a good razor, hot water and a moisturising gel or cream. Hair shaving exfoliates the skin, leaving it smoother and softer than before. Apply a good moisturising gel or lotion both during and after your shave, to leave your skin clean and well nourished.

If you have acne then you need to be particularly careful when shaving. If you have a temporary breakout then you should skip shaving for a few days and wait for it to clear.

If you have permanent acne then there are a few things you can do to help. For example, it is recommended that the area is washed with warm water beforehand to help soften up the skin. It not only relaxes the facial muscles but also softens the stubble, helping to get a better shave.

For men with sensitive skin, it is recommended to apply a thick shaving cream as it provides a greater lather. Once the lather has been applied it should be left for some time to soak in and soften the hair. Before the actual shave you should reapply another coat of lather as thick as before. Also, exfoliating prior to shaving helps decrease rashes caused by razor use and also helps to avoid acne.

Once you have finished apply your normal acne topical creams to disinfect any cuts and treat the acne. Remember that shaving does dry out the skin, so an oil-free moisturiser should be applied to invigorate your skin.

We have more information on this subject in one of our news articles entitled Shaving with acne.