How to wet shave effectively?

By Super Admin

Shaving has been a part of male experience ever since the prehistoric period. Shaving method and tools have gone much beyond the imaginations. But still many men feel wet shave more comfortable and thus even with today"s high-tech razors, lots of men still get nicks, cuts, and razor burn.

Wet shaving means keeping your face wet with plenty of hot water before, and during, the entire shave. Wet-shaving gives you more effective shaves and better looking skin. The hot water opens the pores of your skin and relaxes your facial muscles, and it softens your whiskers for more effective cutting. Taking care of few things may make your shaving a soft experience without any of the skin irritations, redness and burning sensation.

Tools you need
A good razor: Razor should be sharp enough. Avoid using bent one or rusty razor. Fix the razor properly to the handle.

Shaving Brush: A good badger-hair shaving brush is the single most important ingredient in getting the perfect shave. Perfect brushes will absorb a good amount of water.

Shaving Cream: Shaving cream will soften the hairs and will make shaving more easier. Use a good quality shaving cream.

Hot Water: Water is essential for wet shaving, preferably hot water to avoid infection if you cut your face while shaving.

Aftershave Lotion: After shave lotion helps to give a good fragrance after shave also avoid infections.

How to wet-shave
When you first wake up in the morning, your skin tends to be puffy and swollen. If you shave in the mornings, wait until at least 20 minutes after you have woken up before you begin your shave to let the puffiness go down. When your skin has reached its normal tautness, the hairs will be closer to the surface and easier to shave.

Start by dipping the shaving brush in hot water. Then remove your brush from the water, hold it upside down until water stops pouring out of it, and then you"re ready to apply the cream. If you"ve got a tub of shaving cream, swirl the wet tips of your brush around in a circular motion on the surface of the cream until you get a small amount of visible white lather. Now apply the cream on your face with the shaving brush. Up and down motions of brush may easily do it. Keep at it for a minute or so until you"ve got a thick, opaque layer of rich lather covering the shaving area.

Now it is time to pick up the razer. First shave downward on your face and neck, with the direction your whiskers grow. If you want a closer shave, wet your face again, lather up again, and shave very lightly upward. Once you"re done shaving, rinse your face with cold water to close the pores. Pat your face with a clean towel and apply a good non-alcohol-based after-shave or moisturizer.

Care of the Brush&Razor
Rinse and flick dry the shaving brush and razor. Shaving brushes should always be allowed to dry naturally, with the hair pointing downward in a suitable stand, to prevent moisture seeping into the base of the brush. Never store a shaving brush in a closed cupboard where mildew may form. Regularly rinse your razor in hot water. If necessary, tap it on the sink to dislodge clogged hair and cream or gel . A clogged blade will not perform well.