Guide to smooth shaving using a cartridge razor
Written by Advice Team on February 10, 2018There is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to shave your legs and noticing the return of stubble only a few hours later. Unfortunately, there’s no way around the speed of hair growth but there are certain steps that can be taken to achieve a smoother shave with a razor.
We’ve put together 10 of our best tips for achieving the smoothest possible shave with your cartridge razor.
Exfoliate
It’s always a good idea to exfoliate prior to shaving. Whether that’s your legs, underarms or bikini line, it’s important to remove any dead skin cells or product on your skin. By exfoliating, you’re creating a clean canvas for the blade to glide over.
Shave in your shower or bath
Take the time to enjoy your relaxing bath or hot shower before you turn to shaving. It’s always best to let hair and skin soften before taking the blade to skin. The hairs are less likely tug when they’re softer and after exfoliating, any stubborn hairs that might have stuck to the skin should have lifted ready for the blade.
Pre-shave cream, foam or gel
It’s a common rule of thumb to never dry shave. We’ve all been guilty of it from time to time but dragging the blade across dry skin will cause discomfort and irritation. Choose a pre-shave gel, foam or cream to create a lather over the skin. It not only protects the skin but makes for a cleaner and smoother shave.
Use a cartridge with multiple blades
Cartridges with multiple blades mean time saved in the long run. The more blades a razor has, the easier it is to catch missed hair and further ensure a smooth shave. Just make sure you’re always rinsing the blade in between each stroke to remove hair and product build up.
Shave with the hair
The key to a smooth shave is slow, careful strokes. We’d recommend lathering up to shave in the same direction of the hair first and lathering up a second time to go against it. That’s a sure fire way to catch any stray hairs and achieve the smoothest possible shave for silky legs.
Cold water to close pores
When you’ve finished shaving rinse your skin with cold water. Cold water will soothe irritated skin as well as closing pores that opened from the steam of the shower or heat of the bath water. This helps to prevent any infection or unsightly bumps.
Pat dry
Don’t rub your legs with a towel immediately after stepping from the shower or bath. Pat them dry with the towel instead to help soothe the skin and prevent irritation.
Moisturise
After shaving, some pre-shave products can dry out the skin (especially if they contain alcohol) and if left unmoisturised, it can cause the skin to look dull and flaky. If you suffer from sensitive skin, we’d recommend using a moisturiser containing Aloe Vera which is renowned for the soothing of irritated skin.
Rinse blade thoroughly
It’s important to thoroughly rinse the blades after use. It’s likely that you’ll reuse the blade refill before the week is out for touch ups and if you use a blade that isn’t properly cleaned, it can lead to bacteria getting into pores and hair follicles.
Change blades weekly
Lastly, it’s recommended to change your blades once a week. Blades dull quickly with regular use, especially when a product is used alongside shaving. Dull blades won’t achieve a smooth shave and can lead to razor burn, redness and skin irritation.
See our range of wet shaving products.