There are all kinds of tips and tricks to shaving the right way. After all, you don’t want your face covered in nicks and cuts when all is said and done.

One of the most paramount tips to getting the best shave possible is to shave with the grain. You’ve likely heard this since you were a teen, but what does it mean exactly?

Shaving With the Grain vs. Shaving Against the Grain

There’s been a long-standing debate in some circles about whether you should shave with or against the grain. When you decide to shave, you have a choice to make, but you always want to go with the grain.

A lot of men believe shaving against the grain results in a closer shave. However, the problem with this is that it tugs on the skin, increasing your likelihood of developing razor burn.

Going with the grain results in a far smoother experience, and you end up getting the hairs plenty close. After all, while you want a shaved face, you also want skin that isn’t covered in red bumps and rashes.

Shaving With the Grain Tips and Tricks

Shaving may seem fairly intuitive, but a lot of guys still do it the wrong way even after years of practice. That’s why it helps to implement the following to ensure you’re shaving the safest, most efficient way possible.

Prep Your Face Correctly

Before shaving, you want to ensure your skin is primed for what’s about to happen. Splash warm water and a gentle cleanser onto your face. 

This will help eliminate any excess oil and grim so that you shave with the cleanest canvas possible. Additionally, warm water opens pores, which allows your skin to breathe more easily. 

Plus, open pores help expunge anything trapped within them, preventing ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Smooth the Skin

It also helps if you get rid of any dead skin cells that could potentially clog your razor. To do this, use a physical scrub to lift the cells off your skin.

You’ll also enjoy a much smoother, closer shave. You just don’t want to go too rough as you want your skin feeling good before dragging a razor across your skin.

Use a Clean Razor

Before you use your razor for the first time, you want to run it under warm water. You should do this after every single stroke from your mustache to your neckline.

You also want to replace your razor fairly often. If you shave every single day, then you’ll want to replace it once every one to two weeks. 

Shave Slowly

As you shave with the grain, make sure you go slowly. Give yourself enough time in the morning to do this chore so that you’re not rushing. This also lessens the risk of cutting yourself. 

Despite what myths you might have heard, shaving doesn’t make hair grow back thicker. So feel free to shave as often as you like. It all grows back the same.

Rinse and Moisturize Properly

Once you’re done shaving, you want to rinse your face with cold water. This helps close your pores, which makes them less susceptible to bacteria and other debris getting in. 

You should also adopt a solid skincare regimen. Once you’re done shaving, you want to moisturize effectively, giving your skin much-needed hydration to look its best and most resilient.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to live your life applying toilet paper to your face because you nicked yourself. There’s a better way, and it all starts with examining how you’re shaving and what you could do differently to look and feel better.

References:

“Hair Removal: How to Shave.” American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/how-to-shave

“Want a Smooth, Safe Shave Every Time? Try These Tips.” Cleveland Clinic, 24 Dec. 2020. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/want-a-smooth-safe-shave-every-time-try-these-10-tips/