Q&A for How to Shave Your Face

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Question

How do I switch over to using an electric razor?

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber and Co-Founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials. Svelte Barbershop + Essentials is a men’s grooming company, specializing in men’s hair, beard, skin, and shave products, originally located in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California but has now branched out to 3 locations across Los Angeles. Timmy has been cutting hair since age 13 and opened his first of 6 barbershops at age 18. He is also the co-founder of the newly launched brand LTHR, the world's first wireless hot lather machine for barber quality shaves at home. Timmy and Svelte have been featured in GQ, Men's Fitness, and Hypebeast.

Timmy Yanchun

Professional Barber

Expert Answer

The best way to start using an electric shaver is to grow out your facial hair to a stubble and then use a beard trimmer to lightly trim it and keep it at that length for a week or two. maybe a week or two. Then, once you get your facial skin used to the abrasion of a metal trimmer, you can start to use an electric razor to fully shave your facial hair.

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Question

How should I shave around a cut?

Community Answer

Don't. It will irritate the cut. Just trim it using a scissors and trim only up to the part where the scissors can cut.

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Question

What direction should I shave my face?

Community Answer

You should shave your face with the grain (that is, the direction with the least amount of resistance).

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Question

Which is better -- shaving with or without shaving cream?

Community Answer

It depends on the amount of hair which you need to shave. If you only have to shave a small area on your chin, you could do it without. For a large area though, shaving cream will help.

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Question

Can I shave with liquid hand soap?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No, this can irritate you and be too bubbly.

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Question

Do I have to apply aftershave?

Community Answer

You don't have to, but it can help prevent infections and reduce irritation, so it wouldn't be a bad idea.

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Question

Can I shave hipster beards?

Community Answer

Yes, you can as long as you get permission if it is not your own beard.

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Question

I have hair starting from the end of my sideburns to almost up to my eyes, and now it's visible clearly. Should I shave those?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

What's wrong if my face is mildly numb after a shave?

Community Answer

Body hair helps you sense touch, so after shaving, your skin needs time to adjust and regrow some of the tiny hairs you have removed. I get the same thing when I shave my legs properly; it's a weird sensation, but as long as you're not causing irritation to the skin, it's not a problem.

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Question

I need to shave regularly. Is it harmful for my skin?

Community Answer

You will be able to determine this yourself - if you notice any redness, irritation, excessive dryness, etc., then it may be having an impact on your skin. If you don't have a skin condition that may cause you problems, just keep your blade clean and sharp, use sufficient shaving cream (or a similar product), avoid rubbing your skin, especially when it's wet and after shaving, and apply moisturizer. Never dry shave, as this will definitely result in irritation.

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Question

I have no experience in shaving, so I just borrowed my dad's electric trimmer and started on my stubble. Then I applied aftershave. Now my upper and under lip feels strange. What's up?

Community Answer

There's no need to worry, shaving for the first time (or after having had a beard for a while) does feel strange. Aftershave contains a lot of alcohol to disinfect and shrink the pores after shaving, which can sting a little if you're not used to it.

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Question

Is it a bad idea to shave as a teenager?

Community Answer

Not at all, but if it's your first time and you're not sure how to do it, ask an adult for help.

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Question

I don't understand about the grain, what does it mean?

Mimi

Community Answer

If you are shaving WITH the grain of the hair, you are shaving in the direction the hair grows (downwards).

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Question

My beard grows on my neck from the left to right, should I be shaving left to right?

Community Answer

Probably, yes. Just feel the grain and see if it matches. If the hair on your neck grows left to right, then shave left to right.

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Question

Can I use liquid soap to shave with?

Community Answer

Yes, anything that lubricates the skin without irritating it works fine. Many shave with bar soap in the shower.

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Question

I have black dotted skins patches under my neck. Is this due to the way I shave?

Community Answer

It might be, pores might get clogged due to the way you shave or because you use the wrong products.

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Question

Is it safe to use aftershave?

Community Answer

If it is non alcohol-based aftershave, then yes. An aftershave balm with olive oil or beeswax is ideal. It will moisturize the skin and won't cause irritation.

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Question

I'm 16 and my stubble starts in 1-2 days on the upper lip and chin. Should I shave as soon as I see the stubble start, or wait until it gets a bit more dense?

Paul Beetge

Community Answer

Shave as soon as you see the stubble and it starts to feel and look rough. Waiting too long makes the hair more dense and thus difficult to shave.

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Question

How many shaves are required to get a tight beard?

Community Answer

It depends on your genetics and the way your hair grows.

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Question

Could I put warm water on a towel and let that rest on my face for a little before shaving, or does it have to be just a warm towel?

Community Answer

A warm, wet towel would work better than just a warm towel. Any moisture you can get onto your beard prior to shaving will be helpful, as water will cause the hairs to soften and swell, resulting in an easier time shaving.

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Question

How do I shave my face so there's no stubble at all?

Community Answer

You can shave with the grain first, then shave lightly against the grain to get the smoothest shave possible. If you find that shaving against the grain gives you a rash or ingrown hairs (these won't be apparent for a day or two after shaving), then discontinue shaving against the grain in the future.

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Question

Im only 12 and am starting to grow a beard and mustache, what do I do?

Community Answer

This what happens when you enter puberty. If you need to shave, then watch a video or ask your parents/guardians for help.

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Question

Is it okay to shave over my pimples or acne?

Community Answer

It depends on the situation, and if the pimple is an ingrown hair or not. If your shin does not scar easily, then it would be okay, but you are risking yourself to infections, even if you pop it beforehand. If you do shave it though you may cause scarring and that's never fun because there's no good story to tell your buddies when they ask how you got it. Personally, I would highly suggest against it, it will be painful and regretful, but if you do and go through that pain and torture, just make sure to rub your face with a warm and damp towel with anti-infection solution.

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