Dry Shaving vs. Wet Shaving: What you need to know
The washing machine, the automobile, the PlayStation…OK, maybe not that last one, but generally, technology saves us hours and hours each day.
One of those wonderful time-saving devices is the electric shaver. No need to shower beforehand to open your pores up. No need for shaving foam, cream, soap or anything else that bubbles up all over your face. Nope, you can just grab that shaver and bid farewell to your excess facial fuzz.
Some people prefer the feeling and closeness of a traditional wet shave. But if you’re not one of those people, you’ll want to hear more about this dry shaving thing. We’ve prepared some dry shaving dos and don’ts, just for you.
Wet Vs. dry shaving: what’s the difference?
Wet shaving is the traditional way of getting a smooth shave using water, shaving soap or cream and a manual razor. To wet shave, create a lather with your chosen shaving product and apply it to your face and neck. Then, glide your razor across your face to remove unwanted facial hair.
In contrast, dry shaving doesn’t require water, or additional shaving products, and uses an electric razor instead. These electric razors are designed to cut the hairs above the skin, in a quicker and more convenient shaving experience.
Some people prefer the feeling and closeness of a traditional wet shave. But if you’re not one of those people, you’ll want to hear more about dry shaving and how exactly to do it. We’ve prepared some tips on dry shaving, including things to remember before getting your electric razor out, and other things that are best avoided. Happy dry shaving.
Tips for dry shaving
Find the right electric shaver
Foil or rotary, wet or dry, mains or battery-powered…Arrrgh! So many choices.
But it’s well worth spending a bit of time figuring out what suits you best. For instance, foil shavers tend to be a little gentler on the skin, whereas rotary shavers are often more effective on rougher, lumberjack-style beards.
Prepare your skin for shaving
We know we said that electric shavers let you get to work immediately, but there are a couple of optional things you can do to get a smoother shave.
Unless you’re using one of those slightly magical electric shavers that can do wet and dry shaving, it always helps to dry your face first. Just a quick dab with a towel can mean less irritation and redness.
Another way to achieve this is with talc-based or aloe vera-based pre-shave products, which dry and straighten the hair, ready for shaving. Surely your skin deserves it?
Check the best way to move your electric razor
Got a foil shaver? Simply run it up and down your face and neck.
Rocking a rotary shaver? It’s small circular motions you want.
Whichever type of shaver you’re using, hold it at a right angle to your face and pull your skin taut to give the blades easy access to that unwanted hair.
Shave against the grain
If you’re used to wet shaving, you’ll probably know that it’s important to be careful when shaving against the grain. Whilst it can give a closer shave, shaving against the direction of your hair growth can lead to irritation or ingrown hairs.
Luckily, with dry shaving, shaving against the grain isn’t a problem and it can actually help the process by lifting hairs off the surface of the skin. So no more worrying which way your hairs are growing!
Hydro Comfort Skin Reset Razor Blades
Shave up to 7 days of stubble with less tugging & pulling. Protect against irritation
Barber's Style Post Shave Balm
Soothing post-shave balm to leave your skin feeling moisturised and soft.
Hydro 5 Men’s Razor & Blade Pack
Featuring carbon coated precision blades, Hydro 5 is designed to protect
Things to avoid when dry shaving
Now that you’re prepared to dry shave, there’s a few things you should try to avoid when aiming for a clean shave in future.
Giving up after your first dry shave
It can take your skin a little while to get used to dry shaving and you could get a bit of irritation at first. But your skin should get accustomed to it within three weeks or so. And by that time, you’ll also have a clearer idea of the best technique for you, which will help to minimise any irritation.
Then, once your dry shaving routine is nicely settled, you can bask in the comfort and convenience that comes with being a master of the electric shaver.
Neglecting your electric razor
Just like other machines, big and small, electric shavers need a little bit of TLC every once in a while.
Most shavers come with a little brush, which is just the thing for sweeping away hair and dust from the blades. To get to those blades, carefully lift the foil head frame or rotary head off. It’s best to do this after every shave.
Every few weeks, it’s a good idea to lubricate the parts inside your shaver. Carefully follow the instructions in your shaver’s manual when doing this, only using the lubricant provided by the manufacturer.
This little maintenance routine will make sure your trusty shaver keeps doing a great job for you.
