Shaving Tips from Genco

Achieving a professional standard shave at home requires preparation and some nouse. We’ve put together some tips that will help you achieve baby-bottom-smooth skin and reduce the occurrence of in-growing hairs. In addition we recommend that you incorporate a skin regime into your daily routine to ensure that your skin always looks its best and is protected from sun and environmental damage. A good skin regime combats against the signs of aging and gives you an overall healthier look.

Take your time to soften your stubble

Shave after your shower, or apply a hot towel to your stubble for approx 30 secs. This will soften the stubble making it easier to shave.

Use a combination of a facial scrub and cleanser to lift the hairs for shaving

Use a facial cleanser and scrub to slough away layers of dead skin cells. This lifts the facial hears allowing you to get closer with the blade. This also reduces the occurrence of in-growing hairs. (Be careful with the scrub - make sure you understand how often a particular scrub should be used – mild scrubs can be used every other day, whilst stronger scrubs should only be used once or twice a week.)

Shaving technique

We advise that you use short strokes and use a sharp blade (maximum 5 shaves per blade). Rinse the blade often under hot water to keep the blade sharp. We recommend the use of a badger shaving brush as it maintains its heat and it lifts the facial hair and evenly distributes the shave cream.

Use your non-shaving hand to stretch the skin whilst you’re shaving a particular area. This pulls the skin taut and exposes more of the hair to allow you to get closer with the blade.

Shaving against the grain

In order to achieve baby-bottom-smooth skin, you need to shave with the grain, and then follow-up with another shave against the grain. Our experience has shown that contrary to popular advice, you can shave against the grain, provided you follow the tips below:

i) Make sure the blade you’re using is really sharp

ii) Ensure that you have a well-lathered face and a good quality shave ‘medium’ (see below)

Use a good quality shaving cream or shave oil

It is worth experimenting with different types of shave ‘medium’. A good quality shave cream or a shave oil or a combination of both makes a big difference to the shave experience. A good shave ‘medium’ will give you a smoother experience and give you the confidence to get close (and the confidence to go against the grain). This is especially important for men with coarse or curly hair as a good quality shave ‘medium’ reduces the risk of razor burn and shaving rash.

Dealing with in-growing hairs

Firstly, do not squeeze or extract the hair using tweezers. Our advice is to massage the affected area with a facial wash and scrub, using both your thumbs in a circular motion to help release the trapped hair. Regular professional shaves, will eradicate the problem completely.

Use a cold flannel after the shave to close the pores

This helps reduce irritation from razor burn and minimises the occurrence of a shaving rash. If you experience blood spotting after your shave this will stop the spotting as pores are closed.

Moisturise

Always finish off your shave by applying a moisturiser to help soothe and keep the skin supple, crucial for encouraging the most comfortable of shaves. We also recommend that you use a moisturiser that has sun-block within it. A closely shaved face is particularly prone to sun damage even on cloudy overcast days.