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| Issue #24, September 8, 2006 |
The Y Factor with Christian McLean
Close Shave
As early as 3000 B.C. men were shaving with razors. The Egyptians were the first to use metal (copper) to shave. Before them, men used clamshells to pull individual hairs from their face – a long and somewhat painful task. In ancient Greece, Alexander the Great made sure to shave before setting foot on the battlefield and here we are in the 21st century complaining about shaving before work. While many offices have become more lax about the clean cut look, a fresh shave on a Monday morning still helps give you the appearance of a young go-getter and not someone who spent the whole weekend with a 5 o’clock-turned-2-day shadow.
Whether you shave every day or every four days, shaving correctly can make all the difference. So here’s how it’s done. Shave in the shower. I know it sounds silly, but it really is the best way to do it. Invest in one of those shower mirrors that doesn’t fog. A great way to get started is to use an exfoliating scrub or even an exfoliating mask, which will remove dead skin and begin to soften your bristly beard. Invest in some pre-shave oil. The oil will also help to soften the beard. Put a small amount in your hands and rub it into the hair. Once the oil is rubbed in, apply shaving cream to the beard and lather for about 30 seconds. If you are looking to get fancy, you can invest in a shaving cream brush and shaving soap. It’s the old fashioned way, but still works because the bristles from the brush get in and work the hairs a little closer than your hands would. The other option is a regular can of shaving cream. This is just fine, as long as you stay away from menthol and benzocaine based creams, which actually constrict pores and can cause irritation. Shaving cream further softens the beard and creates a protective layer between the razorblades and the skin.
Selecting the proper razor can be difficult. I use the Mache 3 Turbo. Though I actually like the Sensor XL better, but I don’t think they make it anymore. I’ve heard the 5-blade Fusion is good as well, but it seems rather bulky, like using a flame thrower to light a cigarette. Whichever you choose, make sure the blade is sharp and you go with the grain when you shave. This will help to prevent nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. If you want an even close shave, once you have gone with the grain, you can re-lather your face and go lightly against the grain, minimizing irritation. While shaving, always rinse with hot water. The reason the shower is great is that the pressure from the shower nozzle is greater than that out of the average sink, so it cleans out more of the cut hairs from the razor, and the heat also opens the pores.
Once you have finished your shave, be sure to use an after shave lotion, which works as an antiseptic. Avoid ones with alcohol as they can dry and irritate the skin. Keep skin moisturized as a means of preventing ingrown hairs, which come about from improper shaving techniques or curly facial hair that gets trapped in its pore. For correcting ingrown hairs, there are products on the market such as The Art of Shaving’s Ingrown Hair Night Cream, which contains essential oils and natural elements that will soften the skin and help prevent this problem. If an ingrown hair does occur, do not try to play surgeon and dig it out with a pair of tweezers. This will only irritate the skin, possibly cause scarring and more ingrown hairs.
I think that’s about it. It isn’t exactly rocket science, no matter how many blades are on your razor. If you follow these simple tips, you could make your face a little smoother and maybe you’ll be ready to battle the workday like Alexander the Great.
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