Basic Razor Shaving Tips For Men

It all starts here, shaving. Most men start there day off shaving and the first mistakes are the products they use for shaving. For the most part, men's shaving creams contain ingredients that can be very irritating for your skin. Especially for men who have sensitive skin or any type of special skin problem, choosing the right type of shaving cream and aftershaves can make a heck of a difference. It's worth spending a couple of extra bucks on natural or special formulated men skin care products that won't harm your skin and that way you'll avoid embarrassing red spots, itching and burning.

Before shaving
*It's best to avoid shaving the very first thing in the morning. If possible, let your skin wake up a while. This allows the "puffiness" you encounter from fluids collecting in your skin during the night to recede.
*First cleanse your face properly using warm or hot water (or if you are in a hurry, splash some hot water). It will soften the beard and help open up the pores.
*Lather with firm but gentle pressure, moving the lather against the grain or against the direction of your hair growth. This is sort of coaxing the hairs to get up off the surface of your face. Rinse with cooler water.
*Next, especially if you have a tough beard, soak a washcloth in very warm water and place the cloth directly on your face, covering your beard. Leave it there for at least a few minutes. This moist heat will soften your whiskers and your skin, and reduce ot eliminate razor burn.
*Fill your sink with very warm (again, not hot) water.
*Using either a shaving brushes or your fingertips, work shaving cream, foam or gel or even a glycerin soap lather into your skin with a circular manner and spread it evenly over all your hairs.
*Don’t use foams, gels and products that contain agents such as benzocaine or menthol. They may give a great lather but can really dry and irritate the skin, close your pores and stiffen your beard.

While shaving
*Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is responsible for many shaving cuts as it drags over your face and catches your skin along with the hairs of your beard.
*While it seems like going against the grain gives you a closer shave, it's really doing your face and beard an injustice. The hair grows back thicker and tougher. Shave with the grain and in a few weeks, once your beard is "trained" you will get a closer, smoother shave.
*Dip your razor into the sink of hot water, and make a short sweep down a side of your face with the grain. After every few sweeps, dip the razor until you've removed all the hair. A good order to go in: sideburn, upper cheek of one side, jawbone, neck area, other sideburn and upper cheek, lower jaw and chin and lastly the upper lip.
*After each sweep, lift the razor away from your skin and place down again when ready to shave. In other words, avoid dragging the razor across your face. This will reduce those nicks and cuts.
*Pull your skin taut with your free hand and then shave over the area that is pulled tight. This also makes the whiskers pull away from your skin, making it easier for the razor to grasp them.
*Short strokes are a better option than a long drag as they give a cleaner shave.
*Do not apply too much pressure on the shaving razor, because this will cause skin burns and irritations. Instead glide it gently across the face.

After shaving
*Finally rinse the face with warm water water (neither hot nor cold) by patting the skin. Do not, wipe. That will irritate your freshly shaved face.
*Meanwhile the neither too hot nor too cold water will close those pores. Feel around for any stray hairs you may have missed. And pat your face dry with a clean, dry towel. Rinse your equipment.
*Then afterwards, use a skin toner to remove any residue, close the pores and refresh the skin.
*Lastly, moisturize. Avoid scented lotions, they tend to burn worse. Some men like alcohol based after shave which has an antiseptic quality. Avoid them as they tend to dry your skin out.
*For cuts, use a moistened alum block to stop the bleeding.
*Don't forget to top it off with a good SPF 15 moisturizer before going out.

Of course, for those of you who don't want to take some advice, here's a tip for irritated skin, razor bumps and burns. Aspirin. Aspirin is a very effective anti inflammatory for irritated skin and soothes the redness razor bumps and burns. Here's how to get some peace, take one or two aspirin tablets, dissolve it in about two tablespoons of water and then apply that to your face with a cotton pad.

Follow these few simple shaving tips for men? And believe me, your skin will thank you!