First Time Shaving | Tips, Tricks, & Everything You Need to Know

First Time Shaving | Tips, Tricks, & Everything You Need to Know

By Daniel Broadley

First Time Shaving | Tips, Tricks, & Everything You Need to Know

Most young men start shaving anywhere between the ages of 12 and 16. Every guy is different. There’s no such thing as too early or too late. You can shave as soon as you start to see hair showing up on your face. You’ve probably asked your dad or a close male family member or friend about shaving, and you might be getting different answers from everybody.


Everyone you talk to will have his own shaving process. Some guys shave in a way that works for them, but that might not be the right way for you. If you’re looking for good advice to help you start shaving, or if you’re a new shaver who would like to get a little better at it, there’s a lot of stuff you need to know.


How to Take Care of Your Skin


Taking good care of your skin is the most important thing. It’s normal for teenagers to have acne or pimples. They’re just a part of growing up. Some teenagers continue to have pimples into adulthood -- at least every once in a while. 


Shaving can affect your pimples. You’ve probably been told that it’s bad to pick at your pimples, and that’s true. When you shave over your pimples, that’s almost the same thing as picking them. You can accidentally pop them with the razor, which makes the bacteria inside of the pimple run out and over your face. It’s bad to get bacteria into cuts, and it’s easy to get cuts when you shave.


That’s why it’s important to use your acne face washes, moisturizers, or medicine the way your doctor or dermatologist tells you to use them. Keeping your acne under control will keep your face healthy, and a healthy face is easier to shave. You’d rather not have pimples, whether or not you shave. Make sure you aren’t skipping days with your acne face wash. 


Acne wash can leave you with little patches of dry skin. When it dries up your pimples, it also dries up the skin around your pimples. You might see little white patches or white circles where your acne spots used to be. You need to get rid of those white spots to make your skin smooth and help it heal. It’s much easier to shave when the dry patches are gone.


Do to this, you’ll need to scrub your face with something called an exfoliator. Most exfoliating face washes use sugar or salt to make them feel a little gritty. When you rub them gently on your skin, they help to remove the little white flakes around your dry skin. You should wash your face with an exfoliator at least once a week to make sure the dry, flaky spots stay gone.


Choosing a Razor


If you’re shaving for the first time, you have to choose what kind of razor you want to use. There are a bunch of different kinds. You probably know what disposable or cartridge razors look like. They’re the kind you buy at the grocery store. You either use them once or twice and throw them out, or replace the cartridge full of blades when they start to get dull.


For a first time shaver, cartridge razors will probably be the easiest to use. They’re designed to protect you. As you get more comfortable with shaving, you might want to try a safety razor or a straight razor. These are a little more complicated to use, and they’re better for faces with full beards. If you don’t grow a lot of hair on your face yet, don’t worry about these kinds of razors. Stick with a cartridge razor for now.


What To Do Before You Shave


Shaving is a lot easier right when you get out of the shower. Hot showers feel good, and they’re also good for your skin. Warm water helps to make your skin plump up, and it also softens your hair. The softer your hair is, the easier it will be to shave. If you can’t take a shower, wash your face with warm water. You can get a washcloth wet with warm water and hold it on your face for a minute or two. 


Then, you want to make sure your skin is nice and moisturized. Oil will help the razor glide over your skin without pressing down too hard. You probably have coconut oil somewhere around the house. You can use a pre-shave oil if you have one. If you don’t, olive oil can get the job done. Rub a little bit of it on your face around the areas where you need to shave. 


Once your skin is nice and oiled up, it’s time to use the shaving cream. You’ve probably seen the stuff that comes in the can. That stuff is cheap, but it’s probably not very good for you. Real shaving cream comes in a tub or a tube. It’s thicker and it’s easier to use. It will stay on your face for a long time, so you can shave slowly to avoid making mistakes.


Shaving cream works better when it’s hot. A hot lather machine will warm up your shaving cream. You can use a special shaving brush to lather it onto your face. It will help you maintain the warmth you got from the shower or your hot washcloth. The longer you keep your face warm, the easier your shave will be.


How To Shave Your Face


Only shave the areas of your face where you grow a lot of hair. If your facial hair is just starting to come in, it might not be the same on both sides. You might only get little patches on your chin, lip, and cheeks. That’s perfectly normal. 


Start by shaving with the grain. This means starting at the top of your hair and shaving down towards the end of your hair. Shaving with the grain won’t remove as much hair, but it’s a gentle way to get rid of hair on your first pass. Then, shave against the grain. This means going from the bottom of the hair up. 


Always move your razor slowly, and don’t push it into your skin. The blades are very sharp, and they’re designed to catch the hair without pressure. If you push too hard, you can cut your skin. 


If you’re nervous about the amount of pressure to apply or if you’re unsure of how to follow the grain, there are plenty of video tutorials on the internet. Watch a few other guys explain how they shave until you’re comfortable enough to try it on your own.


What To Do After You Shave


After you shave, you should rinse out your razor very well and leave it somewhere to dry. Don’t put it in a drawer or in a storage case. You want the air to be able to get rid of the water on the blades. You’ll want to replace the blades every three to five times you shave to make sure you’re never shaving with a dull blade.


Afterwards, you can apply a product like an aftershave balm to help keep your skin clean and moisturized. Aftershave balms can help reduce the appearance of things like razor burn, which is a problem that a lot of new shavers run into.


Conclusion


Don’t be nervous about your first time shaving. If you’re a little worried, you can always ask your dad, your grandpa, uncle, or an experienced friend to help you through your first experience. 


After you’ve done it a few times, you’ll see how easy it really is. Always take good care of your skin and shave patiently. Taking your time and learning to steady your hand will keep your face smooth and free from bumps or razor burn.



Sources: 

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/acne.html 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-skin 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shaving+tutorial+for+teens