A Close Shave?

[NaokoSmith]

OK, I am just seeking some advice from the guys here.

My nephew is staying with me - he comes every year for a week's holiday. He has profound special needs, so I have always been used to doing his teeth but this is the first year I really had to shave him.

I'm just using an ordinary manual razor and shaving gel, and he has some balm to put on afterwards.

Is it better to go against the way the hairs are growing, to make sure they get caught in the razor rather than slip underneath it? Does it help if I pull his skin tight like they do in movies when they shave someone's cheek?

Any tips gratefully received, as I don't want to send him back with one of those pimply razor burn sort of faces.

Thanks guys!

 

[Handley_Page]

Short answer - use an electric razor.

It's down to personal preferences, I think.
I generally like to shave against the run of the hair.
Make sure the blade is damned sharp, the skin CLEAN, and shaving soap rubbed well in.
If you really are worried about skin damage, try the Nivea for Men 'sensitive' stuff.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Agree with HP, an electric razor will make life easier.

You can get pre-shave lotion, which stiffness the bristles, makes them stand off the skin a bit.

Hope it all works out.

Cheers, EB

 

[silversword]

If your just going for an acceptable shave to keep it looking good then a single pass going with the grain will suffice. If he has particularly dense hair you may need to repeat with a second pass but I would still go with the grain.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Personally, I don't use shaving gel or soap. I use a Bic two blade razor. You know one of those cheap plastic ones.

After I get out of the shower, I just shave. I don't have a dense beard, so it isn't tough and the blades just glide through.

Also I have found that if you use lukewarm water to rinse the razor, you avoid razor burn.

But, if you are doing someone else...use and electric razor. I have one of those too and use most of the time now that I getting on in years.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

You go WITH the direction of the hairs. But there might be a few spots where it works better to go against the direction - but that is usually when the hairs are already down to very low stubble length.

Balm is great because it tends to prevent that pimply thing, or just plain skin redness, really.

Electric is not always going to work with someone with, for instance, sensory issues. And, there are certain kinds of facial that a lot of people have that just plain won't co-operate with whatever electric shaver used.

 

[Macdaddy23]

Go with an electric razor. Straight razors will give you razor burn.

 

[FantasyXY]

If the growth is more than a couple of days worth, first go with the grain and then make a second pass against the grain.

If you shave him every day, going against the grain will not be too uncomfortable.

With or against the grain, make sure you tilt his head in a way so that the skin on the area you are shaving is stretched out as tight as possible.

 

[jsmiam]

Also, to make life easier: Don't sweat the small stubble. What may look to you as a completely unsatisfactory shave, will look perfectly acceptable once you take a step back. In other words, the act of shaving will make him look clean shaven, even if/when it doesn't seem like a textbook shave to you. Nobody but you will notice the few hairs that just won't go away.

 

[Handley_Page]

Personally, I don't use shaving gel or soap. I use a Bic two blade razor. You know one of those cheap plastic ones.

After I get out of the shower, I just shave. I don't have a dense beard, so it isn't tough and the blades just glide through.
Also I have found that if you use lukewarm water to rinse the razor, you avoid razor burn.
But, if you are doing someone else...use and electric razor. I have one of those too and use most of the time now that I getting on in years.

If you get the 'Bic disposable' razors, - fine; but
GET THE ONES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Rinse the blade with every scrape; I use hot (not scalding) water.
You don't have to pull the skin apart to apply the blade, although shaving works better with fairly tight skin.

After-shave is something I like to use, but I prefer the 'sting' of a good astringent (it prevents a rash, but may sting a bit). Some men may not, and, again, Nivea have probably got something in their range.



PS. I wonder, sometimes, if women have similar problems . . .

 

[oggbashan]

I'm no help at all.

The last time I shaved I used my very sharp Machete.

http://www.fieldserviceantiquearms.co.uk/ekmps/shops/lesadamsonaam/images/british-army-ww2-machete-1942-44-%5B2%5D-1225-p.jpg

I don't recommend that unless you were already skilled with a well-stropped straight razor.

http://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/dovo/images/g105.jpg

 

[49greg]

If I was going to shave someone else, I would use an electric razor, even though I don't use one myself.

If you do stick with a conventional razor I would go with a twin or more bladed one, they seem to be less prone to nicks and cuts.

I go down from my sideburn area, and forward along the jaw and cheek. Pulling the skin back and puffing out cheeks help with the closeness. I go UP the neck against that grain. For me the dangerous places for nicks are the corners of my mouth and under my nose, especially if I'm in a hurry, so go slowly there.

Generally for a super close shave going against the grain IS closer. I only do that on my neck and under my chin, since that's where I'm more bristly, otherwise I've got fairly fine and light hair.

Supposedly wetting the skin first, say in a shower, softens the hair and makes it easier to do. I generally splash my face with water before putting on the shaving cream, it's a good way to wake up in the morning if you use cold water, but warm would be better. When barbers used to do it they put warm damp towels and wrapped the face with it for a while, to get the beard super soft for a close shave. I use sensitive skin shaving cream because I have, well, sensitive skin.

I once saw shaving instructions when browsing in wiki - media I think.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Everyone's skin is different. There is no single answer for all faces. I can shave with upward strokes on my face, but must use only downward strokes on my neck. Otherwise, I get ingrown hairs. I get best results with products from "The Art of Shaving," and blades from "Dollar Shave Club."

My wife works with disabled people, and she often has to shave the men. She prefers to use Gillette disposable razors.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Thank you so much for all of this very helpful advice.


Thank you Ogg for the helpful illustrations of unsuitable shaving implements!

We have to get out the house fast this morning as I have to take the car to the electrical garage, so I'm going to let the lad go with the disreputable look to the shops with me. I'll give him a nice shave tomorrow before we go swimming then try to shave him every day as you suggest. (I have been a little lazy about it, as there's always a lot to do with him and I didn't realise it would be better done every day.)

Hmmmm, last year we went swimming young women tried to chat my nephew up! as he has a very sweet smile and looks like what he is - a gentle and humourous young man. I had to rush over doing the fire-breathing auntie act, LOL, so maybe I should try not to make him too handsome!

 

[Handley_Page]

I think the scruffy, 'unshaven' look is quite popular in some high-end adverts this year.
[they don't do 'smart' any more].

"and I didn't realise it would be better done every day."

Great Heavens, Duchess, how do you thing men get that smooth look on their faces?
Of course one should shave daily !

< mutter, mutter, mumble. . . >

 

[oggbashan]

I'll give him a nice shave tomorrow before we go swimming then try to shave him every day as you suggest. (I have been a little lazy about it, as there's always a lot to do with him and I didn't realise it would be better done every day.)

...

Most Men's Hairdressers will do a shave, for a price. If you find a Turkish Barber he might do the full works - shaving soap in a mug applied with a Badger's Hair brush, cut-throat razor, hot towels and aftershave. Think men's equivalent of a long sensuous full facial.

 

[Macdaddy23]

Gillette gets stopped up to easy. Well any disposable razor gets stopped up with the facial hair I have.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

If you get the 'Bic disposable' razors, - fine; but
GET THE ONES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Rinse the blade with every scrape; I use hot (not scalding) water.
You don't have to pull the skin apart to apply the blade, although shaving works better with fairly tight skin.

After-shave is something I like to use, but I prefer the 'sting' of a good astringent (it prevents a rash, but may sting a bit). Some men may not, and, again, Nivea have probably got something in their range.



PS. I wonder, sometimes, if women have similar problems . . .

Yeah, I don't need all that. My facial hair is soft, not wiry, so the blades glide over my face cutting the hair easily. The only time I get a rash or razor burn is if the water is too hot and heats the blade enough to burn the skin. That the reason I use cold water to rinse the blade.

I don't use aftershave nor a lotion. Just a quick rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

 

[Handley_Page]

Gillette gets stopped up to easy. Well any disposable razor gets stopped up with the facial hair I have.

Very true. But a way round it is to use a different (thinner) soap.
OR
Make the hot tap slowly dispense a stream of water; let the blade hang slightly sideways and the soap will be removed.
Note; do not apply the hot blade immediately.

 

[rjordan]

My nephew is staying with me - he comes every year for a week's holiday. He has profound special needs, so I have always been used to doing his teeth but this is the first year I really had to shave him.
:

Send him home with a week-old beard. Tell him how manly he'll look in a few weeks.

Maybe shave his upper cheeks and neck before he goes home so it looks like he's starting a beard and didn't just forget to shave.

Can I come when he goes home? I already have a beard so we can do other things.

rj

 

[49greg]

Gillette gets stopped up to easy. Well any disposable razor gets stopped up with the facial hair I have.

For years I used the Schick version of the Gillette "Trac II". I still have the handle, the heavier handle has always felt better than the lightweight disposable.

Schick had a twin blade that would work in the Trac II and vice versa, but one Schick version had a little push button on the back of the head that pushed a plastic bar between the two blades, clearing out all the muck that gets clogged up in there. They stayed sharp longer than any other type.

Local stores just don't carry the replacement blades anymore, although I have seen them for sale on Amazon, although the Schick ones have Chinese characters all over the package, so maybe they're now only sold in Asia - Like Johnny Walker Green.

 

[glynndah]

Instead of shaving cream or soap, you might try conditioner. It softens the hair and rinses easily.

 

[Handley_Page]

Instead of shaving cream or soap, you might try conditioner. It softens the hair and rinses easily.

Tell me more, please

 

[glynndah]

Tell me more, please

I use whatever cheap hair conditioner that smells nice. It was eighty-six cents for twelve ounces and smells vanilla-ish. Apply to wet body part; shave; rinse.

That's about all the "more" I have, HP.

 

[Handley_Page]

I use whatever cheap hair conditioner that smells nice. It was eighty-six cents for twelve ounces and smells vanilla-ish. Apply to wet body part; shave; rinse.

That's about all the "more" I have, HP.

Thank you; I got to go shopping today, too . . . .