Shave

Shaving is something that millions of men do every day--but not necessarily well. Here are some shaving tips to get the closest shave possible with the least amount of irritation:

First, wash your face thoroughly with warm water and a gentle soap to remove excess dirt and oil. This process also softens the hairs.

Lather with a quality, thick shaving cream or gel. Massage the hairs in a circular motion in one direction, then the other. If you have one, a badger shaving brush is a great way to lift the hairs, soften them and spread the shaving cream evenly.

With a clean, sharp razor, shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse the blade under warm water after each pass because hairs and shaving cream stuck in the blades will prevent it from cutting cleanly and can cause nicks. Look carefully at your beard: The hairs often grow in different directions, such as the sideburns, the middle of the cheeks, the chin and the neck. In some men, the hair on the neck actually grows in the complete opposite direction as on their face. If this is the case with you, adjust the direction you shave accordingly.

Most men with thick or curly hair should never shave against the grain since doing so causes the hairs to be cut below the surface of the skin. When the hair regrows, it becomes trapped and, instead of growing out, curls back on itself and grows inward. This causes inflamed, red bumps (a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae) that are further injured the next time you shave. Over time, these ingrown hairs can cause permanent scars on your face. In contrast, men with fine, straight hair can shave against the grain, getting a much closer shave.

If you have thick or curly hair, or if you are prone to razor bumps, then stop at this point, rinse vigorously with cool water to remove any remaining residue from the shaving cream, and pat dry.

If you have straight, fine hair and do not get razor bumps, then you can reapply the shaving cream and repeat your shave, shaving in the opposite direction that the hairs are growing. This will give you the closest possible shave, but also poses risks for ingrown hairs.