How to not cut yourself shaving

[SilverWing]

I'm just out of ideas here. I've tried men's razors, women's razors, dry shaving, shaving with water only, using water and shaving cream, and using razors with those built in soap pad things. Every time though, I draw blood. Usually this is where my body curves sharply, like at my elbows and chin corners. How do I not do this?

[Deborah]

Use one of the newer Gillette razors with 4 blades, the one with a battery that vibrates works best.

Use sharp blades.  Usually after about 5 days the shaving is a lot rougher.

Soak in hot water first, after or at the end of a hot shower.  That makes a huge difference.

Use lots of soap.  Any kind works including normal bar soap.

And finally, practice until you get the technique on how much pressure to put on the razor.  You need enough pressure to get a close shave but not so much that you're cutting skin.

[suzifrommd]

I use electric shavers only. I wouldn't dream of drawing a blade across my precious skin.

[AnonyMs]

Make sure you never slide the shaver sideways. That's really bad.

Also don't get carried away shaving and shaving on the same area. You end up getting sore instead.

[sparrow]

1) Make sure that you aren't holding the blade at an angle.  Even a slight angle is enough to catch skin and slice the hell out of it.
2) Don't draw the razor across skin that is more narrow than the razor blade.  The sides of the razor blade press your skin down and keep it from lifting up into the blades.  When you draw down the angle of your chin, you're just taking chunks of skin out.  I did this on my shin once... I literally peeled off an inch-long strip of skin before I even knew what was happening.

So, how to do stuff like your chin?  Approach from the cheeks going down, or from the neck going up.  The shins are a tough one -- I draw the razor around the leg, like painting horizontal stripes.

All that said... I don't shave my face with a razor.  I'm too bad at it and my skin is super sensitive.  I use an electric, and I might be able to afford electrolysis soon.  I hate that my face is always stubbly.

[SilverWing]

Thanks, all. Does anybody have any recommendations on an electric razor? Something that should last a long time?

Also... For large areas (like my lower back) is waxing a good idea?

[Deborah]

One thing about electric razors.  Some people do like them and for them they seem to work well.  For me they leave my face raw and don't get near as close a shave as a blade.

With a blade, hot water, and lots of soap I can shave with the grain, then against the grain, then across the grain and leave my skin perfectly smooth.  With an electric razor there is always roughness left and it causes razor bumps in some places.

I couldn't remember the name of the razor I use yesterday but its Gillette Fusion Power.   It's the best I have ever used.

As far as men's and women's razors I don't think there really is any difference other than the color of the handle. 

[lisarenee]

The razor makes a difference for me at least. A 2 bladed razor will leave me looking like I had a date with Freddy Kreuger. 3 bladed razors are somewhat better, but my favorite was a 6 bladed dollar store razor, which sadly doesn't appear to be made any more. It virtually never cut me. Of course, the number of blades isn't always the only thing. I bought some 5 bladed (?) Shick Hydro Silks which have cut me a lot, not just on the face, but also on the legs as bad as the cheap 2 bladed junk.

[RobynD]

I used Gillette ultras for a while and still do once in a while. Then i bought razors from the Harry's monthly club and those were cheaper and slightly better. I also used an epilator for a while. I had the sort of electric that you use in the bath and shower too. Finally i settled on Venus Razors and Skintimate cream. Some areas like my torso and back i still wax occasionally, but it is getting to be less.

I get everything warm and wet in the shower or bath before hand. My amount of nicks has gone way down. HRT has helped a lot with needing to shave far less. 

[emyrinth]

I use a walgreens brand 5 blade cartridge razor that works really well and I have (had its going away with laser) a super heavy beard.  It's pretty similar to dollar shave club or Hairys blades so I think it may be from the same distributor. I've had good luck with Gillette Mach 3 with the vibrating handle and with Gillette Fusion 5 blade type cartridges. If your up for some pain you can learn a lot technique wise from using a double edge safety razor with a good blade in it but... well I learned some valuable lessons from it but I don't recommend it for long term use as it doesnt get below the surface well.

[sparrow]

I've had good luck with Gillette Mach 3 with the vibrating handle...

See, I prefer a shaving experience that depends on skill and not luck.  I do not trust those things.

[LizK]

I stopped blade shaving due to Dysphoria but have taken it up again because I much prefer the smoother shave. I use Shick Gel Ultra 4 blade on my face and a Gillette women's  Silk hydro for my body. Unless I am really careless I don't seem to get any body cuts until the blade is dull after a bout a week. Both these blades swivel so you are able to keep even pressure on them and are especially good for the chin area and shaving back up the face against the grain.

Sarah T

[emyrinth]

See, I prefer a shaving experience that depends on skill and not luck.  I do not trust those things.

"its better to be lucky than good" is a phrase I often hear. I usually discount it myself as well. I was leary of a vibrating razor as well but I have a... HAD a super thick beard and what I have left is still very heavy. When I shave with a double edge safety razor I have to use the sharpest blades on the market or I pull more than cut. Mach 3s are okay but the vibrating motion makes it cut through the hair better. At least in my experience. Your face and hair are/were different than mine and so your mileage may vary. Probably the biggest lesson that I have learned though is that the preparation is more important than the blade. Not that blade isnt important a good shave takes time. You have to warm the area with warm water first, cleanse well, let the shaving cream set for a minute or so to soften the hairs and then shave. I usually just go against the grain any more with a cartridge razor and it does fine but I couldnt have done that even two months ago. You are best to go with, then against, and then across the grain. Across is usually optional for me though I feel my face all over between passes to see whether I need to do another and if so which direction. Thats another thing to keep in mind is that not all of the hairs on your face or body are going the same direction. For instance right at the corners of my mouth go UP and the hairs of the rest of my mouth and chin angle out at the mustache and in from just below the corner to the chin. Also I have an odd stubborn patch that grows side like on the right side of my jaw bone close to my chin...

[whereto]

these are what work for me. the razor has more blades should be your go-to, so you don't have to go over and over for a close shave.
also don't really put pressure on it when shaving, just let it glide over back and forth. i'd do against the grain for a closer shave, then with the grain after it so it won't make you feel icky when the hair starts to kick back in.
put some moisturizer or lotion if you like. it's just optional but it feels less weird if you shave too close. lol.

[Lyric]

In a recent issue of Consumer Reports magazine they tested shavers and surprisingly found that the old fashioned double-edge blade shavers outlast the modern multi-blade shavers by something like 8 times. Many people consider them to shave about as well, too. I've been using multi-blades for years, but the prices on them have really gotten ridiculous. I've been thinking of looking around for my old double edger and trying that way again.

[barbie]

I no longer shave my facial hair after using Tria for about 2 years. A problem is that some of my friends pay attention to the very fine hairs in my face, which should be cleaned by a razor. For this reason, I considered starting shaving again, but I am too lazy to do that.

The only body part I shave is the armpits. I just shave once per year before summer.

Tria worked great for me.

barbie~~

[Jacqueline]

In a recent issue of Consumer Reports magazine they tested shavers and surprisingly found that the old fashioned double-edge blade shavers outlast the modern multi-blade shavers by something like 8 times. Many people consider them to shave about as well, too. I've been using multi-blades for years, but the prices on them have really gotten ridiculous. I've been thinking of looking around for my old double edger and trying that way again.

I will take it a step further back. I started using a safety razor and good shaving soap a little while back. The first day you use it, it is not as smooth. However, 2 or more days and it is smoother than any other shave I have ever experienced.

On the down side. At first, you will cut yourself until you get more experienced.

Good luck to all,

Joanna

[Chloëjade]

A few years back a friend got me to start shaving with a straight razor. It works great on the face, and i've used it surprisingly well on my legs. It will leave the area it shaved very rough. The worse part is if you cut yourself, you most likely won't feel it. It's so sharp it doesn't hurt much or at all. Other wise i use a mach 3 and it does a good job. it is more about how you come across the angles . I also only you shave soap even with the mach 3

[SciFi_Reader]

I will take it a step further back. I started using a safety razor and good shaving soap a little while back. The first day you use it, it is not as smooth. However, 2 or more days and it is smoother than any other shave I have ever experienced.

On the down side. At first, you will cut yourself until you get more experienced.

Good luck to all,

Joanna

Another vote here for a safety razor and good shaving soap.  There is a definite learning curve, but the results are far superior any modern razor cartridge I've experienced, both for face and legs., &c.  You can spend a lot of money on the "best" razor and blades, but I picked up a 50-year-old Gillette Super Speed for $15 on eBay, and use whatever brand of blades they sell at the Rite-Aid, and they're just fine.  I did splurge on fancy soap; I like Pre de Provence -- it works well and smells nice, plus, you can brush up a nice lather right in the can (Ecotools sheer kabuki brushes work great for that).

As far as technique, I'll echo the "with the grain, against the grain, across the grain" above, and say the lightest touch and the shortest stroke possible is best.  I've also resigned myself to the fact that my skin is too fair and my hair too dark (facial hair, anyway), to ever shave away the shadow.  But that's what electrolysis is for.

-L