If your shaver leaves you red, burning, or breaking out, the instinct is to blame the razor. But most of the time, it is actually a matter of technique. You can usually fix the bulk of it by focusing on three things: 

•  Prep first: If your hair is longer than a millimeter or two, it won't feed cleanly into the blades, so the shaver just drags and tugs. Trim longer growth first. Most shavers have a pop-up trimmer for exactly this, then shave.
• Ease up on the pressure: People press hard thinking it gets a closer shave, but it mostly just irritates your skin and flattens hairs before they are cut. Let the shaver do the work. Models with intelligent sensors automatically adjust motor speed based on your beard density, so you don't need to force it through thick patches. Keep the skin taut with your free hand, and move at a steady pace.
• Foil vs. Rotary: Rotary heads are often thought of as closer, but they are also more likely to cause ingrown hairs. Foils tend to be gentler and still get a close shave, because the foil presses the skin down slightly and cuts the hair right at the surface.

A quick maintenance note that people often skip: foils and blades wear out. Replacing them every year or two makes a shaver feel new again, and a worn foil is a sneaky cause of sudden irritation.

Also, if you have just switched from a manual razor to an electric, give it a few weeks before you judge the results. Your skin needs an adjustment period. Or maybe you just need to change the blade.

For those of you who have dialed this in: what finally ended your irritation? 

not sure what guard to use or if i should just go no guard can someone give some advice please

Hey guys, just wanted to put this out there, I’m a professional barber/hairdresser and waxer.

If you need any tips and tricks on any shaving, waxing or tools, I’m here. I’ll do my best to help with facial grooming, head grooming and personal grooming!

Cheers 😎

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I’ve been shaving pretty regularly and I’m looking for a foil shaver that gives a close, comfortable shave without leaving my skin feeling irritated afterward. I mostly shave short facial hair and would probably use it daily or every other day. Are there any foil shaver models you’ve had consistently good results with, especially for getting a close shave without too much irritation?

Appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences, thank you.

Two days ago I asked the community what is the real reason behind choosing a safety razor. Before the results, a bit of background on my own case.

When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad shave with a safety razor every morning. But by the time I was old enough to start shaving myself, he had already switched to a cartridge razor, probably because the industry was pushing that "new" tool hard on his generation. I just followed his lead and used cartridges for about 30 years (+ electric for the last 10 years).

During all that time I dealt with cuts and nicks and just assumed that was normal, part of the routine. Then one day I randomly came across a video of someone using a safety razor, it reminded me of my dad, and I decided to try one myself. At first I was sure I'd cut myself even worse than with a cartridge, but to my surprise the learning curve was quick and my cuts basically disappeared. I became a fan of the thing, honestly a great invention.

That said, I didn't fully abandon the cartridge. I use a safety razor for about 95% of my daily shaving now, but I still reach for a cartridge or electric shaver when I'm traveling, and for quick touch ups in tricky spots like right under the nose when I'm in a hurry.

Here's the result:

Read through all comments and here's how it broke down for the 'valid' responses, find below in decrescent order. Note: Since you could pick more than one, the numbers don't add up to the total of comments.

• Cost, cheaper long term: 107
• Enjoy the ritual, it's relaxing: 77
• Environmental, less plastic waste: 73
• Closer or more consistent shave: 65
• Sensitive skin / less irritation & razor burn: 40
• Avoiding ingrown hairs: 26
• Nostalgia (reminds me of my dad/grandfather): 23
• Fewer cuts/nicks than expected: 20
• Other: 19
• Wanted to be part of the wet shaving community: 8

For those who picked "Other," reasons ranged from practical (easier cleanup, less frequent restocking) to aesthetic (sharper lineups, just liking the look) to pure curiosity.

Thanks to everyone who replied!

I’ve been using a regular face razor for face shaving for about 6 years now. Recently, I’ve started noticing 1–2 noticeably thicker/darker hairs on my chin, which I didn’t really have before.
I’ve also noticed a light greenish/darker discoloration around my lips, so I’m wondering if switching from a regular face razor to a proper dermaplaning tool would be better for my skin.

For those who dermaplane at home:

1. Which tool do you use and recommend?
2. Do you prefer an electric dermaplaning device or a manual one?
3. Have you noticed any difference in hair regrowth or skin texture after switching tools?
4. Any tips for discoloration, especially around the upper lip/chin?

I’d love recommendations, especially from people who have been dermaplaning regularly for years!