Which directions to shave

Rinse the blade with warm water between strokes, to minimize friction and drag. Don't press too hard. And take care of your razor. Too many guys neglect proper razor hygiene. You need to replace your cartridge head or safety razor blades every 4 shaves or so or every few weeks, whichever comes first.

You need sharp, clean blades, every time. To keep it sharp as long as possible rinse your blade with hot water and then store it upright in a cool, dry place, until your next shave. After the shave, you want to rinse everything away with cold water.

This helps close the pores, making them less receptive to bacteria and the like. Many moisturizers even work well as aftershaves. This step helps keep pores clean, while calming the skin and preventing redness. Avoid anything drying—namely, those alcohol-tinged aftershaves of yore. This isn't Home Alone. By Adam Hurly and Avidan Grossman.

Wash your face with cleanser and warm water. You can use this edging strip for removing the final stragglers. Use small, downward strokes once past the jaw, until you feel your hair growth change direction. Then, to shave with the grain of your neck hair, flip your blade around and use upward strokes, following the direction of your hair growth. Use small strokes under the sideburns, stopping at the jaw line. Shaving precision zones like your mutton chops is the perfect time to choose a transparent Shave Butter to get extra visibility.

You can trim any excess bulk on the sideburns themselves with a trimmer. Step Shave the Jaw. As with shaving the neck, use small downward strokes until hair growth changes direction.

Step Shave the Chin. As you reach the natural curves on your chin, apply even less pressure to avoid nicks and cuts. Step Rinse Your Face. Rinse your face with cool water — this removes residual shave lather and helps to close your pores. When finished, pat dry with a clean towel, since rubbing dry can cause irritation and redness. Shave in the direction that the hair grows. This is an important step to help prevent razor bumps and burns. Rinse after each swipe of the razor.

In addition, make sure you change your blade or throw away disposable razors after 5 to 7 shaves to minimize irritation. Store your razor in a dry area. Between shaves, make sure your razor dries completely to prevent bacteria from growing on it. Do not leave your razor in the shower or on a wet sink. Men who have acne should take special care while shaving. Shaving can irritate your skin, making acne worse. If you have acne on your face, try experimenting with electric or disposable blade razors to see which work best for you.

Use a razor with a sharp blade.