Now That's a Proper Shave!

You might be surprised to know that facial hair removal has been a part of the human experience since, well, almost before we were human. Dating back to 300,000 b.c., fossil record shows that honed clamshells were used to pluck hair. By 30,000 b.c., man was using flint stones to cut (chop) hair. The reasons for this behavior is somewhat speculative, but it is assumed that the shorter your hair (including facial) the less of a handhold your opponent will have in battle. In addition, hygiene and pest control were probably factors, as well.

At some point, the concern over asthetics arose. By 3000 b.c., the development of copper tools changed the picture significantly. Copper could be formed into thin and very sharp edges. Shortly thereafter, in millennial terms, iron and bronze showed up on the scene. We were off and running.

Ever hear of that rock star Alexander the Great? At about 500 b.c. he popularized the concept of the close shave like no one before. A hundred years later Greeks everywhere...well in Greece I mean, have taken Alex's example firmly to heart.

Somewhere around the same time, professional barbers spring up in the general area.

By the way, you are probably wondering how those guys got those barber poles to spin without electricity? I guess the patrons just walked around and around the pole for effect. An interesting tidbit, however, is that the barber's pole got it's red and white colors from the bloody white rags used as a result of the 'not so smooth' effect of those rudimentary tools they were using.

Once Jesus Christ arrives things really start to pick-up. Mostly in the area of popularity and marketing rather than tools of the trade. In the first century a.d., writings on the practices of barbering begin to appear and the profession of the barber is born. In the 1400's England's Guild of Barbers and Surgeons is established. What with all of these sharp tools around, I suppose that it was only practical to have a one-stop-shop. An advertisment may have read, "Need something cut off...we do it all". This practice was somewhat shortlived, no pun intended, and surgeons got their own club. Barbers were still pulling teeth and "letting blood" (high demand for demon removal I suppose) for quite some time to come.

During the 1700 and 1800's the Sheffield staight razor is the standard for the well groomed gentleman.

Things eke along for a while until 1847, when William Henson (no relation to Jim Henson which explains all the hair on those Muppets) created a basic guard-type razor.

POW! The industrial revolution hits and everybody makes a shaver. King Gillette (his name not a title) invents the double-edged disposable blade and the famous shaver to use it in. About that time a wind-up shaver is invented. I suspect it was the forerunner to the weedwacker, but I may be wrong.

Schick comes along after WWI and after a few inovations, in 1931 he lands a big one...the first pateneted electric dry shaver. Later on he goes on to perfect his "injector razor" which is still used today. It will still be 30 years before Wilkinson developes the coated edge blades common today.

In 1971 Gillette (remember him?) began marketing the twin blade disposable razor. The rest is history....Oh yea, this was all history.

There are more homespun methods for shaving around than teens with peachfuzz. Some of them have merit, others not so much. This method is based upon my own experiences over the years and work well for me. I have tried other methods with mixed results, so with that in mind, read on...

If you are new to shaving (ie. you are a teen wishing to shave for the first time) you should get some advice from your father, uncle, older brother or other adult in your family first. They may have suggestions specific to the hair type in your family. Hair afterall, does differ based upon race, ethnicity, gene pool and other factors. With that said, try this method:

1. Purchase (don't borrow or steal due to spread of micro-organisms) a suitable razor. I recommend a 1 or 2 blade razor for beginners, as the beard is usually lighter and less coarse the younger you are (remember last year?). Gillette and Schick make economical, yet quality products. I avoid the off-brands due to what I feel are inconsistent blade and construction, which effects the angle of cut and increases chances of razor burn.

2. Select a good shaving soap or cream. I recommend using an olive oil soap. Olive oil has the closest molecular composition to human sebum (skin oil) as any soap base, it is natural and does not dry out the skin. This combination makes it an all round winner in my book. After trying the olive oil soap and numerous comparative trials, I am convinced of it's superior results. A canned shaving cream will work also, but I feel it is less effective and more harsh on the skin (even the sensitive skin ones).

3. Wet your face thoroughly for at least 2 minutes. I shave either in, or following a shower. This saves you the hastle of sink (and floor) clean-up afterward. Use a hot wet towel and lay it over your beard as an alternative to the shower.

4. Lather evenly. It is not necessary to build a pile a mile high, just enough to cover the depth of the beard.

5. Begin at the temple with the razor and make sure the blade head is flat against the skin. Firmly, but lightly. Make strokes with the direction of the hair growth. Do not allow the razor to move sideways as you pull in the direction of the handle. YOU WILL SLICE YOUR FACE. Keep the blade head paralell to your skin. Do not go over the same area more than a couple or three times. Be sure to rinse the shaver head often to remove stubble and excess cream from the blades.

Proceed down cheek and downward over chin. Then do the under-chin area in the same way. Make short strokes at first. Do a small cheek area first to get the hang of it. Repeat on opposite side. Then do the mustache area, downward from the nose. Be careful around the lips and dimples, as these are the most likely nick areas.

6. Feel your face with lather still on, to check for missed areas and redo those spots. Do not over do the process for the first few times, as your skin (and you) need to get used to the razor. You will get a better shave in time, as you master the technique.

7. As you advance (probably shouldn't try this for at least a couple of months, and then only if necessary) you can try getting a smoother shave by adding a pass against the hair growth, after the initial shave. Do not do this if you or your family are prone to ingrown hair (razor bumps). No one but you is likeley to notice that you didn't do this step unless you tell them.

8. Rinse completely with warm, then cool water and PAT dry. Do not rub.

Your finished!

After a few months, if necessary, you may wish to try a 3 blade razor like the Schick Extreme 3. You will get a smoother shave and your face should be used to the friction of the 2 blade by then.

For advanced shavers only, check out the video above!