For many men, electric shaving is the only way to elude some of the problems associated with traditional shaving.
After making the actual switch, some of us will be faced with the sudden realization that it isn’t exactly what we were hoping for: the shaving experience hasn’t improved to a significant degree or, even worse, it hasn’t improved at all.
Things will eventually get better once your skin adapts to the new shaving method and your technique improves, but there are still some simple and easy to implement tweaks that can really make a difference.
Most of these adjustments only imply correcting a few frequent errors.
So without further ado, here are 9 of the most common electric shaving mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Applying too much pressure.
An electric shaver will never shave as close as a blade; there is a physical barrier between your skin and the cutting blades in the form of a foil or guard/comb.
Some shavers will get really close, but the aforementioned aspect still remains true.
Therefore, in order to compensate for this drawback or to get a few stubborn hairs, you may be tempted to apply more pressure.
My advice is to absolutely avoid doing so; it won’t do much in improving the closeness, but it will give you painful razor burn and irritation.
If you constantly find yourself in this situation, having to press harder and go over certain areas multiple times, make sure that:
- The foils and/or cutting blades are still in good condition. Depending on your particular razor and shaving habits, these parts can wear out sooner than expected. Make sure to replace them when this happens.
- The battery has enough juice in it. A dying battery will have trouble powering the motor and cutting the hairs, forcing you to go over the same area multiple times. Pulling and tugging can also occur, increasing the chances of irritation.
- Your particular shaver is up to the task — which leads us to the next point.
2. Using a shaver that’s not suitable for the job.
The straight fact is that some electric shavers are simply better and more suitable in a particular situation than others.
Some are better for sensitive skin, others are better at dealing with longer hairs, others are small and light and great for traveling and so on.
If you have a two or three days beard for example, with coarse stubble and different growth patterns you’ll definitely need a more powerful and advanced electric razor.
I’m not saying that you have to spend big money on the most feature-packed razors; there are definitely some very capable budget-friendly shavers out there.
Just make sure you do some research prior to buying one. Our reviews section and comparison chart are two good places to start.
Remember, there isn’t such thing as the best shaver, but the one that is right for you, considering your personal needs and your budget.
3. Not giving your shaver a proper cleaning after each use.
Not all electric razors come with a cleaning and charging station. In fact, this is usually a perk of the more expensive ones.
If yours doesn’t have one, a manual clean is highly recommended after each use in order to keep your shaver functioning properly.
Hair, dead skin and dirt will alter the performance and are bad for the hygiene of your shaver.
Fortunately, almost all electric razors can be easily cleaned with warm tap water and optionally a bit of liquid soap (provided they are waterproof).
Just make sure you follow the procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
You can also check out my guide for cleaning an electric razor manually.
4. Not lubricating your shaver.
Lubrication is vital for a close and comfortable shave and will prolong the lifespan of your shaver’s foils and blades.
Unless your electric razor comes with an automatic cleaning station that also takes care of lubricating the cutting parts, you’ll have to do it yourself.
Fortunately, it’s an extremely easy operation.
You can use clipper oil or just a light highly refined mineral oil. I personally use clipper oil for all my shavers as it’s inexpensive and works great.
A drop or two on each foil is all it takes.
Having a properly lubricated shaving unit has multiple benefits: it will reduce the heat generated by the friction of the foils and blades, will prolong their life and improve the performance of your shaver.
As a rule of thumb, you should lubricate your shaver after each cleaning that involved the use of soap or once a week.
For more details, you can check out my complete guide on how to lubricate your shaver.
5. Not trimming your hair if it’s too long for the shaver to handle.
Dealing with longer facial hair continues to be one of the weak points of all electric shavers.
Trimming your facial hair with a basic hair trimmer prior to shaving is highly recommended if you have a long beard.
Electric shavers are designed to capture and cut short facial hair.
If the whiskers are too long, the razor will simply miss or pull them which is very painful and you can also get a few nasty nicks.
6. Not using a pre-electric lotion.
Keeping your beard and razor dry is extremely important for the comfort and closeness of the shave.
In addition to that, you can also include a pre-electric lotion as part of your prep work.
A pre-shave will dry the moisture from the skin, priming it for the shave, while also lifting the hairs and making it easier for the shaver to cut them.
Most users see a noticeable improvement when adding a good pre-shave lotion; they’re also relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to apply prior to shaving dry.
7. Skipping post-shave treatment.
Just because you’re not using a razor blade anymore doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow up your shave with a soothing and hydrating balm.
Avoid the ones containing alcohol, artificial fragrances, and parabens as they can cause irritation and dry your skin.
8. Not giving wet shaving a try.
Ok, this is not an actual mistake, but more like something you could be missing out on.
Wet electric shaving can make a significant difference, especially if you have sensitive skin.
If your razor is suitable for wet & dry use then go ahead and add a quality shaving cream.
You can also check out my tips and recommendations for wet shaving with an electric razor.
If you think that all this hassle pretty much defies the purpose of an electric shaver that you just grab and start shaving, that’s totally understandable.
But if adding some lather can yield significantly better results then I think the extra work is totally worth it.
9. Switching back and forth between electric and manual razors.
A razor blade shaves off a thin layer of skin cells, while an electric shaver does not — at least not to a significant degree.
As a result, after shaving with a blade, the body produces replacement scar tissue and it takes around 2 to 3 weeks to get rid of it.
During this time you won’t get the best results shaving with an electric razor.
That’s why it’s highly recommended to stick to a method of shaving for at least 3 weeks before trying something else.
Over to you now: What was the most annoying thing about using an electric shaver in your experience? Please comment below.
Great article. I agree with each point. Being only 4 months into electric shaving, I too, have found that I must remember that I won’t get as close a shave as I use to with a blade. However, I can still wet shave with my brush and soap and get zero irritation and/or weepers any more. It’s the best of both worlds! Keep the articles coming!
Hi Jeff,
thank you for your comment. I’m glad to hear you found the articles useful. A trade-off in the closeness is to be expected with any electric shaver, but comfort and a pain free experience should come as a priority, so in my opinion it is a good compromise. Adding a quality shaving cream or soap in the mix just makes everything better. And like you said, by doing so we don’t have to give up wet shaving.
Ovidiu
The biggest mistake I made shaving was not reading how to use an eclectic shaver properly.
Periodically I tire of shaving with a blade and will go electric. But before too long I’m faced with the choice of shaving with a brand new Gillette cartridge or an electric with a foil that has some mileage on it, needs a cleaning, a charge, etc. It makes me appreciate the closeness of the blade after having not used one for a while. Especially on the neck.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your comment. Every shaving method has both pros and cons and choosing one comes down to your personal needs and lifestyle. Yes, an electric razor will require cleaning, but some are easier to clean than others. A cleaning station can also be considered as it takes care of cleaning and charging your shaver. And some electric shavers shave a lot closer than others.
On the other hand, multi-blade cartridges are expensive and they don’t last much. But yes, a razor blade will get you the closest possible shave.
It’s all about compromises and personal preferences.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
First of all, thanks for publishing all of your articles and reviews on this site. It’s been a wealth of information for me as I am currently researching electric razors.
After not having used one for quite some time, I bought the Phillips Aquatouch AT891 a couple of years ago. It didn’t give a great shave but I thought it was because it was just an entry level razor.
Then I recently read this article and came to point 9 and realised that this is exactly what I was doing. I only wanted the electric to provide a quick reasonable shave for a few days a week and the rest of the time I use a blade. Now I understand why my electric shaves were disappointing and why the manufacturers recommend a few weeks adjustment period for your skin and beard to get used to the new shaving method.
I’m currently trying (on a 60 day money back guarantee promotion) the Phillips S5620/41 rotary shaver and the Panasonic ARC 4 ESLF-51 which you mentioned in your 2018 review as being a quality razor.
But now I’m wondering if I have to allow 2-3 weeks of shaving dedicated to each razor without switching between them as per your recommendation to not switch between blade and electric shaving. I had intended to use them on alternating days so I could compare and contrast the performance and then send the loser back to the manufacturer within the 60 day trial period.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this.
And also, I find the ESLF51 to be quite loud. Has there ever been reports of hearing loss with noisy electrics that you are aware of? The razor is not close to my eardrums for very long but when I shave near there, it’s quite loud and the ESLF51 has a higher pitch than the Phillips so it just sounds louder.
Thanks,
Hi Don,
Thank you for your comment, I’m glad you found the information useful.
3 weeks should be enough even if you’re using both shavers. While they are using different technologies — rotary vs foil — both have blades that rotate/oscillate behind a metal guard, so it’s pretty much the same shaving method. Just make sure to use them in similar conditions (same length of the hairs, same time of the day, fully charged batteries and so on) so you can make a more accurate assessment regarding their performance.
As for the noise, foil-based shavers are louder than rotary razors. That’s because their motors operate at much higher speeds and also cause more vibrations. However, while it can be annoying, it would be extremely unlikely to cause any hearing loss or other serious issues. These devices must pass through rigorous testing and certifications before being released to the public, so there’s no reason to worry about this.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I find my biggest pet peeve with electric shaving is that the electric blades of today do not shave nearly as well as they did 30 years ago and need replacing more often then then used to in order to get a decent shave. I think companies are trying to just get money money out of consumers and parts like the protective head cover are so cheap now and easily break and one does not get a decent razor cover like they used too.
Thank you for your comment, Jeff. I agree, many of the replacement blades/foils of today’s shavers are over-priced. We can however minimize our cost ownership by implementing a few adjustments to our routine, mainly consisting of regularly cleaning and lubricating the blades. Before ditching the blades and buying new ones, try using a spray cleaner and lubricant (like Remington Shaver Saver). I find them extremely efficient for reviving dull blades that aren’t completely worn off.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used Gillette Atra for the past 45 years they stop making the blades, and I was lost I bought the new 5 blade system and hated it. I switched over to the disposable 2 blade they are ok, and have had my fill with them too. I have decided maybe it’s time to switch to electric? I figured it would take some time “change over”. I looked over your chart Braun 60 days way too long for me. I would feel like a BUM. A wet shave using an electric I could probably handle 10 days maybe 14 days. So I am willing to try that. So I will purchase the Panasonic and see.
Thank you for your comment, Gary. It will be quite the change, so do take your time and take advantage of that money back guarantee — you may need at least a couple of weeks before getting some satisfactory results. Let me know how it goes if you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a question regarding using an electric razor. When using one should we switch or use a different razor when shaving different body parts?
Hi Erick,
Ideally yes, you’d want to have a dedicated body groomer for shaving below the neck. Also, electric shavers are really designed to work on short, dense hairs, so they’re not ideal for shaving body hair (unless the hair is really short).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thank u for your detailed article.
I’m a transgender and as u can see close shave is very important to me. I have used electric shaver since i was 18 and now its 3 years. I believe my beard area is not as dark and full like other men which i appreciate.
But i can’t get close shave by every morning shaving. So now i want to change to razor blade.
I was wondering if my beard gets filer and thicker by switching to a razor blade?
Sorry for bad english dear.
Hi Sasha,
You are very welcome, glad you found it useful.
Shaving doesn’t make facial hair thicker, denser or darker. However, depending on the method of shaving, it may influence how it is perceived.
For example, a razor blade will cut the hair clean and straight, so the hair will feel coarser to the hand and may appear thicker, even though it isn’t. Cutting the hair with an electric shaver will leave behind a more ragged stump, which could make the beard seem as less thick or dense. But again, the actual thickness of the hair will never be influenced by (the method of) shaving.
You could try an electric shaver that shaves closer; the ones from Panasonic are in my experience the best in this regard. Depending on your budget, you could consider an Arc 3, Arc 4 or an Arc 5 model. I wrote a very detailed guide on Panasonic shavers here if you want to check it out.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I use a Braun series 9, with cleansing station. I used to wet shave with the Gillette Fusion, 5 blade cartridges, but they are so expensive. I have often wondered when we’ll see a six or seven blade razor, and how far will they go with adding another blade every few years.
With the electric shaver, I find I get a better, closer shave if I shave every other day. The only downside to electric shavers is that they tend not to be so good under the chin.
One thing that makes me less happy with the cleaning station is that it uses the same fluid in the same cartridge over and over during the three to four weeks each cartridge lasts. If you look at the cartridge after a couple of weeks, you can see how murky it is. Yuck.
Thank you for your comment, Michael. I would also be interested to see if they will actually come up with 6 blades or more. That would be beyond ridiculous.
Shaving under the chin can be tricky. Try tilting your head backward, lifting your chin up and using your free hand to keep the skin taut — this will also cause the hairs to stand upright, making it easier for the foils to cut them.
Regarding the cleaning solution, the cartridge has a very fine mesh filter inside the larger opening, so the liquid that gets pumped into the shaving head is filtered and at least the visible grime and hairs will actually remain trapped inside the cartridge.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I would like to know if anyone has addressed the “hair dust” that’s generated when shaving. I have used a Norelco shaver for years and I noticed it causes me to cough when I have to open my mouth when I shave some parts like the corners of my mouth. Has there been any issues concerning this very fine dust like hair?
Hi Andy,
That fine hair dust that doesn’t end up in the hair chamber can definitely induce a cough or other similar issues. Some shavers are better than others at catching these fine hairs, but the differences are generally minor. The user is still the one that can make some tweaks and get around this. For example, I try avoiding as much as possible opening my mouth — instead, try to apply counter-pressure using your tongue when shaving the corners of the mouth. Also, avoid breathing through your mouth when you do open it which will cause a lot more hair dust to enter.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu, very valuable article.
I took to electric shavers when I started feeling that the Gillette blades weren’t lasting as long as they used to. This was few years ago.
So, I use a Braun 7series and I use it with shaving foam. I finish with a blade shave (yes, still Gillette). It gives me a close shave and the blade lasts longer……overall, a satisfying shaving experience.
I do recognize that not many may want to make that much time for their daily shave.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, glad you found the article informative.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wife bought me an electric shaver but, honestly doesn’t seem as good as a razor. The problem is not the cut length, rather the problem is that even after doing circles on my face multiple times there are still random uncut hairs everywhere. I invariably find myself pulling out the razor to clean up because even if I go over the area with the e-shaver multiple times it will often fail to cut the isolated hairs. This is when shaving with say 3-4 days growth.
Hi Paul,
It would be really useful know the type and model of your electric shaver. It may simply be a bad product or there might be something you can do to improve the results.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, it’s the Phillips aqua touch. I shave after a shower, putting water in my face again before I do but no shaving cream.
Try alternating the direction of the stroke (clockwise, counterclockwise) and also try going against the grain. Rotary razors can be trickier than foil shavers which only require straight strokes against the grain. I’ve never found shaving with water alone to bring any benefits — on the contrary, some shavers tend to stick to the skin and won’t glide as easily. Try a dry shave as well or even a thin, watery layer of shaving cream/lather if you prefer to shave after showering.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Okay thanks will give it a try.
Try shaving every other day, sound’s like your shaver is struggling with the longer hair and missing it.
I have changed from a blade to a Braun Series 9 and it seems to get better each week that I use it. I am very happy with the change to electric. Thank you for your excellent article. I am going to implement your tips.
Thank you for your comment, Philip. That’s great, glad you’re happy with the Series 9 coming from a razor blade.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I went from a braun series 5 to a series 9. It was expensive but so far it’s just as reliable as the series 5. I use the brush after shaving and tap the foil cartridge til I get all the crud out. Then I put the shaver into the cleaning station. Every 1-3 days I’ll shave. I gotta use my pre shave more. All in all great article I’m going to tweak some things in my routine like you mentioned. Great article. Great website.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Anthony. Glad you found the site useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article – thank you.
I recently bought my first electric razor after years of wet blade shaving. I purchased the Braun Series 9 shaver after it was highly recommended. Despite reading that rotary shavers are better for men who don’t shave everyday, I accepted the advice of the salesman and went with a good quality foil shaver. Unfortunately when I leave my beard to grow for a week, the series 9 struggles to pick up random hairs and I’m left going over and over my face. It is now actually taking longer than a blade shave which is what I was hoping to avoid with going electric. I’m really disappointed because I enjoy using my new razor, it offers a nice close shave otherwise. I see your point about trimming the hair first which I can and will do, but I was really hoping the series 9 could cope with a few longer, coarser hairs. Am I expecting too much? Do I just need to get into the habit of shaving every other day? Any comments would be appreciated.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your comment.
I’m afraid the answer is yes — one week between shaves is a lot for an electric shaver, even for the Series 9 which is in my opinion one of the best foil shavers out there in these situations. The Philips S9000 Prestige is arguably the most capable to tackle longer hairs, but even with that one, I cannot guarantee that you’ll get a decent shave after one week of beard growth. Electric shavers are designed to be used on short facial hair. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to shave every other day, it really comes down to how fast your beard grows (and how coarse it is). Some men can get away with quite a few days between shaving sessions.
There are really only two ways of solving this: either to use a trimmer before your shave or to simply shave more often.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for the reply Ovidiu. This is really helpful to understand.
Hi. My son (16yrs) recently started shaving and I bought him a Baun S3. he doesn’t yet get typical stubble but rather ‘wispy’ beard hair. He is struggling with the shaver and gets shaving cuts especially around the chin (I have never used an electric so struggling to problem solve). Any tips for young, first time, lightly bearded, electric shaver users? Thanks.
Hi Mike,
The Series 3 is actually a very good choice for a teenager that’s just getting started with shaving. Very fine, long, wispy hair can actually be harder to shave than coarse stubble since it must poke through the holes in the foil in order to get cut. That can make someone use more strokes and apply more pressure, leading to irritation. In order to avoid this and the small nicks, it’s important not to apply pressure and only use a gentle touch, letting the shaver do the work. A teenager will typically have sensitive skin, so post-shave irritation is a lot more likely to happen.
It’s also important to avoid touching the chin after the shave as that can only make things worse. I also wrote a guide for first-time users that I think you might find helpful.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
Great article. I’m considering a Philip’s rotary shaver, however I have quite think facial hair and I often leave my stubble for 4/5 days. Would an electric shaver be able to cope with longer, thicker hair?
I have sensitive skin plus psoriasis, so I tend to leave some stubble to hide the dry/irritated spots. I currently use a Philips beardtrimmer series 7000 with vacuum. Because of this, an extremely close shave is not essential, but I’d like something a bit closer than the beardtrimmer.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Mick
Hi Mick,
Thank you for your comment.
In your case, I also think that a very close shave would not be beneficial — on the contrary. With that said, the two of the most capable shavers at handling longer, thick facial hair are the Philip Norelco Series 9000 Prestige and the Braun Series 9. The latter is in my experience more forgiving and better suited for sensitive skin, while the Philips can probably deal with even longer hair. Both are quite expensive though. I would lean more towards the Braun considering your skin condition.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Electric shavers never give me a close enough shave. They certainly have their benefits and I still keep an older cordless Philips norelco with me for a convenient shave. That being said, it generally fails to leave an evenly close and comfortable shave. Many areas of my neck are very coarse whiskers and the shaver doesn’t have an easy time. I am a proponent for electric razor pre shaves and they help tremendously, meer fact that there is a physical barrier between your face and the shavers cutters, makes it more irritating. Plus the fact that I have to shave over the same area multiple times to get what I consider a satisfactory shave. While razors nick and cut me, electric shavers irritate my skin by having to shave the same spot 100 times and that isnt worth it to not get a close enough shave
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Brandon.
While the closeness of a razor blade is clearly the best, I think the main problem here is your older Philips Norelco rotary shaver. A decent foil shaver should give you a closer shave while also being less harsh to the skin. If you want to give one a try, you can check out this article where I list some of the closest shaving electric razors I’ve used in the past few years.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m new to electric… when you use an alcohol-based pre-shave lotion like “lectric shave,” do you need to rinse the shaver before putting it into the cleaning station to be cleaned? (Braun)
Mine came with these warnings to rinse of shaving cream and soap. That type of pre-shave doesn’t seem like it counts but I’m not sure.
Thanks for all the advice, it helps a lot!
Hi Paul,
In my opinion it’s not necessary to rinse the shaver before cleaning it in the station if you use a pre-shave. Alcohol-based pre-shaves evaporate within seconds of applying them to the face and the residues are minimal if any at all. Soap is bindeed problematic because it will foam up and cause pressure buildup inside the cartridge; it can also dry and clog the drain. But you won’t have to worry about that in the case of alcohol-based pre-shave lotions.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu: I am testing my new F5 5800 which shaves very well. I am getting a close shave in 3 minutes. I read that even lithium-ion batteries do discharge somewhat (something like 3% a month versus NiMh which are more), but with my rotation and spacing, I don’t use the 5800 every day. After I fully charged the shaver for 24 hours before first using it, I’ve managed 8 shaves (a bit more than 3 minutes a piece) and used about 27 minutes on my shaver. It says 40% charge left. That’s shorter than the “up to 60 minutes” Remington says. I know part of it is discharge over the last almost three weeks, and part is how you shave and your beard, of which mine is light and I shave daily. And I suspect when Remington says that, they mean if you turned it on and left it on your counter, it might run 60 minutes. But does this sound reasonable to you considering 1) normal discharge of the last few weks, 2) how I shave and beard, and 3) the fact that “up to 60 minutes” might not take into consideration the pressing and manuevers each person does with the shaver. Your thought? Thanks so much.
Hi Bob,
From personal experience I can tell that the rate of discharge is much higher than the 3% per month in case of most shavers fitted with Li-ion batteries. So considering the three aspects you’ve mentioned, I’d say that it’s perfectly normal and there’s nothing to worry about. We don’t exactly know the manufacturers’ methodology of testing the battery life, but we can assume that it’s under ideal conditions, so it’s likely we won’t replicate their results.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, my question here is that I dread shaving the most is my neck, the itching and scratching is the worst. In your opinion what can I do for this, I own a norelco shaver. Thanks
Hi Ron,
I think the neck is by far the most difficult area to shave for most men. There are two aspects to consider if you’re aiming to improve your results: shaving technique and using a suitable shaver. I wrote a detailed post on how to shave the neck that I think you may find useful. As for the shaver, most rotaries are not ideal except for maybe the S9000 Prestige (which is very expensive) or the newer Series 6000 which is actually a very decent razor. I would personally go with a gentle foil shaver like the older Braun Series 7 models or if it’s out of your budget a Series 5 or even a Series 3 ProSkin.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I’ve had my Braun Series 9 for a few years now and replaced the head for years as well. I noticed that as the heads were changed, it started vibrate rather loudly. It’s cleaned oiled regularly. Can you tell me what to do to quiet it down
Hi Gene,
As long as the cassette is correctly attached to the shaver and you also clean and lubricate it regularly, there’s nothing much you can do about it, unfortunately. If the vibrations started right after you replaced the head, I think the new one might be deffective. I would try to reach out to Braun customer support and let them know about the issue. They’re usually helpful and will often offer a replacement for free.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for this article!
It really helps. I just started using a Phillips rotary shaver because I wanted a closer, smoother shave for my face without all the problems of irritation and razor bumps that I get with a traditional razor. Unfortunately the problem seems to persist.
Worse yet is the rotary shaver misses a lot of hairs whether is use foam, gel or dry and they wind up becoming ingrown hairs.
I am tried all kinds of cremes, gels, and medicine to treat the problem, but skin just flares up and freaks out, especially in the neck area. I am at my wits end on what I should do. Should I just give it up all together and just maintain a beard?
Hi,
I think you would have been better off with a mild foil shaver like the older Braun Series 7 (7865cc, 7893s, etc). It’s very comfortable and forgiving, deals well with the hair on the neck and it’s also recommended to users that get ingrown hairs. I would also suggest a good pre-shave lotion like Speick or Tabac. I’m afraid I can’t tell you with certainty what the outcome will be, so it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth trying.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello
I am 16 years old brown-skin and I switched from a safety razor to a Brain series 3 electric shaver, I did this switch because I was still getting irritation from shaving with a safety razor than what I first started with – which was a Gillette cartridge razor – previously with my safety razor I never shaved against the grain so I never had that baby smooth skin, but with my electric razor I have the closest shave I have asked for however that raises my concerns, Due to my extremely close shaves, will I increases the chances of getting hyperpigmentation? Apparently shaving does increase the chances, and will I just ruin my skin at a young age in general ?
Thank you
Hi,
That is an excellent question.
Please note that I am not a physician and you should definitely discuss this with your doctor/dermatologist.
The thing that can favor hyperpigmentation is not the process of cutting the skin close to the skin, but all the minor cuts and scrapes that happen when shaving, particularly when using an exposed blade (safety razors, cartridge razors and so on). And it’s more likely to get nicks and skin damage when shaving with a blade against the grain, so that’s definitely not recommended. However, electric shavers will only perform well when used against the grain; otherwise, the hairs won’t poke through the foils and won’t get cut. Since the blades themselves are covered by a protective screen, the chances of getting small cuts are definitely lower, but they can and do still happen, especially when using more aggressive shavers or when you press harder. So in your case, even though an electric shaver should be a better choice compared to a traditional razor, there’s still a risk. So it’s definitely a good idea to be extra careful, take your time, use a mild shaver or maybe even a good pre-electric shave lotion (you will again need to discuss with your doctor if that would be a good idea). I’m afraid I am not qualified in any way to give you any advice regarding how switching to an electric shaver will affect or improve your condition.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just discovered something on my three-rotor Norelco shaver which I had missed for ages, and I’m thinking that might be true of other people too. When cleaning the head, I was popping it open and brushing out all of the loose whiskers that had accumulated. While that is necessary, it isn’t sufficient, as it turns out. I didn’t realize that tiny clots of hair were accumulating underneath the blades where they couldn’t easily be seen. You have to take out the tiny blades and gently brush them off, and pick out any mats of hair that have accumulated in the blade area. I did that, and now my razor works great, even shaving the grey whiskers on my neck which tend to lie flat.
Hey,
Thank you for your comment. That is correct and what you just described is something I refer to as a thorough cleaning. It should be done a couple of times a month in the case of most rotary shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good article. I had used a Braun Series 5 for many years but the beard trimmer cover broke. I just bought a Series 9 (Sport–Costco) and it pulls hairs in the same spots in two places on my face. Being brand new, it’s shouldn’t be due to dull blades or low battery charge.
Should I exchange it for another one?
Do you have any suggestions on other things to try?
Thanks,
Ed
Hi Ed,
Thank you for your comment. Are those spots by any chance on your chin or jawline? The Series 9/9 Pro can snag some hairs if they’re on a really curved/rounded surface, especially if the hairs are longer and you move the shaving head too fast (the gold trimmer with the wide gap between the rows of teeth is usually the culprit). Unless you notice other problems with your Series 9 when shaving, I don’t think it’s faulty.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your suggestion, Ovidiu. It happened on both cheeks–one more than the other–just outside of my horseshoe-like mustache. Interestingly, it didn’t happen when I had four-day growth, only when I had short growth. Slowing things down did not help. If I went slowly over the area, the shaver would catch the hair and tug on it without cutting it!
I returned the shaver and will likely order a Series 8 or other Braun model. I tried my old (though maintained) Series 5 (with the broken beard trimmer) and the shave was no worse than with the Series 9, so I’m not worried about which model I buy.
Thanks Again,
Ed
No problem, Ed. A couple of days ago I got a message from a Series 9 Pro user that got one with a faulty cassette and would snag hairs continuously. After getting a free replacement cassette from Braun the problem was entirely solved. Since yours was still doing that even on short hair and with very slow strokes, I now suspect that there was actually something wrong with it. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with the Series 8, coming from a Series 5 it should feel just right.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Phillips Arc 3 I believe using your recommendation from a few years ago and I recently started to use it again since I am now shaving my head. It works great on the top and the sides but the back is very difficult. It seems to struggle and I don’t know why or what I can do differently. Any suggestions?
Hi Chris,
I think you meant Panasonic Arc 3. My guess is that the hair on your back grows in different patterns (and you can’t see that) and you need to move the shaver against the grain in order for the foils to capture and cut the hairs effectively. You can use your free hand to determine the direction of growth or, better yet, use a mirror setup. I think it’s worth the investment if you shave your head. I cut my hair myself and it’s been a game-changer, so check out this post for a few options.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My boyfriend trims the top and shaves the sides of his head with an electric razor with attachments, but for some reason the last time he cut his hair all the strands were slightly different lengths and it looked a little frayed. It’s possible that this is just his hair texture and I just never noticed before, but I am wondering if his blade is maybe dull and if you simply replace the blade or need to grab a new electric razor altogether? Any thoughts? No experience with using this type of trimmer myself.
Hi,
Usually unless the guards are broken or aren’t attached properly, yes, there’s probably some wear on the cutters. You didn’t mention the brand and model of the trimmer he’s using, but I supposed it has shearing blades (like a regular hair clipper). With most clippers the blade can be easily replaced with a new one. You didn’t mention the model of the trimmer so I cannot provide a part number for the blade (if available).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi sir
Please I bought a microtouch solo machine for shaving and I put it over night and leave it for the following day and according to the manual If am charging it a red light will indicate on the machine that means it chargir and after it’s full the red lights Will go off that means it fully charged and that is the reason why I left it charging over night but I wake up the morning and the red lights still there I tried to on the machine to see if it will work but it’s not working. What could have been the problem?
Thank you
Hi,
I haven’t used the Microtouch Solo, but something doesn’t right. When you tried turning on, was the cord disconnected? If so, it’s probably a defective unit and you should contact the vendor for a replacement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ok so not moving foil shavers in circular motions, but what about swaying? Like turning to the left/right during the forward motion?
And does anyone have any experience on putting the shaver on the skin, and just “spinning” it slowly?
I tried it on the crown with my braun 9 and i got a nice piece of hair by doing it, but as i have an abnormally high tolerance to pain on the scalp, i have no clue if what im is actually hurting my follicles/skin or doing more wear on the foil mechanics
You can definitely sway when it makes sense doing so — for example, if there’s like swirl when the hair changes direction and rotating the foil head slightly will allow you to attack that patch head on, meaning against the grain. Just avoid moving the head laterally/sideways as it will increase the chances of snagging some hairs. Oh, and never lift the foil head from the skin during a stroke — stop and then lift it. That’s when pulling and even some nicks can happen.
Swaying shouldn’t increase the wear on the blades/foil but again, it should be done only when it actually makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu