To use an electric shaver, start with clean, dry skin, hold the skin taut with your free hand, and glide the head slowly against the direction of hair growth using light pressure. Go over each area in short passes instead of pressing harder. The technique is the same everywhere, but the face, legs and bikini line each need small adjustments, which are covered below.
How does an electric shaver remove hair?
An electric shaver cuts hair at the surface of the skin. A thin guard sits between the moving blades and your skin, so each hair is cut where it enters the guard. Nothing is pulled out at the root, which is the main difference from waxing or epilating. Hair grows back at its normal pace, so most people shave every few days, depending on how fast their hair grows and how smooth they want the area to stay.
Because the hair is cut and not pulled, shaving suits people who want a quick routine they can repeat often. The trade-off is that regrowth shows sooner than it does after waxing.
What should you do before you start?
- Charge the shaver. A rechargeable shaver that is low on power can slow down and tug at hair.
- Wash and dry the area. Oil, lotion and deodorant make hair lie flat and can clog the head. Unless the instructions for your shaver say it can be used wet, shave on fully dry skin.
- Shorten very long hair first. Long hair can bend under the guard instead of feeding into it. Trim it with small scissors before you shave.
- Check the head. A guard that is dented or packed with old hair is a common cause of irritation. Brush it out before you begin, and do not use a head that looks damaged.
The basic technique, step by step
- Hold the shaver so the head sits flat against your skin.
- Use your free hand to stretch the skin gently. A flat surface helps hair stand up and enter the guard.
- Move slowly against the direction of hair growth. Where hair grows in several directions, try small circular motions.
- Keep the pressure light. Pressing harder does not cut closer. It only adds friction.
- Make short repeat passes over missed hairs instead of holding the shaver in one spot.
- Brush loose hair off the skin, then apply a plain moisturizer if your skin feels dry.
How do you adjust for each area?
| Area | What is different | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Face | Fine hair on small, curved areas | Short strokes with the skin held taut around the upper lip and chin |
| Legs | A large area where hair mostly grows downward | Shave upward from ankle to knee, and bend the knee to flatten the skin around it |
| Bikini line | Coarser hair and skin that folds | Shorten long hair first, then shave small sections with the skin held flat |
| Hands and arms | Fine hair growing in mixed directions | Light circular motions |
Face
Remove makeup and skincare first, then dry your face completely. Facial hair is usually fine and soft, so it needs very little pressure. For the upper lip, press your tongue behind the lip to push the skin outward and give the shaver a flatter surface. For the chin and jaw, tilt your head back slightly. Skip any area with an active breakout, a cut or sunburn until the skin has settled.
Legs
Sit down so you can reach comfortably and see what you are doing. Work in long sections from the ankle upward, overlapping each pass a little. Knees and ankles are where most hairs get missed, because the skin there is loose and bony. Bend the knee to stretch the skin over it, and point your foot to smooth the skin around the ankle.
Bikini line
Hair here is thicker and often curly, so shorten it before shaving if it is long. Stand with one foot raised on a stool or the edge of the bath so the skin along the crease lies flat. Shave a small section at a time, first in the direction the hair grows, then gently against it if you want a closer result. Stop if the skin starts to feel hot or sore, and finish another day.
A shaver made for several areas
If you would rather keep one tool for everything, the Uexim rechargeable electric shaver for women is listed as suitable for the face, legs, bikini area, hands and body. It removes hair by cutting, runs on a rechargeable battery, and comes in Purple or Upgraded Purple. The listing does not say whether it can be used in the shower, so treat it as a dry shaver unless the instructions in your box say otherwise.
Which mistakes cause irritation?
- Pressing down. This is the most common cause of redness. Let the shaver do the cutting.
- Shaving over lotion or deodorant. Product residue clogs the head and makes hair harder to catch.
- Rushing. Fast strokes skip hairs, which leads to going over the same patch again and again.
- Using a clogged head. Hair packed behind the guard stops new hair from feeding in.
- Applying fragranced products straight after. Freshly shaved skin can sting. A plain moisturizer is a gentler choice.
How do you look after the shaver?
Switch it off and brush hair out of the head after every use. Follow the cleaning directions that come with your device, because not every shaver can be rinsed under water. Let all parts dry before you put the cap back on, store it somewhere dry, and recharge it before the battery runs completely flat so it is ready next time.
More hair removal guides
- Shaving your underarms with an electric shaver: how to handle the hollow and the mixed growth directions.
- Trimming your bikini line with an electric trimmer: marking the line, trimming and tidying the edge.
- Trimmer vs shaver: what each one does and when to use both.
- What to look for in a body hair trimmer: a checklist for reading a listing.
- Cordless shaver battery life and charging: what the numbers mean.
- Shaving with a double edge safety razor: a beginner's guide to the manual option.
- Trimming nose hair safely: what to trim and what to leave.
Frequently asked questions
Does hair grow back thicker after using an electric shaver?
No. Shaving cuts the hair at the surface, which leaves a blunt tip. That tip can feel coarser as it grows out, but the hair itself has not changed.
How often should you shave?
As often as you like the result to last. Many people shave their legs every few days and their face or bikini line when regrowth becomes noticeable.
Can you use the same shaver on your face and body?
You can if the shaver is described as suitable for both. Brush the head clean between areas, and many people prefer to do the face first.
Should you shave before or after a shower?
With a dry shaver, shave before you shower, or wait until your skin is completely dry afterward. Damp skin makes hair stick down and the head drag.
The bottom line
Clean, dry skin, a taut surface and light, slow passes do most of the work. Adjust your position for each area, keep the head clean, and stop when the skin has had enough.
0 comments