How to Shave Your Beard

Co-authored by Juan Sabino

Last Updated: February 5, 2020 References

Whether you’ve kept a beard for several months or several years, shaving it off can be a momentous decision. It can also be stressful. But if you approach the shave methodically and carefully, you can avoid irritating your skin and keep your face clear of nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Trimming and Washing Your Facial Hair

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Use a beard trimmer to reduce the amount of hair you need to shave. If you have a full beard, it will be difficult to shave it all off using only a razor. Trimming as much of your beard down to stubble as you can with your beard trimmer will make it easier to shave it off with a razor later.^{[1]
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- You can purchase a beard trimmer at most major retailers and large pharmacies.
- If you don’t have a specialty beard trimmer or a set of clippers, have your barber trim your beard for you.
- If you have over 4 week’s growth, trim your beard to stubble and then wait a week before shaving the stubble. This gradual approach will help reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and skin irritation.^{[2]
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2
Exfoliate your face with a facial scrub to remove dead skin, oil, and dirt. Exfoliating your skin before shaving will also help lift your hairs, allowing for a closer shave. You can use either a facial scrub or wash.^{[3]
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- Since you haven’t shaved for a while, your skin will be sensitive. For this reason, don’t scrub too hard when exfoliating your skin.
- You may also want to use a shaving cream for dry and sensitive skin.
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3
Wash your face with warm or hot water before starting to shave. Shaving after washing your face with warm water will soften your beard and open your pores. This will help prevent your skin from becoming irritated and will reduce the risk of nicks and cuts.^{[4]
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- The best time to shave your stubble is during or right after a warm shower.
- Draping a warm, wet towel over your face is another way to open your pores.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Giving Yourself a Smooth Shave

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Lather your face with shaving gel or foam to improve razor glide. For best results, use a brush to apply the shaving cream to your face. A brush will help you apply the shaving cream evenly, which may help prevent ingrown hairs.^{[6]
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- For a smoother shave, add some water to your shaving cream before applying it to your face.
- Let the shaving cream sit on your face for 2 – 3 minutes before starting to shave, so that the cream can fully moisten your facial hair.^{[7]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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2
Check that your razor is sharp to reduce skin irritation. If you haven’t shaved your beard for a while, your skin may be quite sensitive and easily irritated. Using a dull razor may make your skin even more irritated.^{[8]
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- Keep your razor stored in a dry place to help prevent bacteria from growing on the blades.
- If the lubricator strip on your razor cartridge looks worn, switch to a new cartridge.^{[9]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
EXPERT TIP

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber
Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness.

Juan Sabino
Professional Barber

Why does my skin get irritated when I shave? The leading cause of skin irritation after shaving is an unsanitary razor. Most people keep their razors for a long time, and if you don't sanitize it after every use, you might end up with breakouts and irritation from the bacteria on the blades.
3
Shave with the grain to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. Move the razor against your face in the direction your hair grows. While going against the grain will give you a closer shave, your skin will be sensitive if you haven’t shaved for a while and will be easily irritated.^{[10]
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- Stretch your skin taut as you shave to prevent cutting yourself.
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Use short, 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) strokes. If you use long strokes, the blades of your razor will become clogged with hair. This will make it difficult for you to get a close and even shave.^{[11]
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- Shave slowly and gently to prevent nicking your skin.
5
Rinse your razor in warm water after each swipe. Rinsing your razor will prevent the blades from clogging up with hair. Using warm water to rinse your razor will keep the blades warm, allowing for a smoother shave.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You can rinse your razor with running water from the tap or in a sink full of water.
6
Save your neck for last to avoid skin irritation and razor bumps. The skin on your neck is more sensitive than your face. Shaving it last will give the shaving cream more time to soften up the hair, minimizing irritation.^{[13]
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- Shave your neck in 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) sections just like you did with your face.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finishing Up After You Shave

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Check your face for rough patches that your razor missed. After rinsing any remaining shaving cream off your face, examine your shave in a mirror and feel your face. If you missed any spots, re-lather your face with shaving gel or cream and shave those areas.^{[14]
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- Try not to go over any area more than once to avoid irritating your skin.
2
Rinse your face with cool or cold water to close your pores. Try not to rub your face too hard when you’re trying to get the shaving cream off your face. Rubbing your recently shaved face can irritate your skin and lead to redness.^{[15]
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- Check your face and neck in the mirror to make sure you’ve rinsed off all the shaving cream.
- Don’t forget to wipe behind your ears. Shaving cream can sometimes end up in this easy-to-miss location.
3
Moisturize your skin with a moisturizer after rinsing your face. Applying a moisturizer after your shave will help your skin heal and ease irritation. When applying lotion after a shave, lightly pat the lotion on your face while it’s still wet. Try to avoid rubbing the lotion onto your face, as this can irritate your skin.^{[16]
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- Using a moisturizer with SPF will also help protect your skin from the sun.
- Try to avoid using perfumed or alcohol-based aftershaves. These can dry out or irritate rather than soothe your skin.^{[17]
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