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I recently came across this study and thought that it might be of interest to many of you who experience irritation and/or discomfort when shaving. A kind of How to Shave. While I had a couple of problems with how the study was conducted (more on that later), the overall conclusions about shaving accessories are certainly worth noting. The study was conducted by a dermatologist at Wake Forest University, financed by Gillette (ne Proctor and Gamble).
The Study
The study was composed of 40 men who reported that they suffered from sensitive skin and irritation when shaving. Two shaving regiments were designed. The first was composed of regular bar soap to clean the face, canned shaving cream for beard prep and a popular razor. The second was composed of a proprietary pre shave cleanser, a gel type shaving cream, a high end razor and a post shave balm. The study participants shaved half their face with each shaving regiment for a period of 14 days. The results of the study showed that the second regiment produced a significantly more comfortable shave. They based it on three measures: the participant’s reports of less irritation, their skin was more hydrated and when skin samples were examined under a microscope, less flaking was in evidence.
Although I’m neither a demonologist nor a researcher there do appear to be a couple of things about the study that give you pause. Fact that P&G financed the study. Different razors were used in the regiments. The same razor was used throughout the 14 days. But in spite of these issues the results do pass the basic logic test. If you prepare you face by cleansing it properly, use high quality beard softening/ lubrication soap, cream or gel, use a hydrating post shave balm and you employ a high quality, sharp razor you will get a more comfortable shave, guaranteed.
Conclusions
The result of the study clearly demonstrates the following:
- Cleansing the skin prior to shaving removes all the dirt, oils and dead skin cells from around the hair follicle. This improves the hair water absorptions properties, i.e. fatting and softening it up, enabling the razor to cut the hair closer to the skin without excessive tugging and pulling.
- Using a high quality lubricant (cream, soap or gel) will minimize tugging and pulling and will help hold moisture in hair during the shave.
- Along with the beard, skin cells and moisture is removed during the shaving process which can lead to dry irritated skin. A quality moisturizing balm will assist and re-moisturizing and protecting the skin.
Although significantly increasing the time spent and the expense of your daily shave. Paying attention to these extra steps will surely ensure that you get the closest most comfortable shave possible.
Tags: pre shave cleanser, razor, Shaving Accessories, shaving balm, Shaving Cream, shaving gel