Try a preshave routine. Most men don’t bother washing their faces before shaving, but experts say removing oil and dirt from the skin leads to a better shave. If you have sensitive skin, consider using a moisturizer.
Use hot water. Hot water, splashed on the face or applied with a damp towel, softens a protein in the hair shaft to allow for an easier shave. Steam from a shower helps soften whiskers too.
Shave with the grain. But then shave against the grain, too, for the closest shave, if it doesn’t irritate your skin.
Fight ingrown hairs before shaving. If you suffer ingrown whiskers, don’t shave against the grain, and use a shaving gel with a moisturizer. Use a cleanser at night, and instead of tweezing ingrown hairs, rub a washcloth in a circular motion on your skin to loosen slightly embedded hairs.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
