Tip of the week: How to shave properly

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.

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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