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Is shaving against the grain OK?
I recently got an email from a friend and loyal blog-follower. In following my weekly shaving tips, he noticed that I have been neglecting men who have fine, thin beards. He wrote to me that, despite his best attempts to avoid irritation, he just can’t shave with the grain because the hairs just don’t get cut.
Some people have ultra-straight hair on their head and on their beards. Some people, despite their best attempts, just can’t grow a full beard (or at least something that most of us would consider to be a real one!).
So, here are suggestions for my fine-bearded buddies, for whom I am going to break all my rules.
- It is OK to shave against the grain … if you’re careful. Very straight hair is less likely than curly hair to grow out of the hair follicle in a way that causes ingrown hair, or shaving bumps. When you shave against the grain, you cut the hair very close to the skin, which may be OK when shaving fine, straight hair.
- While you may be dismayed by your sparse facial hair, there’s good news: You probably won’t need to shave as frequently as your werewolf friends. For some, this may mean once a week -- for others, every few days. It all depends on you.
- Follow the same shaving process regardless of how much or how little hair you have. You should wash, apply shaving cream, take light, short strokes, and then moisturize.
Again, my apologies go out to my fair-haired friends. For every rule there is an exception, and that’s you!
Photo: @iStockphoto.com/SoleilC
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I have neither fine hair, sparse hair, or light colored hair. I shave against the grain every single day because if I don't, I have a 5 o'clock shadow at 9AM. Washing before shaving and using an alcohol based aftershave are a requirement, but generally take care any bumps.
How about giving good advice instead of half-baked one? The goal of PROPERLY shaving is not to remove all the hair in one pass. The first pass should be with the grain. The second pass should also be with the grain. Two passes may be enough for many. A third pass may be done at an angle or even against the grain. This may be irritating to some. If you are in the armed forces, you likely have to shave against the grain to pass muster. Proper shaving technique is important, as is proper lather. The art of shaving is increasingly getting lost. I blame disposable multi-blade razors and everybody being in a rush with a can of goo. Get a nice old double-edged razor, a good shaving soap, a shaving brush, and spend 7 minutes on a proper shave. It's not rocket science.
I have course, dark hair and light skin. I shave with the grain, even tho, when I'm done, I still have a 5 o'clock shadow. I get bumps any time I don't. ANd I've tried all the tricks you can imagine. Also, brand new blades are not the best. Optimum comfort seems to come after 2 or 3 shaves and only lasts for 2 or 3 more. If a 5 o'clock shadow at 8am is the worst I have to live with, I think I'm doing pretty well. It's better than nicks, cuts and bumps.
what a waste. i will never return to this website. FAIL.
If I want to be shaven, I must shave against the grain. There is absolutely no alternative. I never use a razor or blade more than twice, yet I have a very harrowing shave on a daily bases. However, I am not fine-bearded buddy but fine-looking. Advice from people who shave every few days must be ignored.
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