Options, Part 1

We’re not going to write very much about shaving blades. There is plenty of that elsewhere, although we may digress from time to time and discuss blade technology. Instead, we’ll focus on the three elements that make up an effective shave – preparing the whiskers; lubricating the whiskers and skin; and soothing and restoring the skin from a destructive act. And we’ll talk a bit about the process itself – the routine, simplicity, ritual, and ease that can influence the choice of what method and product to use.

There are billions of faces and skin to shave, with countless differences and requirements to meet, but as far as options for shaving go, there are really only about half a dozen choices.

·         Water

·         Oil

·         Foam

·         Chemical Compounds

·         Detergents

·         Electric razors

·         Soap

No one option is going to work for every shaving need, and while some options may be better than others overall, each option may work for a particular user, given their unique personal circumstances.

Let's start with water. Water is the key element in softening whiskers. The softer the whisker, the easier it is for a blade to make the cut.  Whiskers are kind of like spaghetti noodles. Straight out of the box the noodles are hard and dry. Water and heat work very effectively to soften the noodles. Same with your whiskers. They absorb water, especially with heat. And when they do, the whiskers become soft. For most faces, however, water is insufficient for shaving. (There are a few who can shave with water only, but they’re a rare breed.)

One reason for water being insufficient is because most faces have oil in the skin pores, which will repel the water. Oil and water do not mix. Every whisker is surrounded by microscopic beads of oil. And oil will push the water molecules away.. So water by itself is insufficient to lubricate the skin for a blade to pass over. It may soften the whiskers if sufficiently applied, but it won’t lubricate, and it won’t provide the nourishment the skin needs.

Oil is a great lubricant, especially as a skin lubricant. Oil can also contain critical fatty acids, which are crucial for repairing skin cells. There are a couple of shortcomings with respect to shaving, however. First is that oil doesn't soften the whiskers as effectively as water. Try soaking spaghetti noodles in oil. Secondly, oil is simply a hard product to work with for shaving. It clogs the razor, it’s hard to wash up after. And the combination of oil and whiskers going down the sink drain is not something most people would care to deal with. In short, it is not the most effective means, and it’s messy. However, oil, including oil blends, may be the only choice for individuals with extremely sensitive skin. Those fatty acids go a long way in helping to rebuild skin cells, and oil will not irritate the skin.

Foam is probably the least effective solution for softening whiskers and lubricating. It does neither well. Foam is a chemical compound that is mostly air. The best it can do is hold a little bit of water against the skin, but it doesn’t do that well as the foam/air molecular structure competes with the skin to absorb the water.  It is wasteful. It requires butane derivatives to propel the foam out of the can. And the can is not the best thing you can put into the trash. There are a couple of benefits to foam, however. As a chemical compound, skin nourishing ingredients can be added. Better foams may contain glycerin, aloe vera, or other elements to help the skin. Foam is simple, easy, and quick. And if you’re a dad with small kids, foam is great fun for the kiddos. That counts for a lot. But overall, as a viable shaving product, the use of foam in today is the result of great marketing overcoming poor effectiveness.

That’s enough for now. The next post will address chemical compounds, detergents, and glycerin.