How to Self-Shave the Back of Your Neck

No one has the time to bother with a weekly barber’s appointment. Although some haircuts look better after a few weeks of growth, the back of the neck always looks best with regular upkeep. So instead of wasting your weekend sitting in the barber’s chair, learn how to self shave the back of your neck between appointments.

 

Collecting the Proper Tools

Before trying to shave the back of your neck, you’ll need two mirrors. One mirror should be a large, wall-mounted mirror, preferably located over a sink. The other mirror should be a large hand mirror or a shaving mirror with an adjustable swing arm. It’s best to get a shaving mirror because you’ll have less to hold and a smaller chance that your arms will get tired.

You’ll also need a razor and some shaving gel or shaving cream. What you use on your face is fine, just be sure that your razor is sharp to prevent ingrown hairs. If you won’t commit to shaving the back of your neck every week, get a pair of hair clippers to trim the hairline before you shave.

 

3 Steps for Shaving the Back of Your Neck

1. Stand with your back facing the wall-mounted mirror. Position the other mirror so you can see the back of your head easily. Make sure you’re standing up straight and your head isn’t tilted.
If you have a significant amount of new growth, use clippers to make your first cuts. Start by shaving a horizontal line across the back of the neck, following your natural hairline as well as your previous hair cut as much as possible.
With the horizontal guideline set, rotate the clippers and trim the back of your neck using short, vertical strokes until you reach the horizontal line you just created.

 

2. Check the position of your head again, making sure that your shoulders are straight and your posture is good. If you normally have a rounded hairline, carefully trim the edges of your neckline, making sure that the curves are even.
Rotate your body so you can see one side of your head. Now’s the time to clean up any extra hairs along the side of your neck with the clippers. Check the other side as well, trimming the hairs along the back of your ears as necessary.

 

3. Apply a very thin layer of shave gel or shaving cream along the back of your neck. Be sure not to cover the existing hairline with shaving cream. Use your razor to shave the areas along the back of the neck you just trimmed. Always shave in the direction of the hair growth.
Rinse the back of your neck with cold water and pat it dry with a towel.

 

Getting a Low Maintenance Cut From Your Barber

Trimming your hair regularly will keep your neckline looking tidy, but it may require more time than you’re willing to invest. In this case, talk to your barber and make sure that you’re getting a natural cut along the back of your neck, rather than the standard round or square cut. A natural cut omits cutting off the tail area in favour of a more subtle shape.

A natural neckline should eliminate the need for trimming the middle of the back of your neck. Instead, you’ll just have to trim the sides where the hair tends to grow towards the collar. In these cases, there should only be a few hairs on each side to shave.

No matter what your preferred haircut, knowing how to trim the back of your neck is an immense time saver. It’s also a great skill to have when you want to demonstrate your exceptional grooming habits, such as before a job interview or a wedding.

 

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How to Prevent Irritation When Shaving Your Head

With celebrities like Jason Statham and Ross Kemp embracing a bald crown, the no-hair trend is here to stay. But before trying this style on your own cranium, you need a game plan. A shaved head may be the ultimate low-maintenance hair style, but it does require some basic prep and the right technique to achieve a close shave. Skip these steps, and you can expect razor bumps, skin irritation and ingrown hairs.

Start With the Basic Prep Work

Before shaving your head for the first time, start with a long shower to soften the hair. Then begin with a trim. Use a set of hair clippers to cut your hair so it’s approximately one centimetre long.

If you don’t have a shaving mirror with an adjustable arm, invest in one. That way, you’ll be able to see the back of your head easily. You’ll also be able to avoid shaving the same area twice, which is akey cause of general skin irritation.

Don’t own a set of clippers? Consider going to a barber for your first shave. That way, you’ll only need to shave regularly to maintain your new look.

Establish Your Regular Shaving Routine

Prior to every shave, take a hot shower and then cover your scalp with a shaving cream or shaving oil. Wait about five minutes to let the hair soften fully.

Shave with a sharp razor that has at least three blades. Start with the front of your head, and shave with the grain of the hair. Apply very little pressure when shaving, and let the blade do the work. Rinse the razor after every stroke.

Create an orderly pattern when shaving to avoid shaving over the same spot twice. Save shaving the back of your head for last because that area tends to have the coarsest and thickest hair. Don’t stretch the skin, which can cause ingrown hairs. However, look down when shaving the back of your neck to get an even shave.

Now examine your head carefully. If you want a closer shave, you can repeat this process, except this time you should shave against the grain of the hair. However, if you have curly hair, coarse hair or sensitive skin, you greatly increase the risk that you’ll cause ingrown hairs if you shave again.

Finish With Some Shaving Aftercare

Once you’re done shaving, splash some cold water on your scalp and gently towel the area dry. Use an alcohol-free aftershave balm or lotion to soothe the scalp. Also plan on moisturising your scalp regularly. Look for a moisturiser with SPF unless you want a freckled head.

On the days you’re not shaving your head, use an exfoliating face wash on your scalp to prevent ingrown hairs. Look for something with chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic or salicylic acid, to increase skin cell turnover. After your scalp is clean, apply your moisturiser to protect the newly exposed skin.

Address Persistent Skin Irritation

Some minor scalp irritation is common after your first shave. To prevent aggravating your skin, wait a few days before shaving again, but make sure to moisturise and wash the scalp daily. Most men wait one to three days between shaving sessions.

However, if you follow these tips but still end up with regular razor bumps, you may want to visit a dermatologist. Depending on the cause of your scalp woes, the dermatologist could prescribe a retinoid for better exfoliation or a hydrocortisone to minimise existing irritation. Sometimes a topical antibiotic is necessary to eliminate acne-causing bacteria from the scalp.

Shaving your head means you’ll never need to use conditioner again, but don’t mistake low maintenance for no maintenance. Give your scalp the same level of care as your face, and you’ll have a spot-free scalp that’s worthy of leading-man status.

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A Woman’s Guide to Shaving Your Face

While many women won’t admit it, shaving their face is a regular part of their hair removal routine. Most women have some peach fuzz on their face and, as we age, that hair can become longer and more plentiful. This guide will fill you in on everything you need to know to shave your face with ease.

1. Don’t Use Your Leg Razor

While it doesn’t seem like it would matter, don’t use the same razor you use to shave your legs or other body parts for your face. You don’t want to mix dead skin and bacteria from one area of your body to another. You also run the risk of getting unsightly nicks and cuts when using the same razor. And those nicks and cuts can lead to skin irritation, ingrown hairs and possible infection. Try Dorco Eve that has three blades, a vitamin-E moisturizing strip that will soften and protect the face. It will give you a close, smooth shave that will leave your face feeling buttery soft.

2. Ingrown Hairs May Be a Problem

Anytime you shave you run the risk of in-grown hairs. The friction caused from shaving may leave you with the unsightly hairs on your face. Properly prepping your skin before you shave can help prevent the hairs from forming. Shaving in the direction your hair grows is another way to cut down on ingrown hairs. Also, exfoliating regularly helps keep the unwanted hairs at bay as it removes the dead skin that is the foundation for them to form.

3. Lather Up and Shave

Outside of removing unwanted hairs, shaving is an excellent way to exfoliate the skin. Before you start shaving, thoroughly wet your face to soften up the hairs to make them easier to remove. If you really want to soften and prep your skin, place a hot towel on your face for a few minutes before you begin shaving.

Next, lather the gel shaving cream of your choice all over your face. You want to shave in the direction your hair is growing while limiting the number of passes you make. Shaving in the direction of the hair growth will help cut down on any ingrown hairs. After shaving in the right direction, complete one pass in the opposite direction to get the closest shave possible. Finally, rinse your face and moisturize to keep your skin feeling creamy and soft.

4. Try Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a professional procedure used to exfoliate the face. While not specifically meant to remove hair, hair removal is one of the side benefits of the procedure. Dermaplaning works by taking a straight edge razor or special scalpel, holding it at 45-degree angle to your face and using it to remove the top layer of dead skin cells.

It is not recommended you try dermaplaning at home. You likely won’t be able to get the exact angle needed to properly exfoliate your face, and you may end up hurting yourself since you won’t know how deep you need to go to remove the top layer of skin. Use dermaplaning as a nice addition to your regular shaving routine, but leave it to the professionals.

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