<p>I’m out of my area of expertise here and I’m hoping CCers will be able to help me with this one.</p>
<p>My son (18 years old) uses an electric shaver because that is what his father originally set him up to use. He has a fairly heavy beard and complains that to cut all the whiskers on his neck and under his chin, he has to go over and over it with his shaver, irritating his skin in the process.</p>
<p>So, my question is, from your experience, what is the best way to get a close shave without irritating the skin? Does he need to switch to a razor and shaving cream? Would a brush for the cream also help in that case?</p>
<p>My DS used an electric razor about three times before he switched to a disposable razor and shaving cream. Good ole Barbersol and Personna Matrix 3 disposable razors give him a nice close shave without nicks and cuts. Poor kid had to figure out how to shave on his own. I had no idea how to tell him to work around the jawline and the chin. He missed quite a few times before he finally got a nice clean shave.</p>
<p>I use noxema (now an old guy’s shave cream…if you can find it) and any Gillette razor. If you make sure your beard is wet enough, it is very soft and easy to cut. If it is dry it is not. (Think pasta). </p>
<p>I’ve tried electrics from time to time years ago and they irritate the heck out of your skin and do not easily shave close. If you take notice you will observe that all of the electric razor ads are on tv around christmas time. It is my conjecture that 80+ percent of electric razors are bought for men by women as presents.</p>
<p>We should do a survey of how many men use an electric razor regularly. I’ll be surprised if its more than 15% or so.</p>
<p>My husband and son are both converts to The Art of Shaving system, which includes pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and after-shave balm. It’s expensive, but it lasts a long time and works great for those with heavy beards or sensitive skin. </p>
<p>Whatever razor he uses, make sure he pulls the skin tight in the area he is shaving. Loose skin gets chewed up by the razor more. The neck skin is especially vulnerable.</p>
<p>My hairy sometimes bearded son also gave up on the electric shavers and prefers the Gillette Fusion. The blades aren’t cheap (I think) but he swears by that and shave cream.</p>
<p>My husband and both sons use a razor rather than an electric shaver. According to them, the electric shaver chews up their skin. They seem to prefer Gillette razors. Husband has been using Noxema shaving cream for years.</p>
<p>I prefer the Gillette Fusion as well. The last time I used a different razor, I cut myself pretty good. That’s probably been close to a year ago. Yes, the blades are expensive ($12-13 for 4 of them). Mine normally last over a month though; sometimes longer. I also use the Fusion shaving cream too.</p>
<p>I had the same problem, trying over and over with the the electric shaver and taking off more skin than hair.</p>
<p>Solution - don’t even think about shaving more than a few day’s worth of hair with an electric shaver. It’s not made to handle that.</p>
<p>Instead get an electric trimmer. An electric trimmer will cut through heavy growth like butter, and leave you with a short stubble the electric shaver will take off easy. </p>
<p>You shouldn’t require more than one quick pass with the trimmer and one pass with the shaver. I use a Panasonic ER 224, it works great.</p>