Everyone who shaves knows this unpleasant and painful process: Nicks and Cuts. This is inevitable, and somewhere along the line, you are bound to suffer a Nick or Cut when shaving, no matter who you are or how good your technique is.
While shaving Nicks and Cuts are rarely very serious, they still need to be treated and, on the contrary, can be prevented. A good and high-quality razor that is comfortable for you to use is your best weapon in the defense against Nicks and Cuts!
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What Causes Shaving Nicks and Cuts
There are a few major causes when it comes to Nicks and cuts;
- One of the most common causes is not preparing or cleansing your skin before shaving. This includes not exfoliating your skin to get rid of build-up, which can lead to a smoother shave and reduce the risk of nicks and cuts.
- Do not use shaving or low-quality shaving cream that irritates your skin or is ineffective.
- Your razor may likewise be the problem; it may be either too advanced or the opposite. All you need is a good safety razor with two or three blades, a comfortable handle, and a pivoting head for better control and less risk of nicks and cuts.
- Your skin is susceptible after shaving, and if you already have a Nick or Cut, a good aftershave will not only help heal such irritation but also moisturize and refresh your skin, acting as a disinfectant and astringent to prevent further irritation and rash from developing.
Treating Minor Nicks and Cuts
We all know how much a Nick or Cut can bleed and how painful it can sometimes be. For fast relief and to stop the bleeding in its tracks, here are a few quick and easy tips that will provide you with immediate comfort:
- An ancient fashion tradition is to stick small toilet paper pieces on the cuts, which works but takes some time. Just don’t forget to remove the toilet paper before leaving your home.
- An ice cube applied to the affected area can stop the bleeding and reduce swelling from irritation.
- On the contrary, a cloth with warm water can stop the bleeding and cauterize the wound.
- Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that constricts blood vessels to relieve bleeding and prevent infection.
- Balm or Vaseline has a waxy consistency, sealing the cut and forcing blood to clot.
- If you do not have any of these at hand, your roll-on antiperspirant or deodorant contains aluminum chloride, which can help stanch the bleeding. You can also splash some mouthwash Listerine, an antiseptic, on the cut.
- Then there is the old, trusted home remedy of using sugar to stop the bleeding and draw out infection from the wound.
These are some excellent home remedies and solutions that are not only effective but also easy to come by when you need to stop bleeding and disinfect a Nick or Cut. They empower you to take control of your shaving experience. Though there are also plenty of over-the-counter and pharmaceutical remedies that you can ask for at your local drug store that may be even more effective and safe to use.
Preventing Shaving Nicks and Cuts
As they always say, “Prevention is better than Cure,” well, here are a few preventative measures;
Likewise, you can follow this step-by-step video for the best tips on preventing Nicks and Cuts when shaving:
- Start with a proactive skincare regime and prepare your skin before shaving by exfoliating and taking a warm shower to open the pores. This will put you in control of your shaving experience and significantly reduce the risk of Nicks and Cuts.
- Use a high-quality shave cream and use an effective amount of such.
- Ensure your razor is right; look for multiple blades and a flexible head and neck, or use a sensitive razor.
- Could you make sure you sharpen or replace your blades efficiently?
- Watch your technique, short, gentle strokes, no pressure, and reapply your shave cream as needed.
- A good aftershave seals the deal; it refreshes and moisturizes your skin while acting as a disinfectant and astringent to prevent irritation and rash from developing!
What to Look for in a Razor to Prevent Nicks and Cuts
One of the most important factors in preventing Nicks and Cuts is the quality and design of your razor; every individual is different, so you need to find a razor that suits you best!
Here are a few features to look out for in a good razor to prevent Nicks and Cuts;
Just as any good and accomplished artist will not use cheap brushes or paints, so you should not use poor-quality razors;
Safety Razors
A safety razor has a double edge where the blade is locked at a safe angle, and only its very edge is exposed to prevent nicks and cuts. Although this is a great choice for beginners and prevents nicks and cuts, it is limited when shaving around the angular parts of your face.
Embedded Safety Guards
I have seen a razor with an embedded safety guard, enabling you to shave easily around curves without limiting a locked blade.
Flexibility
A razor with a flexible neck or unrestricted pivoting ensures much better control and allows you to easily reach those hard-to-reach areas without the risk of Nicks and Cuts.
In Conclusion
When it comes to Nicks and cuts, there are a few preventative measures, although you may still experience such an incident; luckily, the treatments are quick and easy at hand.
A good razor is your tool for shaving, as a good paintbrush is a tool for an artist; I have encountered many safety razors and three-blade razors, each with positive and negative features. For the most part, safety razors are the best choice for preventing Nicks and Cuts, although I have noticed that they do not give the closest shave and are hard to use along certain angles and curves.
One that stood out to me is the Defender Three Blade Razor, which allows superb unrestricted pivoting and has embedded safety guards, so you will still get all the safety measures without limitations.
