People with facial hair, how do you shave/trim?

[Dystopia]

I go against the grain and only use a single blade. Multi-bladed razors only increase irritation and don't do a better job. There's a limit to how close you can get. I also find that shaving after a hot shower decreases pain and irritation. I use a warm wet towel if I'm shaving without the shower.

You are supposed to shave with the grain, not against it, which is probably why your skin is irritated. Multi-bladed razors have the extra blades so that you can shave closer to the skin in one stroke.

As for me, I use multi-bladed razors for shaving my neck area in order to create a good neckline for my beard. I also shave my upper cheeks because my beard does not grow very well there. I use an electric beard trimmer to trim the actual beard to a length when I want to keep it short (in the summer), and then for winter I grow it out and use a pair of scissors to shape.

When I grew a beard I used a disposable with two blades to shape my cheek line - It does a good enough job - You can technically shave against the grain but you should shave with and across first to reduce stubble length otherwise you will be almost ripping hairs off and cut yourself badly - Not everyone can do it though, my skin doesn't allow it. For those with really sensitive skin I'd recommend shaving ONLY with the grain. More blades do allow to shave more hairs in less passes, but the goal shouldn't be to get all the hairs in one pass - Just put more cream in your face and shave again to get all the remaining hairs.

[Iroscato]

I used to shave against the grain, but now I go with it, much better.
I use a 5-bladed Wilkinson's Sword razor with shaving gel, it gives a magnificently close and comfortable finish. My neck, particularly under my chin is VERY sensitive, so I have to be liberal with gel in that area.

[Tiberius]

When I grew a beard I used a disposable with two blades to shape my cheek line - It does a good enough job -

A single blade razor would probably do a "good enough" job, but if you want a closer shave then you either need multi-bladed razors, or a straight edge razor (though with the straight edge you risk cutting yourself more).

You can technically shave against the grain but you should shave with and across first to reduce stubble length otherwise you will be almost ripping hairs off and cut yourself badly - Not everyone can do it though, my skin doesn't allow it.

I mean, technically yes you can, but you really shouldn't. You increase the chances of razor burn and skin irritation because you are pulling the hairs in the "wrong" direction. Even when you've shaved with the grain first, you shouldn't do it. Oh, and you also risk causing ingrown hairs.

For those with really sensitive skin I'd recommend shaving ONLY with the grain. More blades do allow to shave more hairs in less passes, but the goal shouldn't be to get all the hairs in one pass - Just put more cream in your face and shave again to get all the remaining hairs.

The reason for multiple baldes isn't to shave more hairs in less passes (though I'm sure it does), it's the shave closer to the skin. There is a good reason for wanting to shave more hairs in less passes as well though; namely, that the less passes you need to make, the less chance of getting razor burn you will have.

[Regina]

For a long time I've been wearing a stubble because I liked having some facial hair, but it's only good for a stubble as it's too patchy for a full beard yet. I just decided last week to go clean shaven again (I do occasionally, for a change) and I've been getting used to using the little disposable razors again (cut myself twice so far because I'm not used to it).

To be honest though, when going clean shaven I've been shaving "against the grain" for a long time and I don't think I've ever had an ingrown hair or bumps, although I do nick myself quite a lot even when going with the grain. I think I'm a bit too heavy handed, I need to work on that because I worry a lot about scarring.

For when I wear my stubble out, I keep it trimmed neat with an electric beard trimmer. I would say the brand, but I can't remember where I last put it and can't be arsed to look now.

[Iroscato]

Also I have this really small...it's not even a mole, just a tiny bump on my chin, yet I almost always manage to nick the little fucker, giving me a bright red dot on my chin for the rest of the day
In fact, that was one of the factors that makes me keep my beard going in some form or another.

[SteelCurtain]

I use a Wahl 000 trimmer for my neck/hairline.

I use a Gillette Fusion 6 bladed razor for my body. It's got 5 blades on the razor head and one on the end that allows me to trim my faceline and shape my beard.

I cannot shave my neck with a razor, as no matter which way I shave it, I will get epic ingrown hairs.

[Regina]

Also I have this really small...it's not even a mole, just a tiny bump on my chin, yet I almost always manage to nick the little fucker, giving me a bright red dot on my chin for the rest of the day
In fact, that was one of the factors that makes me keep my beard going in some form or another.

That's the same for me. Aside from that I really like the look of my stubble, it's because I nick myself at least once most times I shave. It's just easier and more painless having a stubble.

I'd grow my facial hair out more and try a small beard if it wasn't so damn patchy. It also turns ginger once it gets to about 2cm long. My hair hair (hair on my head, not face) is really dark brown so it looks stupid.

[Dystopia]

A single blade razor would probably do a "good enough" job, but if you want a closer shave then you either need multi-bladed razors, or a straight edge razor (though with the straight edge you risk cutting yourself more).

As I've mentioned, safety razors contain two edges, each with one single blade, and they do a better job than any disposable and probably most cartridges as long as you have fresh blades and the proper technique - Multi blades does not equal a closer shaver, that is only true if the blades are high quality - Two high quality blades will do a better job than 4 low quality. A straight razor is a great shaving tool but it requires training and technique - Honestly, most people who get into the hobby watch lots of videos and even read books and when the time comes to shave for the first time with a Straight razor they'll be so careful with the technique and pressure that the nicks you get are not worst than the ones you get with a regular cartridge or dispoable razor.

I don't know if you use cream to maintain your beard, but I used a small amount of shaving gel to soften my skin - There isn't a large difference for me between two or three or four blades, the closeness is basically the same.

I mean, technically yes you can, but you really shouldn't. You increase the chances of razor burn and skin irritation because you are pulling the hairs in the "wrong" direction. Even when you've shaved with the grain first, you shouldn't do it. Oh, and you also risk causing ingrown hairs.

Just curious about something - We are always careful to teach young men to not shave against the hair's growth patterns but we seem to be ok with shaving body hair against the grain due to the need of getting smooth skin - Why does this happen?

Yes, many barbers recommend shaving just with the grain - My barber only shaves with the grain, if you ask for a close shave, he will ask permission to use a straight razor or a shavette (basically a straight razor with replaceable blades) because those provide a close shave with the grain. However, for people experienced who have the right skin you can successfully shave against the grain after shaving both with and across it and make sure you apply enough cream. I've successfully managed to get what wetshavers call baby butt smooth skin by shaving against the grain without any kind of irritation, but I used lots of cream, had a hot shower and shaved accross the grain first. I think shaving across the grain is useful (basically shave sideways to growing pattern, for example I shave from the ear in the direction of my lip/chin) because it doesn't irritate as much as provides a closer shave. Also, doing something like a 45 degree angle against the grain - Basically not fully against but slightly turn your razor against the hair grow - Can be useful

The reason for multiple baldes isn't to shave more hairs in less passes (though I'm sure it does), it's the shave closer to the skin. There is a good reason for wanting to shave more hairs in less passes as well though; namely, that the less passes you need to make, the less chance of getting razor burn you will have.

This is where I don't have scientific understanding - How does more blades get a closer shave? If I pass the same blade on the same skin area I will not get a closer shave as the hair is already cut by the first blade. Can you explain it to me better? I agree that shaving in less passes is useful, that's why I finish with my second pass and only do little passes on the first part of my shave. I still don't see how more blades gets a closer shave - I know Gillette says it, but Gillette is known for lawsuits against overpriced items and dishonest marketing that is unfounded

[Clueless Morgan]

Sorry, I just always wanted to post that meme somewhere...

[*Deidre*]

Don't shave, beards are so smokin' hot!