The useful bit
Give your technique as much attention as your razor. Start with softened hair and shave in the direction it grows.
Prepare before the first stroke
The AAD advises wetting the skin and hair before shaving; just after a shower is a useful time. Apply shaving cream or gel. If your skin is dry or sensitive, look for one labelled for sensitive skin.
Make space for this step in your morning. A rushed dry pass over a missed patch is a different routine from the one you planned.
Follow the direction of growth
Shave in the direction your hair grows and rinse the razor between strokes. The AAD recommends both to help minimise irritation.
Check your neck as well as your cheeks. Use a mirror and take a moment to work out the direction before starting, rather than assuming every area needs the same stroke.
Look after the blade
The AAD advises changing disposable blades after five to seven shaves and storing the razor somewhere dry. A wet shower ledge is a poor storage spot.
Factor replacement heads into the cost when comparing razors. The handle is only one part of what you will spend.
Persistent bumps deserve attention
If changing your shaving habits does not resolve razor bumps, the AAD recommends seeing a dermatologist. Repeatedly buying a new balm may leave the underlying problem unaddressed.
Keep a note of the razor, products and shaving frequency you use so you can describe the routine clearly.
Source: AAD: when to seek help for razor bumps ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Original guidance for Insider Beauty Men. Sources checked 28 October 2026. Research-based editorial; no hands-on product testing is claimed. Source links open in a new tab.