#beardcare

Want to take my next beard trim to the next level, these straight barbers don't know wtf a clean beard looks like and leaving straggling longer hairs everywhere.

Need that Queer Eye ish.

1. THOU SHALT NOT USE DIRTY BLADES!

Using a blade that's been used way too many times. Yes, this one may be obvious, but be sure to keep your used tools as clean as possible. Soap and rubbing alcohol will destroy bacteria. Pro Tip: even brand new blades need to be cleaned.

2. HONOR THY DELICATE SKIN!

Too many blades! If you are prone to ingrown hairs then you don’t need 3 or more blades. More blades equal more passes causing the hair to fall beneath the skin and become ingrown plus more blading the skin leads to micro cuts through which bacteria is more likely to enter and this leads to razor burn.

3. DO NOT TAKE PREP TIME IN VAIN!

You should be using a warm/hot water prep (3-5 mins). Then leave the shaving cream on for more than 2-3 minutes to really soften the hair. The hair stubble should literally fall away with little or no pressure at all. Pressing hard is the problem! Be gentle ya'll.

4. THOU SHALT NOT GO AGAINST THE GRAIN!

Shaving against the grain (upwards) may get you a closer shave but doing so also increases ingrowns. Shave in the direction of hair growth…it’s usually downwards. Check by doing a face/ body inspection to see which way your hair grows.

5. THOU SHALT NOT PRESS!

Pressing too hard on the skin with the blade. A gliding, light touch is all you need. This is likely your biggest issue.

6. THOU SHALT NOT PASS, PASS, PASS!

Too many quick passes with the blade. One pass per hairy area – going 1-2 inches downward at a time – will prevent ingrown hairs. Always shave like you might cause damage, not like your mowing the front yard lawn.

7. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT OVER SHAVING!

Shaving too many times. This rule is hard to follow, especially if you have to be beardless for your career…but if you are prone to ingrowns, try shaving with an electric clipper (the barber kind of clippers). The results are not super close but no one but you will know the difference. Ladies: try waxing, Nair, or an epilator provided your skin can handle these alternatives.

8. THOU SHALT NOT CLOG!

Use of skin/pore clogging creams or lotions keep hairs from growing up. After a shave, keep your skin bare; let the tiny army breath, and allow those newly shaved, really small, microscopic hairs to grow out just in time for the next shave. If your objective is smooth, bump-free skin following a shave or wax then, right after, your goal should be to allow the skin to heal first. Promote healing by proper shaving techniques followed by 70% rubbing alcohol (this kills any bacteria that may enter those micro cuts created from the shave). Using a dab of TendSkin prevents the onset of razor burn. Sure your skin will be a little dry at first but this is a temporary tradeoff. Give it a few hours and let the moisturizing commence!

9. KEEP THY SMOOTH SKIN FREE!

At least for the first day or two, try to avoid tight fitting clothing around the Adam’s apple (neck) and/or below the waistline region. Newly shaved hair follicles need room to raise up.

10. REMEMBER TO EXFOLIATE!

The amount of times where I've seen advice that has "use a straightener" as like tip number 5 in their list, is Too Many.

Also every time I see some kinda company go "don't use normal hair shampoo and conditioner on your beard! it's got bad stuff! use our product instead!" and then you look up the ingredients of their product and it's Literally Worse. i am Begging curly beard folks to look up the curly girl method Please

Anyways,, should i make a Full Post with Proper beard care advice? cause it pains me to see those "my face is scratchy as hell but i look cool" memes (if this is your situation i'm so sorry for you, your facial hair is probably drier than a desert)