The Science Behind Shaving

Having been versed in the complexities of one-blade razoring since the age of nine, Carmelo has taught thousands of men the correct way to shave and has been published in many men’s magazine and daily papers.

Melogy's wet shave is not just about removing facial hair – it's a professional experience teamed with the opportunity to learn the art of shaving.

Melogy’s seven steps to achieve the perfect shave:

• Step 1. Check how the hair stands

  The more horizontal the hair growth, the greater the problems. Hair growing close to the skin is the main cause of razor bumps, in-growing hair and irritation. Take this into account in your preparation: make your hairs stand proud.

• Step 2. Evaluate the thickness

  There are three main hair types - fine, medium and coarse. The thicker the hair the greater the resistance to the blade. The coarser the hair, the shorter the blade stroke.

• Step 3. Consider the density

  The density of beard growth varies across your face. The denser the area of hair growth, the harder it is for the blade to cut it. As the density changes so must your blade speed.

• Step 4. Look at your skin type

  How the skin reacts to shaving can be as a result of skin type. Firstly it must be determined whether your skin is dry, oily, normal, combination, acne-prone or sensitive as irritating the skin can destroy its integrity by breaking down its protective barrier and encouraging bacteria. Adapting your preparation to take your skin type into account is vital to achieving optimum results.

• Step 5. Don't cut corners when it comes to preparation

  The more time you spend on the preparation, the better the shave. Apply warm water to the face and prepare the beard area with Shaving oil which protects the skin from the blade and helps to soften the hair, easing the shaving process as the blade meets less resistance. Use a bristle brush to smooth, soften and lift the hair, whilst also exfoliating the skin. This will also allow the blade to move more easily, giving a closer shave.

• Step 6. Check your shaving technique

  Study your beard growth and take into account the direction of the hair, which varies across the beard. It is important to stretch the skin and follow the hair direction as the primary cause of irritation and razor bumps is shaving constantly against the hair.

  Some men are able to shave against the hair growth with no problems, while some men cannot. Shave first with the grain, re-wet the face and go across the grain, and only if your skin can take it re-wet again and go against. Remember, always rinse the blade under hot water before shaving and between each stroke.

• Step 7. Banish post-shave laziness

  Once you have completed your shave, apply a soothing, moisturising oil which is easily absorbed into the skin, restoring the barrier function which is lost as a result of shaving. This also slows down the ageing process by encouraging cell regeneration.

A wet shave is not just about removing facial hair. It is a chance to look after your skin's appearance now and for the future.