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Whether wet or dry shaving: We compare the most important types of razors and answer the most frequently asked questions

What should I pay attention to when buying a razor?

Find out which type of razor is best for you. We present the different variants in detail below.

• Dry or wet shaving? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry shaving is particularly time-saving and safer for the skin. The classic wet shave, on the other hand, is more thorough and precise but also more expensive in the long term.
• It’s worth comparing: Many razors offer expensive comfort functions that you may not even need. You can save a lot of money here.
• Pay attention not only to the purchase costs but also to the follow-up costs!

Razors in comparison

Wet, foil or rotary razor? If you still have no idea which razor is right for you, you can find the right model for you in our detailed buying guide.

Wet razors shave particularly thoroughly

Classic wet shaving is considered to be significantly more thorough and precise than dry shaving. Between two and five blades are usually used. Due to their extreme sharpness, the risk of injuries or skin irritation is high. However, with patience, care, and the right care, such as shaving gel and aftershave, this can be easily prevented. High-quality wet razors also offer moisture strips and skin protection slats to glide better over the skin and provide additional protection.

Buy recommendation: The Gillette Fusion 5 ProGlide. The anti-friction coating makes shaving particularly pleasant and clean.

Foil shavers are particularly gentle on the skin

Compared to rotary razors, electric shavers with a foil shaving head are considered to be gentle on the skin because the thin shaving foil acts as a protective buffer zone between the skin and the blade block. The best shaving results are achieved when straight lines are drawn over the skin. Thanks to its rectangular shape, the foil razor is also ideal for men with partial beards, as contours can be easily traced.

Purchase recommendation: Stiftung Warentest named the new Braun Series 9 Pro as a test winner (grade: 1.6) in its 10/2021 test issue. We also think it’s great because it shaves quickly, gently, and thoroughly.

Rotary shavers are quick and easy

When it comes to a close shave, the rotary system is in no way inferior to the foil razor. Only the way it works is different. Here, the beard hairs are captured from several sides by three rotating blade heads. The best shaving result can be achieved with this mechanism using circular movements. The biggest advantage of the rotary shaver is that the three shaving heads are particularly flexible and fit better into angular areas, such as the chin.

Buy recommendation: The Series 9000 from Philips. Thanks to SkinIQ technology, the intelligent shaver provides feedback on the pressure exerted, recognizes the contours of the face, guides through the shave, and adjusts accordingly.

Razor FAQ: We answer the most important questions

Which razor is suitable for sensitive skin?

Electric shavers are considered to be gentler on the skin and prevent cuts. But there are also options for classic wet shaving: with more intensive care before, during, and after shaving, razor burns, skin irritations, and pimples can also be easily avoided. We recommend Kiehl’s Close-Shavers Squadron Smooth Glider shaving cream. Does your skin still burn? This is how you avoid razor burns.

Is wet shaving with an electric razor worth it?

There are now more and more waterproof models that can be used for wet or dry shaving. The advantage of wet shaving is that shaving directly in the shower or with nourishing foam usually feels more pleasant. However, shaving takes longer and it is harder to see where you have already shaved.

What is the best way to clean my razor?

The operating instructions for the electric shaver contain instructions for the ideal cleaning of the device. Some models also offer an automatic self-cleaning function, including disinfection. It is best to rinse wet razors thoroughly under warm water after shaving and let them air dry.

When should I replace the blade or shaving head?

The major manufacturers of electric shavers recommend replacing the shaving head after 18 to 24 months. With classic wet razors, the shaving frequency and quality of the blade(s) are crucial. Rule of thumb: roughly after two weeks—or as soon as the blade no longer cuts effortlessly.

Which additional features are worthwhile for an electric shaver?

A fold-out or extendable precision trimmer for detail work, a travel case, or a cleaning station can be pretty handy. However, the latter can be quite expensive due to expensive cartridges. Alternatively, it’s worth choosing a completely waterproof model that can then be cleaned in the shower in the morning, for example.

Conclusion: Choosing the perfect razor is a question of your type

If you want to get your daily shave done as quickly and easily as possible, it’s best to use an electric razor. Wet shaving, on the other hand, takes a little more time, but is also more thorough and can easily be expanded into a particularly pleasant and comprehensive care ritual for skin and hair.

If you shave often, you also have to change the blades often. But what does that mean, and when will it happen at the latest?

Blades for modern system razors are manufactured so that they can be used around 5–10 times on average. So much for theory. For some, this may be exactly true. For others, this seems far too early or too late. Why? Here are the details:

How often can I use a razor blade?

How long you can use your razor blades depends largely on how thick your beard hair is and whether you shave everything every time or just clean the contours.

The following applies: the thicker and denser the hair, the faster razor blades wear out. 8 times is the maximum here. If your beard grows rather finely or you only shave the contours, you will have to replace it less often. Then you can use the blades 10 times, if not longer. At the latest, when the lubricating strips dissolve, the razor head should go into the trash.

What if I cut myself more easily with fresh blades?

Fresh blades are the gentlest because they cut the hair the cleanest. But many men also find that a new head only gets good after the second or third shave because they can easily cut themselves with very fresh, super-sharp blades. Is that the case with you too? It’s understandable if you want to delay changing for as long as possible. But you shouldn’t wait too long. Otherwise, you risk even more annoying skin irritations.

Tip: Try to reduce pressure when shaving. This also reduces the risk of cuts.

Why do I have to change the blades so often?

Every time you shave, the blades wear down a bit before eventually becoming dull. The problem is that if the blades are dull, the hair will eventually just get caught in between them. Instead of cutting them off cleanly, you pluck them out of the skin. Which often results in skin irritations such as ingrown hairs. Tips for ingrown beard hair can be found here.

How do razor blades stay sharper?

The problem is deposits between the blades: hair, shaving cream, and dead skin. Please do not remove the dirt with a towel! The lint also clogs the blades. It is much better to rinse the razor with hot (!) water again and again during and after shaving and then let it dry with the head facing up. Under no circumstances should you leave the shaving head on the wet sink or in the damp shower; water will cause the lubricating strips to wear out even faster.

In addition, germs have optimal growth conditions in moist, warm conditions. To be on the safe side, you can also disinfect the razor before using it again. Be sure to let the disinfectant dry completely to avoid skin irritation. We recommend the quick-drying SOS disinfectant spray.

Important: Use different razors for your face and intimate areas. Otherwise, the razor will quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria you keep rubbing into your face. After clicking, you can find out how to properly shave underneath in our intimate shaving guide.

Also important: Don’t buy the cheapest blades. The following applies: quality has its price. For sensitive skin, we recommend the SkinGuardSensitive from Gillette and the associated blades; for heavy beard growth and rather insensitive skin, the Wilkinson Sword Quattro razor blades are our undisputed favorites.

You should change your razor blades regularly. Even if it costs a lot of money, dull blades do not do your skin any favors, and you’ll end up with razor burns and ingrown hairs.

Pluck or cut? What you should pay attention to when removing nose hair. Your life could depend on it (no joke!)

Nose hairs tickle, look strange, and appear whenever someone looks at you. An unkempt beard can still be forgiven as harsh masculinity. But whoever has a forest growing out of his nostrils has lost.

• The Best Tools Against Body Hair In The Check
• This Helps Against Skin Irritation After Shaving
• The Best Methods for Back Hair Removal
• 3 Simple Instructions On How to Cut Your Beard Yourself
• Braided Hairstyles

So, get rid of the wild growth! But how?

A careless groomer can make some typical mistakes when caring for nose hair, one of which is potentially life-threatening. So before you start plucking wildly, concentrate for 4 minutes.

We examined seven methods for removing nose hair. Worrying: Only 2 of these are recommended.

What functions do nose hairs have?

Before you remove your nose hair, you should know that nose hairs may tickle, but they don’t grow for fun or pure boredom. They have a function, like the bear-like back hair in men, which is an evolutionary remnant against cold. We’ll tell you how to properly remove back hair here.

But now back to the topic: nose hairs are a necessary and natural protective shield. The hairs, which are just a few centimeters short, filter bacteria, dust, and dirt particles from the air we breathe. They protect the lungs and windpipe from unhealthy exhaust gases and foreign bodies. For example, if you live in a big city and ride your bike to work, you can be happy about the hair on the inside of your nose. Which doesn’t mean you can’t still remove the visible part.

Should you remove your nose hair at all?

From a medical point of view, there is no need for this. Nose hair is primarily an aesthetic problem. Even a single dark hair protruding from one nostril is considered unappetizing. But you shouldn’t remove nose hair completely anyway. Because, as you have now learned, they serve as dirt filters.

What methods and nose-hair removal tools are there?

1: Pluck nose hairs

Pulling out your nose hairs with tweezers or your fingers might be an obvious idea. But exactly this method is a no-go. And not because it’s painful.

The real reason this procedure could be fatal for you. Tearing causes small tears to form in the nasal mucosa. The many bacteria found on the mucous membrane easily and quickly enter the bloodstream through these micro-wounds.

Result: infections. And not just any, warns ENT doctor Dr. Erich Voigt (New York University). The veins in the nose also lead to the brain. The bacteria from the nasal mucosa can therefore develop into a life-threatening inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). However, other specialists classify this assessment as theoretically possible but practically “exaggerated.” Why play with your own life when there are far better and safer methods? Which are also less painful. By the way, these are the best methods for removing ear hair.

2: Laser nose hair

Permanently removing nose hair is possible. But experts strongly advise against it. The high temperatures destroy the hair roots and damage the sensitive nasal mucosa.

The result is that the natural filter function no longer works, and the risk of infection increases.

3: Remove nose hair with special creams

Hair removal cream contains chemicals. They have no place on the sensitive nasal mucosa. So: stay away!

4: Flame away nose hairs

Burn away nose hairs with a lighter. Eh, no. Hands off. This is as dangerous as it is stupid.

5: Remove nose hair with wax

Similar to plucking, nose hairs are also torn out by the root as they grow. Here too, the risk of infection increases again. The variant can also be quite painful. We have put together the best hair removal methods for men for you here.

Instead, use these two low-risk methods to get rid of annoying nose hairs:

6: Trim nose hair

Use nail scissors (not rusted) with rounded ends and disinfect them to be on the safe side. This way, you avoid injuries and infections.

Turn on the light. Push the tip of your nose slightly upwards from below (“pig nose”) so that you can get a good view of your hair. Then carefully trim the nose hairs that are too long by a few millimeters.

7: Trim nose hair

Special electric nose hair trimmers or cutters are very suitable for removing nose hair. They are effective and have a low risk of injury, and some devices are also suitable for overgrown ear hair.

Clean your nose before using the trimmer. Stuck nose hair is difficult to cut. Turn on the trimmer before inserting it into your nose. Pay attention to quality when purchasing. Bad blades or low-power motors won’t cut properly, and the shaving head can get caught in your nose hair (ouch!). In both cases, there is a risk of nosebleeds.

Conclusion: trim your nose hair, but do it right

Shortening your nose hair is as much a part of a cultivated appearance as regular visits to the hairdresser. Nose hairs also act as the body’s dirt filter for the air we breathe. You should never pull out your nose hair, as this will damage the nasal mucosa and, in the worst-case scenario, give you a nasty infection.

Therefore: only shorten nose hairs that are too long by using rounded nail scissors or a trimmer.