Grooming: Why I will never use never a store-bought razor again.

This blog is my review of single blade safety razors, men and women please read this! There is a pleasant surprise for the ladies towards to end of this article. Thank you and hope you enjoy.
​
This past summer I had a very strange skin infection on my neck, it looked like I had acne and no matter how much I cleansed it or no matter what anti-bacterial products I used it would not go away. After having it for longer than I care to admit I went to the dermatologist. He prescribed me a medication, doxycycline, to take daily. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that helps treat skin infections and surprisingly it is also a preventative to malaria, which was great because I started taking this two-month treatment right before I went to India.

After I finished my prescription my infection was gone, but this last week I shaved with my normal Gillette 5 blade razor, almost instantly I had razor burn (which was normal for me) but I also saw those red, acne like bumps return. I was mortified! I had finally cleaned up my infection and in a single swipe of a razor it was back. In that moment I realized the infection came from, my razor. I threw it away instantly and began to research other shaving methods.

When I was in India, I had a straight razor shave and had zero problems with my skin, no razor burn, no irritation, no infection. I began to see what options there were for single blade safety razors.

Over the years I have heard the many benefits of using single blade safety razors. To start they are gentler on the skin because they don’t cut as deep as a three or five blade razor. A multiple blade razor cuts deep into the top layers of the skin, it may produce a cleaner shave, but it is exfoliating your skin too much, causing irritation, deep cuts, razor burn, and perhaps skin infections.

Single blade razors are also more environmentally friendly. A Bic or Gillette razor use so much plastic, not just in the packaging but the razor handle is made of a hard-dense plastic that takes years to break down, some disposable razors maybe recyclable but most are made of a combination of different plastics and can not breakdown easily. Single blade safety razors are made of dense metals and steel, which will last a lifetime!

When I began the search for a new safety razor, I was overwhelmed by the amount of options out there. The men’s grooming industry has exploded in the last decade, it only makes sense that companies are opening up to meet the high demands of the market. With a single Google search, I found over 15 companies selling only single blade safety razors and accessories.

The question is which one do I pick?

I continued my research and read reviews and articles, everyone had their opinion and it’s also difficult to know who was paid to write a review about their products. Men’s Health had their opinion which was fascinating to read but I looked at what the The Guy’s Shaving Club had to say. I liked what The Guy’s Shaving Club had because they offered a comparison chart of the top companies with reviews and where to purchase.

I decided to purchase the VIKINGS BLADE: The Chieftain Double Edge Safety Razor. It was only $28.97, it comes in a nice storage box and included 5 platinum blades in it. I was very excited to try it out, from all the positive reviews it seems like a great razor regardless of experience.

When I opened the box, it had a small card in it that went over how to replace the blade and how to shave with it. I put in the blade, washed my face, lathered up with shaving cream and began. It cut like butter! The blade smoothly grazed my face removing all the hair, leaving my skin intact. I thought I should have made this switch years ago! It took about 5 minutes to shave my face. After rinsing and applying aftershave I felt my smooth skin, noticing how hydrated it felt and noticing the porcelain feeling and even toned color. No redness, no cuts, not bumps, just smooth pale skin.

Throughout the day I kept watching my skin to see if I would have any flare ups, there were no problems, my skin stayed calm and clear the remainder of the day. The icing on the cake is those red ache like bumps created by my last razor were slowly receding away.  

After this experience I am on the single safety razor wagon! I want everyone to make the switch! Not only will your skin thank you, but your wallet will as well, all you will need to purchase is new single blades which is a fraction of the cost of the store brand razor cartridges. The cherry on top is that you will be helping out our beautiful planet! Using less plastic and waste by ditching the plastic razors and making the switch.

Men, make the switch today! Ladies these are not just for men, I have talked to women who purchased single blade razors and use them on their arms, legs, and so on. I have not used them on my body parts but check out this video review  which is by a woman for women.

Join the revolution! Get a safety razor for yourself, friends, and family!

DJH

---