Shaving, Beard Design, and Facial Hair Services
This domain covers razor shaving and beard shaping: preparation, razor angle, skin tension, outline placement, and contraindications. The exam favors practical scenarios about comfort, safety, and symmetry.
Shave sequence
- Consult and inspect the skin, then apply a hot towel, pre-shave product, and lather.
- Hold the razor at about a 30-degree angle, stretch the skin, use short strokes, rinse the blade often, and use light pressure.
- Make the first pass with the grain; go across or against the grain only if the skin tolerates it, and take extra care on the neck.
- Finish with a cool towel, astringent, and moisturizer; disinfect the razor afterward.
Beard design
- Place the neckline about one finger width above the Adam's apple, or about two finger widths above, and follow the jaw curve.
- Keep the cheek line natural rather than too high; remove stray hairs and check symmetry from the front and side.
- Outline with a trimmer or razor, trim length with guards, and comb the beard to check balance.
Contraindications
Do not shave over moles, warts, acne, cold sores, razor bumps, recent chemical peels, or broken skin; refer instead.
Worked example
A client wants a sharp beard. Establish the neckline one finger above the Adam's apple and curve it behind the jaw; set the cheek line at the natural growth; trim with a #2 guard, outline with a trimmer, then razor the edges. View the face from the front and side, and adjust the heavier side rather than removing more from both sides.
Traps that cost marks
Shaving against the grain first, pressing too hard, cutting the neckline too high, over-thinning one side, skipping disinfection, and shaving over lesions.