Shaving and Facial-Hair Services
Core concepts
A professional shave is a skin service as much as a hair service. Consult for allergies, medications, skin conditions, and beard growth direction. Prepare with a hot towel, cleanse, and apply lather; keep lather warm but not scalding. Stretch the skin with the free hand, hold a straight razor at about 30 degrees, and use short, light strokes with the grain. Re-lather for a second pass; across-the-grain is acceptable for many clients, while against-the-grain only if skin tolerates it. Finish with a cool towel, rinse, pat dry, and apply aftercare. Sanitize the razor and change blades; never double-dip into a lather cup or use a communal towel.
Traps
More pressure does not give a closer shave; it causes razor burn and ingrown hairs. Never shave over a raised mole, wart, cold sore, sunburn, or infected acne. A styptic stops minor bleeding but does not disinfect. Straight razors require cleaning and disinfection; honing sharpens, stropping aligns the edge. Hot towels are not for clients with certain circulatory or sensory conditions.
Worked example
A client has a red, raised spot on the jaw. Do not shave over it. Work around the area, finish the service, and advise the client to have a physician evaluate it. Document the decision. If bleeding occurs, glove, apply styptic, discard the contaminated disposable, and disinfect tools.
Rule of thumb
Shave with the grain first, stretch skin taut, and use the least pressure that cuts hair.