Shaving and Facial Hair Services
What the exam tests
Shaving and facial-hair items test safety, skin tension, blade angle, hair direction, and when to refuse service. Expect straight-razor shaving, beard and mustache outlining, clipper trimming, hot-towel preparation, lather, and aftercare.
Core rules
- Prepare with a warm towel and lubricating lather; never shave dry skin.
- Hold a straight razor at about 30° to the skin. A steeper angle scrapes; a flatter angle tugs.
- Stretch skin taut with the free hand and use short, controlled strokes. Shave with the grain first; against-the-grain passes give a closer shave but increase irritation and ingrown hairs.
- Outline beards and mustaches with a firm line, working from the center outward; keep symmetry by checking both sides at eye level.
- Do not shave over active acne, cold sores, open lesions, inflamed skin, or a recent chemical peel. Refer persistent bumps or rashes.
Worked example
A client with curly hair has razor bumps on the neck and asks for a close shave. Reasoning: pseudofolliculitis barbae is worsened by close, against-the-grain shaving. Offer a clipper trim, shave only with the grain, use warm water and lubricant, avoid excessive stretching, and recommend medical follow-up if bumps persist. Do not shave over pustules.
Traps
Using a dull blade; skipping lather; shaving against the grain first; failing to stretch skin; using alcohol-heavy aftershave on irritated skin; treating razor bumps as a styling problem rather than a contraindication.