Acne is a skin condition where the affected individuals develop red, tender, or puss-filled pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads on the face, chest, and shoulder areas. Acne arises when oils and dead skin cells clog the hair follicles. Blockage of the hair follicle openings often leads to severe irritation when the new hair growth struggles to break out of the skin.
While diet choices and hormonal changes are the main reasons for acne in teens and adults, poor shaving techniques can also bring about acne, inappropriate shaving techniques can be disastrous to both men and women because they raise the risk of irritation and razor bumps which later develop into acne and break out. People with sensitive skin are more vulnerable to acne and should consider using sensitive razors when shaving facial hair.
Man or woman, pimples and acne are the last things you want after shaving. Beard grooming is essential in men; a good shave leaves you looking more attractive and masculine but without the risk of acne aftermath. With so many shavers on the market today, it helps to exercise care when purchasing shaving devices.
Today, electric razors feature alongside shaving creams, lubricants, and other products that claim to reduce breakout and acne. Is your electric shaver causing acne? Discover more about electric shavers, preventing breakouts, and top tips for preventing breaking out after shaving with an electric razor.
How Electric Shavers Cut Hair
An electric shaver, also known as a dry razor, is a modern shaving device that relies on electric energy to rotate sharp shaving blades. The main difference between electric and blade shavers lies in how they trim hair. Unlike electric razors, blade shavers cut hair using a single blade stroke, which relies on scissor-like blade rotations to cut hair.
Electric shavers typically have two shaving components; a thin outer porous metal foil and an undercutting blade. The metal foil has a smooth outer surface but a sharp inner surface. The undercutting blades vibrate vigorously as they move back and forth underneath the metal foil.
Electric razors can have a rotary or linear system. As its name suggests, the linear system moves the blade back and forth while the rotary alternative rotates the blade in circular motions to cut hair. These razors take advantage of your skin’s elasticity to deliver a clean, even, and comfortable shave.
The shaver’s vibrations cause the skin to move in wave-like motions, exposing the hair to the blades. After the trim, the remaining hair pulls back into the skin leading to a clean and injury-free shave. The electric shaver cuts hair faster than blade shavers while minimizing pain and bumping.
Is your electric shaver causing acne?
While electric shavers are excellent for preventing acne and breakouts, you still need to be cautious about your choice of an electric razor and how you use it. Multi-blade electric shavers can sometimes go too deep when cutting hair, raising the risk of bruised skin. This bruising can seal the hair follicle openings, causing hair trapping within its epidermis.
Electric razor causing acne could be due to triple or double-bladed shavers. Avoid multi-blade electric shavers if you have sensitive skin; opt for a single-blade razor instead. Single-blade shavers cut hair more smoothly without going as deep as double or triple-blade shavers. The minimal skin irritation from single-blade razors lowers the risk of acne.
Top shaving tips for Preventing breakouts and severe acne
Pre-shave routine
No matter what blade you use to cut your hair, having an excellent pre-shave routine can do wonders in minimizing acne development. Warm water treatment helps unclog your skin pores and hair follicles from oils and dead cells. Prepare your shin for the shave by taking a warm shower followed by steaming or hot water and towel treatment.
The steaming and warm water treatment combination help soften your hair and remove residues that promote skin breakouts. Alternatively, you can use a towel dipped in warm water to prep your face and aerate the skin pores.
If you have dense facial hair, consider applying light massage on the targeted shave area using a damp towel. A quick warm wipe using a towel will put you a few steps ahead in preventing electric shaver causing acne.
Sanitize your shaving tools before and after use
It’s essential to wash your hands and the shavers you use before trimming your hair. Bacteria and infection-causing germs can build up on your electric shaver’s blades and transfer them to your face during a shave. Prevent acne and other skin infections by sanitizing your electric shavers using a combination of warm water and alcohol or antiseptic. You could also opt to use a sanitizing and lubricating spray for your shaver. Your hands, too, can carry pollen and disease-causing bacteria. Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them before handling the shaving equipment.
Avoid shaving over pimples
Pimples can develop due to hormonal changes or a combination of many other factors. Avoid shaving over the affected area if you already have pimples on your face and chin. Electric razor cutting skin can happen when you shave the affected skin region. Furthermore, leveling the pimples will not make them go away. Instead, chipping off the tops turns the pimples into open sores, an entry point for disease-causing pathogens.
Shaving over pimples will prolong the healing process and lead to facial scarring. The open sores eventually become tough scabs that stick around longer. The scarring from shaving over pimples can make administering facial treatment more uncomfortable for individuals.
Switch your shaving technique if you have an acne problem
Men with sensitive skin can develop breakouts even after a light shave. If you develop irritation and skin redness each time you shave, it may be time to alter your shaving routine. Is your electric razor cutting skin due to acne? If yes, consider using the conventional trimmer whenever you suspect your electric razor causing acne.
Unlike an electric razor, trimmers don’t drag across your skin to create friction burns common in shavers. Trimmers are gentle on the skin and may be the best option for men with a widespread breakout. Sometimes, shaving around pimples may not be ideal for people with severe acne. All in all, avoid close shaves if you have sensitive skin, and consider applying aftershave to suppress inflammation after every trim.
Best electric shavers for acne-prone skin
Many electric shaver manufacturers market their products as suitable for sensitive skin. However, not all of these options are ideal for acne-prone skin. Below is a list of tried and tested products if you are looking for the best electric shaver for acne-prone skin.
Phillips Norelco Electric Shaver
Phillips is a well-known brand that manufactures a broad range of handheld devices. The Norelco 8900 series from Phillips is one of the best electric shavers available on the market today. This shaver relies on industry-leading contour detect technology which ensures seamless blade movement over the skin when trimming facial hair. This technology allows the Norelco series shavers to cut hair up to 30 % closer to the skin surface, which comes in handy when shaving awkward spots.
This versatile shaver is ideal for both dry and wet shaving. However, lubricating the shaving blades helps to minimize friction and face bumps. The Norelco comes with fortified blades that allow precision cuts using fewer strokes.
Other notable features include:
• This shaver comes with a click-on beard styler, which gives you five customizable trimming lengths. Its well-rounded shaving tips keep your facial skin safe from irritation. The Norelco 8900 shaver is a great shaving tool.
• It has an LED display to help you keep track of battery charge. It also features a travel lock which prevents the device from accidentally turning on when in your traveling bag.
• A SmartClean feature that cleans the shaver with the press of a button. SmartClean works in combination with a dual filtration mechanism to remove hair residues from the shaving head.
• V-track precision shaving blades allow the shaver to cut more hair than traditional shavers.
Pros
• Its high precision contour technology delivers a superior cut without damaging the skin
• The shaver offers five trimming options
• It has a quick charging mechanism and is quieter than other electric shavers.
Cons
• This shaver is expensive to repair because replacement parts are costly and hard to find.
Panasonic Arc4 Men’s Electric Razor
The Arc4 electric razor from Panasonic is one of the best electric shavers for acne-prone skin. Thanks to its powerful motor and versatile shaving head, this razor has received great reviews. Its premium multi-fit ARC foils accurately trace your facial, jaw, and neck contours allowing the shaver to deliver a close shave. An electric razor cutting your skin will be a thing of the past with the Arc 4.
More Arc 4 features
• The shaver has a set of four nanotech blades placed at 30-degree angles. The stainless steel blades trim hair at its root for the best results. The 30-degree angling allows the shaver to deliver smooth and close shaves. The micro-fit blades are designed for cutting hair using the fewest possible strokes.
• A dual-motor shaving system capable of over 230 cuts per second. The linear motor system is robust and has good battery life.
• The shaver has a multi-flex versatile shaving head designed to move seamlessly along the facial contours. It has a cordless shaving head and comes with a pop-up trimmer for professional hair touch-ups.
• The arc four shaver comes with unique foils that collect whiskers.
Pros
• This versatile shaver allows both dry and wet shaving.
• The pop-up trimmer is worthwhile inclusion and comes in handy when detailing mustaches and sideburns
• Excellent battery life lasting up to 14 shaves on a full charge.
Cons
• Its relatively large shaving head makes it unsuitable for small-faced people.
Braun Series 7 790cc Electric Foil Shaver
Braun’s top-of-the-range series 7 790 cc electric shaver comes fully equipped with a dedicated charging station. This heavy-duty electric razor has an automatic clean feature. This shaver offers up to five customizable trimming modes giving the user more freedom in hair trimming. It is an excellent option for men with sensitive skin, thanks to an intelligent technology feature that aligns the shaving blades with facial contours.
Braun Series 7 790 cc specifications
• An active lift trimmer that boosts precision when cutting in hard-to-reach areas.
• The shaver comes with a sonic and auto-sense feature that gives off thousands of micro-vibrations to cut through even the densest hair.
• A four-action cleaning station that cleans the shaver automatically.
• A set of four synchronized trimming elements that com
Pros
• The automatic cleaning feature saves you time and helps extend the shaver’s useful life.
• It includes a dedicated charger that’s costly if bought separately.
• The active lift trimmer makes it easy to shave awkward spots and reduces breaking out after shaving with an electric razor.
Cons
• It is costly compared to other alternatives
• It’s not ideal for wet shaving because its blades are not waterproof.
Conclusion
People with acne often adhere to a skincare routine to promote healing. Unlike manual razors, electric shavers are designed to cause the least discomfort to the skin when shaving. An electric shaver causing acne is also avoidable by using shaving creams to lubricate skin surface for a smooth shave. Using antibacterial gel after a trim can prevent your electric razor causing acne and ruining your masculine look.
