Shaving Against the Grain: Risks and Alternatives

One of the most hotly contested shaving debates is whether it’s good or bad to shave against the grain. Some say it gives a cleaner shave and others warn that it can cause razor burn, skin irritation, or even ingrown hairs. We tapped Farzad Salehi, a barber and the face behind the popular Instagram account Farzad the Happy Barber, to get his take on this age-old debate.

He says that, while shaving against the grain can result in a closer shave, it also increases the risk of problems like razor bumps and skin irritation, especially with more aggressive tools like an electric razor or a disposable razor. These issues can be avoided by using less aggressive tools and following a proper shaving technique. More info beardedcolonel.co.uk

When shaving against the grain, the first blade grabs the hair slightly above the skin, and then the subsequent blades cut it a little shorter. However, this can cause the hair to grow back into the top layer of skin instead of out of it. This can lead to ingrown hairs, which are painful and unsightly.

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To avoid this, Salehi recommends that you shave with the grain for the first pass, then lather up and go against the grain for the second pass. This will help to reduce the risk of irritation while still giving you a close shave. Then finish by rinsing off with cold water to close your pores and avoid the risk of infections or ingrown hairs.