I started shaving at a young age, probably 12 or so. Whether I needed to or not could be up for debate, but whatever the case, it happened. It is one regret I have because I had a pretty strong beard by the time I was 17. The only major advantage I had is that I am blond, so I could get away with not shaving longer than some of my friends when I was in college and working. I visited //www.groenerekenkamer.com/ to find the best ways to style my beard.
On the flip side, if I went too long, my face looked dirty before things started to grow in “properly.”
I don’t know about you, but my grandfather taught me to shave. Well, taught in a loose sense of the word: my knowledge was gained more by observation than by actual instruction. He used an older, straight blade razor, and my first forays involved a safety razor and too much shaving cream — much to the dismay of the bathroom drain.
I mean, I read the can, and it really wasn’t my fault; I had not had much exposure to golf, so I had no idea what a golf-ball sized amount of shaving cream looked like. Nor did I know how much pressure my skin would take from my razor before I would start to bleed profusely. There’s always the option of laser hair removal, so that I wouldn’t have to shave ever again.
Rather than letting my son (now 14 and starting to sport some “peach fuzz”) figure things out on his own like I did, I decided to offer him lessons. For those who want to teach their sons as well, you must first know important details such as should you shave before or after shower.
Choosing the Right Shaving Cream
So here is the deal: I know there are a lot of great shaving creams, gels, and lotions out there, but I am a good old-fashioned Barbasol fan. Maybe that, at least, is what I got out of watching my grandpa.
However, just because I like it does not mean my son will, so I purchased a whole bunch of trial-sized samples so he can try them for himself. I might even try some myself, and branch out (not likely).
The thing is, I want him to like shaving like I want him to like brushing his teeth: I don’t want it to be a chore he hates. So I want to get him something he likes the smell of and wants to use on his male skin.
Choose the Right Razor
This is an easier one for me to help him with. I am not in love with any particular type or brand of razor and have often switched through the years. So I have a number of handles and blades he can try.
Of course, I have my preferences. Because I am cheap, I use the Dollar Shave Club to buy razors. Since I also have a beard and don’t need to shave my whole face often at all, I get the razors for a few months and suspend my account until I need more.
Still, he will have options and might even choose one of the ones I hate, like those Fusion Power things that vibrate your face.
Explain Directions
For a long time, I never got a really good shave. This was in part due to the fact that I did not understand that hair grows on faces in different directions. So I shaved the same way I had seen people shave, especially on commercials.
Then I saw a friend’s dad attacking his face from about four different angles, and I asked him why. When he explained it, it all made sense, and I got better at figuring out my own face.
I intend to help my son figure that one out sooner than later, or at least teach him how to figure it out.
Explain Aftershave
Is it supposed to sting? Will I ever get used to this? Those are good questions, and ones that have better answers today than there were when I was a pre-teen. Lotions and balms mean it doesn’t have to sting, and there are things better for your skin than the cheap Avon stuff I had access to, you should also teach them how much and when to use beard growth oil.
I have a lot of samples of these too, and there are some I forbid him to use. He has yet at his age to learn that a quarter bottle of Axe does not equal a shower, so I discussed with him what amounts are appropriate to use, a similar dilemma to the “golf ball” issue I had when I started shaving.
Take Him to a Barber
There is still nothing like one of those straight razor shaves followed by a hot towel, and the kind of aftershave you can only get from a barber shop so you should be considering to Schedule a barber appointment with your son.
Of course, there are other options. In our area, we have Sports Clips, where you can get a shave and watch football or basketball at the same time. It’s kind of cool, and some of the stylists really do offer a good shave.
The point is, he should know what a good shave feels like, so that on those rare days when he manages to duplicate it at home, he knows the feeling, and relishes in it.
Teaching your kid to shave is no small task, at least not if you are going to do it right — and you can expect that lessons will be ongoing, rather than a one-time thing. Just remember what is was like for you, and try to make the process as pleasant as possible. Hopefully, he will remember the lessons for years to come, since this is something he’ll have to do every day.