Shaving is a hassle. Most men have to shave everyday or every other day if they want to keep a neat, clean appearance. There are numerous men’s shaving kits and shave clubs always advertising their high end razors and shaving products, but most men are left wondering if they really need all that. Shaving doesn’t have to be a pain, though. These tips will help make the process as painless as possible:

1. Shave in the shower
Shaving in the shower will minimize razor burn because your skin is pliable and hydrated. You will also feel less ashy and dry after your shave. Be careful of nicks when shaving in the shower, though, as your skin is much softer than normal.

2. Keep a sharp blade
One of the leading causes of cutting yourself while shaving is using a dull razor. Not only is a dull razor potentially dangerous, it will also leave your skin irritated and dry after a shave. A sharp razor blade will offer the closest shave without damaging your skin. The top shaving razors for men will keep an edge longer than the cheap drugstore disposable brands and ultimately save you money.

3. Moisturize after a shave
Even the sharpest razor cannot stop all of the damage that shaving causes to your skin. Moisturizing after you shave will keep redness, skin irritation, and dryness to a minimum. Choose a moisturizer with aloe vera; aloe vera has soothing properties.

4. Use shave gel or cream
Choose a shaving gel or shaving cream. These products help to make shaving easier on the skin by helping the hairs to stand up for more easy removal, minimizing the amount of time and effort that shaving will take. Most gels or creams will also have aloe vera and a moisturizer in them to help keep your skin healthy and avoid razor burn. Dry shaving puts you at risk for razor burn. You will also never get the same level of clean shave when dry shaving as you will when you use a gel or cream.

5. Try hair removal creams
In some cases, using a hair removal cream might be more convenient. The creams work by removing the hair beneath the skin which will make the time between shaves longer. They are less messy than traditional shaving, but the process will take longer. Some hair removal creams can irritate the skin or cause mild chemical burns so be cautious and test the cream somewhere else on your body before applying it to your face.

6. Be careful with wax
Waxing is another shaving option. Be careful with wax, however, as it is potentially dangerous especially when used on the face. Hot wax can cause burns and ripping the strips off will cause your skin to become inflamed and irritated. Some people respond well to a soothing lotion afterwards and have no further problems, but others might experience irritation and swelling for several hours afterwards. In most cases, other options are preferable.