The SILKA shaving guide

Your free e-guide: skin care before and after shaving, and how to get the smoothest shave from your SILKA razor. Bookmark this page.

The one rule: don't press. A fresh, sharp blade does the work, not pressure.

1. Prepare your skin

Shave after a warm shower or bath. Warm water softens hair and relaxes the skin so the razor glides. Wash off body lotion, sweat or other products first. Prone to ingrown-looking bumps? Exfoliate gently with the SILKA mitt the day before you shave, not right before, especially if your skin is sensitive.

2. Add glide

Never shave dry skin. Use something that gives a slippery layer: shaving gel, foam, cream, a gentle shaving soap, or hair conditioner in a pinch. It helps the blade move smoothly and reduces friction.

3. Put in a fresh blade

Twist the handle to open the head, place one double-edge blade on the pins, close the head and twist until firm. Check the blade sits straight. One blade usually lasts around 10 shaves; swap it as soon as it starts to tug.

4. Light hand, about 30°

Hold the razor at roughly 30 degrees to your skin and let its own weight do the work. Short, calm strokes. Start with the direction of hair growth: it's the gentlest technique for sensitive skin. Once you're used to it, you can go across or against the grain where your skin tolerates it.

5. Short strokes, rinse often

Don't run one long fast stroke down the whole leg. Rinse the head under running water every few strokes: the open head rinses clean in a second, so hair and foam never clog it.

6. Area by area

  • Legs: gel or foam on damp skin, short strokes, no pressure, start with the grain.
  • Underarms: delicate skin and hair growing in several directions. Use a fresh blade, very light pressure, go slowly and only change direction when the razor glides easily.
  • Bikini line: trim longer hair first with scissors or a trimmer, then shave with short strokes with the grain. Don't press and don't go over the same spot again and again.
  • Arms and body: plenty of glide, light hand, control the angle.

Don't shave over irritated skin, small cuts or fresh spots.

7. Aftercare

Rinse with cool or lukewarm water, pat dry (don't rub) and apply an alcohol-free balm, a light moisturiser, aloe gel or a panthenol lotion. Skip heavily perfumed lotions straight after shaving, especially on underarms and bikini line.

8. Caring for your razor

Rinse it well after every shave, shake off the water and let it dry somewhere dry, not in the shower. Change blades regularly: a dull blade tugs and makes you press harder. Used blades go in a blade bank or wrapped in their paper before the bin.

In short

  • Always shave damp, warm skin with gel or foam
  • Never press
  • About 30 degrees, short calm strokes
  • Start with the grain
  • Rinse the head often
  • Swap the blade as soon as it tugs
  • Moisturise afterwards

Questions? Write to us.

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