I recently brought some pre shave off Amazon and am just wondering a few things.
Firstly, being oil based will it clog up my shaver? I’ve read somewhere that some pre shaves evaporate after a few minutes and only serve to stand the hairs up, Is this true? Also will I have to clean my shaver more often if using pre shave regularly? Should I only use it with my washable shavers?
Lastly, is it necessary to wash my face after shaving with pre shave? I usually shave after a shower and only when my face has had enough time to dry so am thinking I should shower after shaving if using pre shave, or what do you guys do?
For reference I have the blue stratos and Spieck pre shaves, and am primarily using rotary shavers -Philips 2000 (washable) and HQ6990 (dry only razor).
Thanks for any input,
R.
Hello Rmac: I would think a lot depends on the kind of brand of pre-shave you get. I don't use pre-shave except a powder stick to dry off my face, but many people do use liquid pre-shaves. On Amazon, Williams sells over 10K bottles a month! Though the main ingredient is alcohol, these pre-shaves have enough other ingredients that, to answer your first question, it could clog your shaver, or at least put a drag on the power. I know my daily lubrication of Wahl's clipper oil certainly stays on the cutters (rotary) and foil (foil shaver) of mine, so it needs to be cleaned to optimize the shaver's performance. So yes, I would certainly recommend you clean your shaver. You mentioned "more often". I would recommend you clean the shaver after
each use, with or without pre-shave.
I wouldn't restrict it to just washable shavers. Decades ago and to this day, those who use pure electric (plug-ins) used, and still use, pre-shave and we couldn't wash our shavers then or get them wet. If you clean the cutters/combs/foils with alcohol, or dishwashing liquid, that should work. Of course, for your safety, you should remove the cutting parts from the shaver if the shaver is not washable to keep it dry.
Regarding whether you need to wash your face after using pre-shave, I would think it would depend on 1) the type of pre-shave, and 2) whether it bothers you to leave it on. I would also check to see what the pre-shave instructions are to see if the manufacturer recommends that.
The few times I used pre-shave (Williams), I noticed it helped stand the hairs up, but it also provided a smooth, gliding path. I guess I also find the same thing from a powder stick. I've seen some people use just baby powder as a pre-shave at my gym too.
In summary, Rmac, I would just say whether you use a liquid or powder pre-shave, you should
definitely clean your shaver afterwards, thoroughly. I heard one person say with pre-shave, he didn't have to lubricate his shaver because the oil from the preshave provided sufficient lubrication; however, I would personally recommend cleaning and lubricating your shaver after
each use. Bottom line: I don't think the pre-shave will clog or hurt your shaver...providing you clean/lubricate the shaver after each use...with or without pre-shave. Good luck!
