It’s one of the most visible parts of the body, and most men want to keep this area looking clean and smooth.
But your neck is a very tricky area to shave smoothly!
The razor can leave it looking red and irritated - even if you don’t normally have sensitive skin.
But it doesn’t have to be like that.
Read on for how to shave with a little extra care to leave your neck feeling calm and looking smooth and healthy - with no redness.
Your neck is one of the most difficult, and sensitive, areas to shave
Why is it so difficult to shave your neck?
Shaving can cause irritation to all parts of your face, but your neck is a particularly delicate area - and the most likely to show signs of redness and irritation.
- Your neck is a surface of curves and angles making it hard to shave smoothly.
- Neck hair tends to grow in a lot of different directions, so it’s tricky to catch all the hairs in a single stroke of the razor. You have to make several passes – with more chance of irritation at each additional stroke.
Couple that with the fact that the skin on your neck is very sensitive, and you can see why this area can be a problem to shave.
But help is at hand…
Equipped with the following tips (and a little bit of practice) you’ll soon be able to shave your neck smoothly and avoid all the redness, razor burn and painful red bumps.
ACTION PLAN: How to smoothly shave your sensitive neck area
Follow these smart shaving tips to leave your neck looking smooth and feeling calm.
#1 - Prep your skin
A smooth, comfortable shave starts with good preparation.
The first thing to do is splash your face and neck gently with warm (not hot!) water. This will open up your pores and soften your facial hair, so that you can shave with less irritation.
A great time to shave is when you’re taking a shower – or just afterwards. Your skin will be warm and moist and your hair will be easier to cut.
It’s the reason that a barber will apply a hot towel when you have a professional shave. You can use the same principal yourself at home. Just hold a warm wrung out washcloth onto your face and neck to gently heat your skin.
We want your skin to be warm, moist and relaxed.
#2 – Apply a rich shaving cream
A rich, nourishing shave cream is essential.
It creates a protective barrier between your skin and the blade.
This protects your neck and prevents any razor burn. Our Protective Shave Cream also provides lubrication for the shaving process itself, softening your beard and helping to maintain your skin's hydration level.
Apply the cream to your neck area first. This allows it to hydrate and soften the hair for longer, which will deliver a smoother shave.
Best Shaving Cream for the Smoothest Shave
Our Protective Shave Cream is enriched with moisturizing Shea Butter to nourish and protect your skin throughout your shave.
And includes Apricot Stone Oil to soften your beard for easier shaving too. So you can shave with less pressure – and therefore, less irritation and redness.
We've also added Aloe Vera and Allantoin to soothe your skin and purifying Tea Tree Oil to help reduce any redness and irritation.
And like all of our products, our Protective Shave Cream is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic and non-irritating.
It has also undergone and passed the rigorous European Cosmetic Regulations.
Plus it’s cruelty free.
So now with your neck nice and relaxed, and your skin protected, you can begin to shave.
#3 – Flatten the skin’s surface as much as you can
Your neck is a surface full of curves and angles, so be sure to flatten that surface as much as you can – without overstretching.
Start by leaning forward and tilting your head back slightly. You can also tilt your head down for those hard to reach areas.
And for your Adam’s apple – swallow and try to hold the swallow, to flatten this area as much as possible.
You won’t be able to hold it for very long – but enough time to shave one pass.
This will feel strange to start with but as you become familiar with the curves and contours of your neck you’ll find that it becomes easier.
Shaving your neck is a skill, and it’s one that's worth perfecting.
#4 - Shave WITH or ACROSS the grain
The most important thing to remember is to start by shaving carefully WITH the grain.
You can follow this with some strokes ACROSS the grain depending on the growing pattern of your hair, to achieve a closer shave.
It’s tempting, we know, to shave against the direction of hair growth but really it’s not worth it!
Shaving against the grain will aggravate the skin on your neck even more and it can distort the hair follicles causing ingrown hairs to form.
Instead use our Protective Shave Cream, and shave WITH then ACROSS the grain.
The cream will help lift the hairs up and away from your skin. Allowing you to shave safely – and still get a super, close shave.
#5 - Use light, easy strokes
Try to apply minimal pressure. Hold your razor at the very end of the handle, gripping it lightly. Then let the razor do the work. The only pressure applied should come from the weight of the razor.
Use short, confident shaving strokes on your neck. And try to avoid going over the same spot several times as this will result in irritation.
It’s the hardest shaving skill to master but cutting every hair without having to repeat a spot is how you avoid cuts, scrapes, and razor rash.
Whatever type of razor you prefer, remember to change the blades often. The dull, damaged edge of an over-used razor blade will pull against your neck, causing painful redness and razor burn.
Swapping out your blades every 3-4 shaves will ensure an effortless, pain-free cut.
Where to shave your neck line when you have a beard
Whatever your beard style, there’s only ONE rule about where to trim along your neck line.
- Imagine a point that is just above your Adam’s apple.
- If you think of placing two fingers just above the knob, then this is the base of your beard line.
- Now imagine a curved line from this point which goes behind your jawbone to a point just behind each ear.
This is your beard line… and everything below this line needs to be shaved.
BUT…
Don’t shave above this point! As this could make your face look too round.
#6 – Gently pat dry
Always pat your neck very gently after shaving. Your skin is still traumatized, so no rubbing or pulling.
Try to use a soft, clean towel that you keep only for you to use (and only on your face!)
#7 – Moisturize post-shave
It can take up to 48 hours for your freshly-shaved neck to fully heal, and keeping your skin well hydrated during that time is the best defence against irritation and dryness.
While most creams will immediately hydrate your skin, you can up the ante by using a moisturizer that will soothe, relieve and repair your post-shave skin at the same time.
There are many healing ingredients to look for in a moisturizer, and we chose Aloe Vera, Allantoin and D-Panthenol for our Hydrating Daily Moisturizer.
They’re all excellent natural ingredients that will soothe your neck and restore the hydrolipidic protective barrier.
In fact, to nourish and repair your skin after shaving, our Hydrating Daily Moisturizer is one of the best out there!
It’s been developed to lock in moisture and is clinically proven to dramatically increase skin hydration levels for over 8 hours after application.
Best Post-Shave Moisturizer
One of the keys to reducing sensitivity when you shave is to keep your skin well-hydrated. So try to moisturize your face every morning and night. As well as after you shave.
Our Hydrating Daily Moisturizer contains Hyaluronic Acid (the gold standard of moisturizing agents) to provide long-term hydration and keep your freshly-shaved skin smooth and supple.
At the same time it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, restores elasticity and improves skin texture.
Leaving you with a smooth, even-toned complexion.
Plus it’s super-light, absorbs instantly and won’t leave a greasy film on your face.
For more on preparing your skin well and correct shaving technique check out:
And for info on how and where to shave your beard neck line see ” How to Shape Your Beard for a Slimmer Face and a Stronger Jawline”.
With practice you can shave your neck and leave it feeling super smooth and looking calm and healthy
FAQ's
What is razor burn?
Razor burn is an irritated redness, accompanied by a stinging sensation, that you can get after shaving. The sensitive neck area is the most susceptible.
The irritation is caused by skin being pulled during shaving, and the hair follicles being tugged by the scraping action of the razor blade.
Using a good Protective Shave Cream will lubricate your skin and protect from the irritation caused by the blade – ensuring you have a friction-free shave.
What helps with razor burn after shaving?
Moisturizer.
Keep your skin well hydrated by applying a good quality moisturizer after your shave. This will help your skin to heal from any razor burn and irritation, and to avoid any dryness.
Keeping your skin moisturized will also help to reduce sensitivity before your next shave.
The Takeaway
Your neck is a tricky area to shave smoothly.
But equipped with the following tips (and a little bit of practice) you’ll have a smooth, sensual shave - free from redness and irritation.
- Prep your skin well
- Apply a rich shaving cream
- Flatten the skin’s surface as much as you can
- Shave WITH then ACROSS the grain
- Use light, easy strokes
- Pat dry gently
- Always moisturize post-shave with a soothing, hydrating moisturizer that will restore the protective hydrolipidic barrier
This will leave your neck feeling super smooth and looking calm and healthy.
SHOP THE ROUTINE.
All you need to stay looking handsome.
PRESTIGE SKINCARE FOR MEN. MADE IN FRANCE.
