Editing Shaving (section)

=== Wet shaving ===
There are two types of manual razors: straight razor and safety razors. Safety razors are further subdivided into double-edged razors, single edge, injector razors, cartridge razors and disposable razors.
Double-edge razors are named so because the blade that they use has two sharp edges on opposite sides of the blade. Current multi-bladed cartridge manufacturers attempt to differentiate themselves by having more or fewer blades than their competitors, each arguing that their product gives a greater shave quality at a more affordable price.
[[File:Vintage Gillette Safety Razor, Old Type Set, Made In USA, Circa 1920s (19844414006).jpg|250px|thumb|A Gillette 'Old Type' safety razor, the first razor to use double-edge blades]]

Before wet shaving, the area to be shaved is usually doused in warm to hot water by showering or bathing<ref name=aad_shaving/> or covered for several minutes with a hot wet towel to soften the skin and hair. Dry hair is difficult to cut, and the required cutting force is reduced significantly once the hair is hydrated.<ref name="zoe-2012"/><ref name="observations-beard"/> Fully hydrated hair requires about 65% less force to cut, and hair is almost fully hydrated after two minutes of contact with room temperature water. The time required for hydration is reduced when using higher temperature water.<ref name="observations-beard"/>

A lathering or lubricating agent such as [[shaving cream|cream]], [[shaving soap]], gel, foam or oil is normally applied after this. Lubricating and moisturizing the skin to be shaved helps prevent irritation and damage known as razor burn. Many razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, made of [[polyethylene glycol]], to function instead of or in supplement to extrinsic agents.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Braun|first1=David|title=Razor component and lubricating strip|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0276094A2/en|access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> It also lifts and softens the hairs, causing them to swell. This enhances the cutting action and sometimes permits cutting the hairs slightly below the surface of the skin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wet Shaving or Dry Shaving? Blade vs. Electric Shaving {{!}} Gillette |url=https://gillette.com/en-us/shaving-tips/how-to-shave/wet-dry-shaving-comparison-razor-vs-electric |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322090845/https://gillette.com/en-us/shaving-tips/how-to-shave/wet-dry-shaving-comparison-razor-vs-electric |archive-date=2022-03-22 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=gillette.com |quote=[T]he lifted hair is cut and then pulls back below the skin’s surface...}}</ref> Additionally, during shaving, the lather indicates areas that have not been addressed. When soap is used, it is generally applied with a [[shaving brush]], which has long, soft bristles. It is worked up into a usable lather by the brush, either against the face, in a [[shaving mug]], bowl, scuttle, or palm of the hand.
[[Image:Shaving2.jpg|thumb|left|Closeup of a disposable razor shaving stubble off the underside of a chin. The direction of razor travel is the same as the direction of the stubble hairs or 'grain'.]]

Since cuts are more likely when using safety razors and straight razors, wet shaving is generally done in more than one pass with the blade.  The goal is to reduce the amount of hair with each pass, instead of trying to eliminate all of it in a single pass.  This also reduces the risks of cuts, soreness, and [[ingrown hair]]s.  [[Alum]] blocks and [[styptic pencil]]s are used to close cuts resulting from the shave.

==== Aftershave ====<!-- This section is linked from [[The Lone Ranger]] -->
{{Main|Aftershave}}

An aftershave lotion or balm is sometimes used after finishing shaving. It may contain an [[antiseptic]] agent such as [[isopropyl alcohol]], both to prevent [[infection]] from cuts and to act as an astringent to reduce skin irritation, a [[perfume]], and a [[moisturizer]] to soften the facial skin.