First shave - how?

[1stime]

Sorry if this seems lame but my ds needs to start (school rules must be clean shaven). Have managed to leave it until now in the hope we can sort out a shaver over the holidays, but how does he shave? What does he need - apart from a shaver? Which type of shaver? It's all alien to me and I haven't got money to throw away.

[mumblechum1]

Is his dad around? If not, buy him a safety razor such as Gillette contour & some foam.. Tell him to put foam everywhere he has fuzz, wet the razor and gently but firmly stroke the razor upwards.

They usually cost about £8 to £10, inc. spare blades. Foam about £2.

[eatyourveg]

In the same boat here with ds2 who has autism and LD. Having read various things on various sites, its seems an electric is the easiest way to go. Not sure yet if he'll be able to manage it or if I'll be the one doing it. We've put it off thinking we'll wait until Christmas, now its Christmas we'll hit Boots next week and ask someone there for the simplest model they have

ds1 has nivea after shave balm that he puts on afterwards. Its easy to get hold of from Sainsburys, available in a sensitive skin version and is less than a fiver. I think the general method is to move the shaver in the same direction as the hair

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

I got DS a very cheap rechargeable shaver to begin with. It was more than enough to deal with a bit of fluff.
Not keen on letting a clumsy teenager boy loose with a razor.

[granarybeck]

What age are your dss? Mine is 14, nearly 15 and ive been wondering about this.

[Mabelface]

I taught my DS how to shave and actually did the first one for him. Teach him to put a hot flannel on the bristles to soften them, put foam on then shave down only to avoid shaving rash.

[eatyourveg]

15.5 its the moustache which is darkest area and most noticeably in need of eradicating

[trulyscrumptious43]

Thanks for this post - not lame at all. My DS will be in this position soon, I only realised when I read this that I will have to show him how!

[granarybeck]

Thanks, yes is ds' moustache area that is suddenly darker, quite baby faced everywhere else.

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

My DS2 is 14 and has autism and LDs. We use a basic electric shaver (a £10 job) to de-whisker him once a week.. mainly tash and a few weird random dark hairs round his chin. Haven't felt the need to do anything more drastic and I wouldn't be going near him with a razor! We do it for him now, but hoping eventually he will be able to do it himself:)

His brother is 18 and has proper bristles and uses the same shaver (when he can be bothered!)

[WingDad]

Hi 1stime, I hope I can help you out here :)

Basically, buy him a good razor with good blades. That means one with 3 blades and, if you're feeling generous, a moisturing strip also; it helps a lot. Don't bother with electric shavers, they're expensive, volatile and no where near as close a shave as manual shavers.

What he needs to do is lather up with a reasonable shaving foam, or just get the face really wet with warm water; the former is better by far but if you're pushed for time water will do. First shave WITH the grain of the hairs, so shave downwards: from the side-burns down to the jawline and follow the jawline round to the chin. Small brushes, not long sweeps as then you'll probably cut yourself. Have the sink full of warm water ready and dip the blade in every now and then to get rid of any hairs sticking. For the chin just shave downwards from the mouth towards the neck. Underneath the chin is a bit trickier as there's no prevalent grain of the hair, so I just shave downwards towards the neck. With your free hand, pull the skin tight on the area you're shaving, you'll get a closer shave.

That'll do then, but if you really a want a super-duper close shave, lather up again then shave AGAINST the grain. Take great care and do it slowly as the chances of getting ingrown hairs are heightened. The same rules apply as stated above.

Once down, apply a good post-shave balm to all the areas you've shaved, as this will help prevent razor burn (painful) and in-grown hairs as it opens your pores up.

I really hope this helps....I imagine it's the same for shaving your legs really....not that I'd know. I hope I haven't been too patronising in this, but I do remember when I was a teenager wondering how the hell I should shave!

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

WingDad really useful thanks for that. My DH has never used a wet razor so couldn't show DS how to use one.

He is fair and though he started shaving at 13 he still doesn't need to do it every day and is 16 next month. I think he would now like to try a wet shave but even with an electric shaver it's a bit tricky because of spots. Do you remember shaving when you were a spotty teen? Is there a knack?

[WingDad]

Erm, I don't actually :/

I never actually got bad acne as a lad and the spots I did get were confined to my forehead....For shaving over spots though, I'd just say take it slowly and gently so you dont cut yourself or aggravate the spot.

[Wants3]

We just bought a rechargeable shaver for DS when he was 15. He uses it about once a week. Shaver is easier and safer than razor and he didnt need to be shown so just got on with it!

[1stime]

H U G E thank you to all. Soooo helpful. He is almost 15.

[mathanxiety]

My DDs all managed to shave their legs and pits by about age 12 without severing an artery -- I think a 15 yo boy would manage fine with a razor. DS figured it out by himself. His main problem is theft of his razors by his sisters.

[1stime]

[SecretSquirrels]

I have bought DS a wet razor for his 16th birthday next week. .

[sprinkles77]

If he has no grown up men to watch, I suggest you look at youtube for an instructional video.