Recently, safety razors have been in great demand, which is an ideal replacement for disposable razors. They help to quickly and efficiently deal with bristles, as well as to save money and care for the environment. Many people are interested in how long safety razor blades last.
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Reasons to replace safety razor blades
Before proceeding with the question of how long do safety razor blade last, it is necessary to determine the reasons for replacing the blades. Safety razors are durable and safety razor blades last for decades, unlike cartridge razors. However, you may notice the dull blade over time, so it needs to be replaced.
Otherwise, you cannot have a clean and smooth shave and can notice the razor bumps. Therefore, razors are durable, but the safety razor blades have their own service life. If the safety razor blade becomes blunt, you can cut or scratch yourself while shaving. In this case, the facial hair does not be shaved but torn out, which causes severe discomfort.
If you prefer to shave with long safety razor blades, you should avoid applying too much pressure, as with cartridge razors. Under its weight, the razor does its job. If you press hard on it, you can cut yourself. Often, due to a dull blade, irritations on the skin appear, which negatively affects comfort.
Cartridge razors also last a long time; however, they need to be cleaned and sharpened. Most safety razor blades can be easily changed. Therefore, you do not have to spend time sharpening. In doing so, you buy an eco-friendly razor that saves you money in the future.
Safety razor durability
The razor blade longevity depends on the frequency of use. If you prefer to shave every day, then the safety razor blade stays sharp for no more than a week. It is recommended to replace the razor after every sixth use. In particular, shaving is carried out in three approaches.
Some men prefer to change the safety razor blade after 3-6 uses.
However, these are only approximate time indicators. You have to focus on various factors.
Yes, you can change the safety razor blade every day. However, this hurts the budget. After all, you are throwing out an even sharper blade, which can serve well for a few more sessions.
Blade durability factors
To understand how often you should change safety razor blades, there are several important factors to consider.
Hair type
It is important to focus on the thickness and stiffness of the facial hair, as well as the rate of its growth. If the load on the razor is intense, the safety razor blade will dull faster. Therefore, if you own coarse and dense hair, you will have to change the blade much more frequently.
Owners of fine hair can make a replacement every 7-10 days. It doesn’t matter where exactly you clean your hair. If the owner of coarse facial hair shaves 3 or more times a week, then safety razor blade replacement will be required every 4 sessions.
If you shave less than three times a week, you will only need to change your safety razor blades once a week. If you have average thick facial hair and shave more than three times a week, then blade replacement will be required at the same interval as in the second case.
Those with medium facial hair who shave less than three times a week can change the blade once every 7 days. It is much easier for owners of thin hair. If you shave more than three times a week, blade replacement is required every 7 days. If you shave 3 times a week or less, then you need to replace it with an interval of 14 days.
Rates of growth
You should also pay attention to how fast your facial hair grows. If the growth rate is strong, then you will have to shave more often. If the hair grows slowly, then shaving can be done not every day, but at intervals of several days. Therefore, the safety razor blades last longer.
It is important to understand that how often you shave depends on your individual preferences. If you like light stubble and your work dress code allows it, you can shave at intervals of a few days. Therefore, blade changes only be required after the 6th session.
Work area
It is significant to consider the size of the area to be shaved. Some men suffer from the fact that the hair grows more abundantly and thicker in the cheek area. The rest of the face is smoother. Some men have thick hair growing from their cheeks to their chest, which increases the working area.
Safety razors can be used to shave your legs. In this case, you will have to replace the safety razor blades much more often. However, in addition, you need to take into account the thickness of the hair and the frequency of shaving.
Blade type
Give preference to safety razor blades that are made of stainless steel, or have an alloy of it in their composition. Today on the market you can find different options for blades like double-edge razor blades. It also depends on the manufacturer.
The durability of a double edge blade depends on numerous factors, including the material of the blade as well as its thickness.
It is important to pay attention to the quality of grinding and coating. Some safety razor blades may be sharp at first, and then you may notice the dull blade over time. However, you can find options that will stay sharp for much longer. You can experiment and buy several options from different manufacturers.
Try to test them all to determine the best option for yourself. After testing, it is easier for you to understand which product from which manufacturer is more durable, and it will for you to buy it in the future.
Shaving technique
It is essential to take into account what technique you shave. That is, you should determine in which direction your hair grows. It is often recommended to use the method of three approaches. That is, you should first shave in the direction of hair growth.
Then change the position of the razor, and move it in a horizontal direction. Finally, try shaving against the direction of your hair growth. This will achieve smoothness. However, this technique reduces the life of the safety razor blades. At the same time, it remains the most effective.
If you shave against the grain of your hair, the blade dulls much faster. Therefore, it is better to first try to work on hair growth and then move against it.
Blade storage
It is important to pay attention to the conditions under which the blades are stored. As already mentioned, most of them are made of stainless steel. However, due to constant exposure to moisture, signs of corrosion and oxidation can be seen. Because of this, the blades become dull faster.
It is recommended to store the safety razor blades in a dry place where moisture does not penetrate. Therefore, a shelf in the bathroom would not be the best option. It is better to store the razor away from the bathroom altogether.
Blade drying
To keep the safety razor blades sharp, they must be dried before being sent for storage. You can wipe them first, and then leave them to dry naturally.
Lubricant
Blades can be stored in oil. Baby oil is the best solution. It does not allow water to pass through, so you can prevent the blade from dulling.
Coating option
When buying a blade, you need to pay attention to what kind of coating is available. It can be platinum, ceramic, or tungsten. Often there are safety razors blades with a combination of these options. The better and more expensive the coating, the longer you have the sharp blade.
Manufacturer
It is recommended to give preference to razors and blades from well-known manufacturers, which are of excellent quality. Such options stay sharp longer and provide a close shave. If the blade is of poor quality, then it has to be changed more often.
Frequency of shave
- The frequency of shave largely depends on personal preferences and individual hair growth rates. Some individuals may prefer a daily shave for a smooth and clean appearance, while others with slower hair growth may opt for a less frequent routine, such as every two to three days.
- Factors like the desired beard length, workplace grooming standards, and the chosen beard style also play a role in determining how often one should shave. Those maintaining a specific beard style may need to trim or shave more frequently to maintain the desired look.
- Skin sensitivity is another crucial consideration in determining the frequency of shaving, as some individuals may experience irritation or discomfort with daily shaving, leading them to choose a less frequent schedule to allow the skin to recover between shaves.
How to dry your razor properly
As already mentioned, the razor must be stored dry. This allows the safety razor blade lasts longer. Several methods will help you dry your razor head quickly and effectively.
Easy drying method
This option involves the use of a towel or hair dryer. It is used much more frequently due to its simplicity and speed of operation.
The essence of the method is that you need to rinse the blade after shaving, and then carefully wipe it dry with a towel.
You can also turn on the warm air of the hair dryer and dry the product. This removes even small particles of water that can provoke oxidation and dull the metal blade.
Application of jeans
It’s not uncommon for people to dry their safety razor blades with jeans. They should have a blue tint. Additionally, this method will sharp blade a little, so they will last much longer.
Optimal storage space
You must decide on the right place where the razor is stored along with the blades. As you know, the bathroom is characterized by high levels of humidity. That is why leaving the device in the bathroom does not be the best idea.
It is recommended that you first place your safety razor in a resealable plastic bag. Then put it in a drawer or cabinet that closes. It can be in the living room, pantry, hallway, or bedroom. The main thing is to keep the humidity levels low.
If the bag is tight enough, you can leave the razor in the bathroom cabinet. An open razor, without a bag, can be left in the bedroom or the hallway.
Signs you need to replace a blade on a safety razor
Determining the fact that it’s time to replace the blade on your razor is quite simple. You will constantly experience discomfort while shaving. If you shave with safety razor blades that are already dull, hair will remain on your skin.
In this case, you notice scratches, cuts, and irritation of varying intensity. However, you need to understand that the wrong shaving principle can also be accompanied by the above consequences. Therefore, the reason for a poor shave is not always a poor-quality blade.
First, you have to make sure that you are using your razor correctly and that you are using the best shaving technique. Try to apply light pressure on the device. The blade is recommended to be tilted slightly away from the hair so that it cuts them at the very root.
Applying too much pressure to the device can cause the razor blade to dull quickly.
If you start to shave with the correct technique, however, if you experience a strong pull on the hair, you should stop working and replace the blade.
Unpleasant sensations are caused by the fact that the blades do not cut the hair, but begin to tear it out. This may irritate. Blood may begin to stand out. Try to always work carefully, with light pressure, so that the blade lasts longer.
FAQ
As you know, the choice and use of safety razors and blades for them are accompanied by numerous questions. Additional questions may arise if the blade needs to be replaced.
How often should you replace a safety razor blade?
There is no exact answer to the question of how often you will need to change the blade on a safety razor. It all depends on numerous factors, including the technique and frequency of shaving, the quality of the hair, and the blade itself, as well as storage rules. On average, it is recommended to replace it after every 5-6 shaves.
Do safety razors last a lifetime?
Yes, safety razors are durable and can last for decades. However, the same cannot be said for safety razor blades. On average, one safety razor blade is only capable of 5-6 shaves, after which it will need to be replaced.
You should not try to save, and stretch the life of the blade. After all, the quality of shaving suffers from this, as well as your feelings. Dull blades will rip out hair, causing uneven shaves, scratches, and irritation. Because of this, your appearance will deteriorate. You should not save on yourself.
How do I know if my safety razor is dull?
This can be determined by the fact that the razor no longer glides smoothly over the skin. It constantly clings to the hairs and tears them out. These are unpleasant sensations, so you definitely can’t go wrong.
How many shaves does a Razer blade last?
On average, as already mentioned, you need to change the safety razor blade every 5-10 sessions. It all depends on the density of the hair, as well as the frequency of shaving.
However, Gillette, which supplies some of the best safety razors on the market, advises doing this every 5-7 sessions. However, this is only a recommendation, and it is not necessary to follow it.
Results
As you can see, safety razor blades last not so long. However, these are still good indicators when compared with disposable razors. Even a weekly replacement of blades will cost you less than the constant purchase of disposable blades that become completely dull after each use.
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