The Difference Between Foil And Rotary Shaver And The Right Type Of Electric Shavers For You

 

 

On the first look, rotary and foil shavers both look the same and there are many people who can’t tell the difference between them. Discover which shaver is better for you: foil or rotary. Get trusted advice on how to get a comfortable, close shave and read our product reviews.

When you are buying a new electric shaver, the first thing you will consider is the type of blades. There are two main types of shavers in this category: foil and rotary. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks and will suit different facial hair types. In general, razors that use a circular motion are better for longer hairs and razors with straighter blades are better for shorter hairs. We will compare rotary and foil shavers in this article.

 

Overview Rotary Electric Razor

 

 

The most common type of electric razor is the rotary model, which has two or three circular heads with cutters that spin in a circle. A blade on this cutter is perpendicular to the razor head, which means it can't get as close to the skin as a blade on manual razors. Thus, when you shave with an electric razor, it cuts hair at skin level instead of underneath it. As you move the razor along your skin, hair gets caught between the blades and is tugged before being cut.

 

Rotary razors use circular blades underneath the head of the razor to cut your hair. The head moves in a similar motion to how you would use a manual razor. They work well on all facial hair types but are best suited for longer hair because they can easily get clogged when shaving very short hairs, which means they will have to be cleaned more often. Rotary razors also tend to be more expensive than other types of electric razors, so they might not be the best choice if you’re just looking for a cheap one to take with you on vacation.

 

Overview of Foil Electric Razor

 

Foil razors have straight blades covered by metal foil, hence their name. The razor moves in a side-to-side motion to cut the hair. A foil razor works differently, they work well on shorter hairs. Instead of rotating cutters, a thin metal foil sits above a single blade attached to an oscillating arm that goes back and forth rapidly several hundred times per second.  

 

As the shaver glides over your face, the blades move in an up and down motion and cut hair that enters the holes in the foil. This type of shaver is great for people who have sensitive skin.

 

 

As with a rotary razor, this type doesn't shave hair underneath the skin. However, since it has only one cutter instead of several that spin around each other.

 

What is the difference between foil and rotary shaver? 

 

 

Foil shavers are more common in the market than rotary shavers, though that does not mean that the latter is inferior in any way. Rotary shavers have their advantages over foil shavers.

 

Rotary razors are so-called because they have rotating heads which move the blades of the razor. The blades of the razor are placed underneath a spherical head, which is perforated with holes to allow hair to pass through.

 

The foil razor is so-called because it has a thin layer of foil placed on top of the blades of the razor. It has small holes that are designed to let hair through for cutting by the blades underneath. The foil covers both sides of a straight row of blades, hence its name.

 

 

Foil Shaver

 

In simplest terms, the main difference between foil and rotary shavers is how they cut your facial hairs. A foil shaver uses oscillating blades under a perforated screen to cut hair. The screen, or foil, protects your skin from nicks and cuts while allowing hair to be cut as it passes through the holes.

 

This type of blade is known to be very good at cutting hair, especially coarse hair. It has some other benefits over the other type. The first one that you can notice is its size. Foil shavers are generally smaller, much smaller than rotary shavers. This makes them easier to carry around and find a place for them in the luggage when you go traveling.

 

Another benefit of a foil shaver is that it cuts using oscillating blades (there are three of them) under a metal foil, which prevents the skin from getting cut or damaged by the blades underneath.

 

The downside of this type is that it works best with short facial hair. If you have longer hair or if you have not shaved for a few days, it may not work as well as it should, or as well as a rotary shaver would work in such a case.

 

Rotary Shaver

 

Rotary shavers are very different from foil shavers. Instead of moving in an up and down motion, a rotary shaver moves in circular patterns. The heads, usually three or four, spin around and are designed to hug the contours of your face. You shave much slower with a rotary shaver than a foil shaver, but they work great on all areas of the face. As expected, rotary shavers are better at cutting long facial hair than foil ones

 

 

A rotary shaver has three or four independent round cutting heads that spin 360 degrees to cut hairs. The heads are often mounted on independent suspension so that they can pivot around to conform to the contours of your face. 

 

The blades move around in a circular motion to cut hairs that enter between the holes into the blades. Many men like this type of razor because it gives them more control over their shaving experience.

 

Takeaway: As you will notice, the main difference between these two electric razors is in their design and how they cut hair.

 

 

 

 

How To Stop Bumps After Shaving: How to prevent bumps

 

The skin irritation, redness, and unsightly bumps that show up after shaving can be embarrassing for both men and women. Shaving improperly can also cause ingrown hairs that are painful and sometimes infected. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to help eliminate these irritating side effects of shaving. Bumps after shaving can be a pain, but there are ways to prevent them from occurring. Here's what you need to know about how to stop bumps after shaving:  

 

Apply Moisturizer After Shaving

 

Remember to use a moisturizer on the area after you shave. This will soothe your skin and replenish moisture that is lost while shaving.

 

Avoid Using Soap When Shaving

 

Do not use soap when shaving because it can dry out your skin and cause irritation that leads to bumps.

 

Shaving cream

 

Use shaving gel or cream instead of soap. This moisturizes your skin, making shaving easier and less likely for you to get nicks or cuts. Use Creams That Contain Salicylic Acid. Choose shaving creams that contain salicylic acid to help exfoliate your skin before you shave, as well as help to fight against bumps afterward. You should also use a moisturizing lotion or cream on your skin after shaving to keep it from drying out and getting irritated.

 

Use a brand new razor

 

Use a brand new razor each time you shave. The single-blade razors work the best because they don't cut as close as the newer razors do, which means they won't cause as many ingrown hairs. Make sure to rinse off your razor after each use with cool water and store it in a dry, clean place so that it will stay sharp and clean for next time.

 

Shave in the direction of hair growth.

 

Never shave against the grain as this can cause ingrown hairs and your skin to become irritated. Shave with the grain instead. Rinse your blade often to remove hair clippings so you won't end up shaving over the same area multiple times. This will also prevent you from applying too much pressure to your skin and causing irritation. If you have thick hair, you may have to shave against the grain (especially on your neck) to get a close shave, but be extra careful when doing so.

 

Shaving less often

 

 

Shaving less often allows hair to grow out of the skin before cutting it again, which can help avoid ingrown hairs and razor bumps. If you must shave every day, apply shaving cream to soften the hair and help your razor glide smoothly across the surface of your skin. Also, switch to an electric razor, which will reduce irritation by cutting hair off at skin level instead of scraping off a layer of skin with a blade.

 

 

Make sure your razor is sharp

 

Razor burn is often caused by dull blades, so make sure your razor is as sharp as possible before shaving. Dull blades tug on your hair instead of cutting it cleanly, which can irritate your skin. If you use a disposable razor, replace it after five shaves. For a manual razor with replaceable blades, swap them out more frequently than the package recommends--like every time you shave if your skin is sensitive. If you don't know when you last changed your blade, it's time to do so. Wet your beard thoroughly before you shave. A warm shower or bath will soften your facial hair and make it easier for the blade to cut through without pulling or tugging. 

 

 

Wash the area thoroughly before shaving, and rinse with warm water to prevent bacteria from entering open wounds

 

Taking the time to improve your shaving technique will go a long way toward reducing irritation and improving the overall appearance of your skin. Shave at the end of the shower, when the hair follicles are softer and more receptive to the razor. Use a sharp, clean blade to make each stroke cleanly through the hair. Don't shave too closely, as this will increase irritation and inflammation. Follow up with moisturizer and sunblock.

 

Apply ice to the bumps

 

Apply ice to any bumps that appear after shaving and repeat every couple of hours for 24-48 hours. If that doesn't help reduce inflammation and pain, try applying hydrocortisone cream twice daily for about two weeks.

 

 

Exfoliate the skin

 

Make sure you exfoliate the area you are going to shave by using a scrub or a washcloth, some sugar, olive oil, or your favorite body scrub before you shave. Doing this will help remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs from forming after shaving.

 

This is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent razor burn.  Exfoliating your skin is a great way to give it a much-needed reboot. It helps remove dead skin cells and toxins, which helps you get that fresh, younger look. You can exfoliate your skin using a washcloth and some sugar, olive oil, or your favorite body scrub. Also use a store-bought product like a pumice stone or an exfoliating brush, if you want.

 

Try this three times a week for about 10 minutes each time. That will help release the hairs so they come out easily and won't get trapped beneath your skin after you shave, which is what causes those bumps.

 

Exfoliating has a lot of other benefits too (plus it feels great), so try to make it a regular part of your shower routine. But keep in mind that exfoliating with a washcloth or brush every day can irritate the skin as well, especially if you have sensitive skin. So once or twice a week is a plenty for most people.

 

Just make sure the area you’re exfoliating is wet before you start. Exfoliating dry skin can cause microabrasions, which will leave your sensitive skin more susceptible to infection and scarring.

 

 

Choose an alcohol-free aftershave product.

 

Alcohol in aftershaves can dry out your skin, making the irritation worse.

Aftershave is usually suggested to help soothe your skin after shaving, but if you have very sensitive skin, the alcohol in some products can make things worse. To avoid this problem, look for an aftershave that's free of alcohol.

 

Alcohol-free aftershaves usually contain a natural oil base and have soothing properties that reduce irritation, provide moisture, and leave your skin feeling soft. Look for an aftershave product that contains essential oils. These oils are very effective in making your skin feel smooth.

 

After shaving, pat your face dry with a clean towel. Afterward, apply the aftershave with a gentle touch to avoid irritating the skin further.

 

The benefits are that alcohol-free aftershaves are gentler on your skin and reduce redness and irritation that you might experience with a more traditional product. They can also be more moisturizing for your skin.

 

 

Moisturize immediately after Shave

 

Moisturize immediately after you shave for best results. Use a really good lotion or moisturizing cream because your skin is much more vulnerable after you've shaved and it needs all the help it can get. You can find lots of men's shaving creams with moisturizers already built-in, but this isn't a requirement for a good shave. Use plain old Nivea cream to moisturize if you want, as long as you don't mind smelling like your grandma.

 

You can also use some extra virgin olive oil, which is an excellent moisturizer, absorbs quickly, is great for your skin, and smells fantastic. Most importantly, it's cheap and you probably already have it in your kitchen pantry.

 

Apply the moisturizer over the entire face, not just over the shaved area. The blade removes natural oils from your skin and can leave it dry and irritated, so apply the moisturizer over your entire face, even if you didn't shave, to give your skin a protective barrier against the elements.

 

Use as much moisturizer as you need. You might be tempted to use a little bit of lotion if you're in a hurry, but if you don't use enough then it won't do any good. It's better to take your time and apply more than less because that way you're sure that all of your exposed skin gets covered with a protective layer of moisture.

 

 

Takeaway: You can stop bumps after shaving by rinsing the areas with cold water and washing them right away, choosing a fresh razor, using a shave gel, and avoiding lotions and creams for a few days so that your skin has time to heal.