Electric razor

The first electric razors came on the market in 1915. Compared to the wet razors, the dry shave was initially not as thorough. However, an electric razor is more suitable for sensitive skin.

What is an electric razor?

The most modern high-tech models of electric shavers today include rotary razors, dry razors with density sensors, dry razors with lasers or dry razors with cooling.

The electric razor was patented back in 1898. In 1915 the first dry razor came on the market. However, it still worked on the basis of a mechanical wind-up motor which drove rotating blades. It was not until the thirties of the twentieth century that small electric motors were developed for the razor. The dry shave was then also referred to as a safety shave because the knife block is protected by a shaving foil. Injuries could no longer occur.

Jakob Schick later developed an electric shaver with a swing armature motor. This is an oscillating system. This device came onto the market in 1937 by the Remington company from the USA.

After the Second World War, the rotating 3-blade shearing system developed by the Philips company in 1939 became established. The development of the electric razor has led to a shaving quality that is as good as that of hand razors. Skin irritation is even less common with electric razors than with wet razors.

Shapes, types & types

Electric shavers come in two basic versions. There are razors with multiple blades that perform rotating movements. The other variant consists of razors that have a cutter.

The basic structure of an electric shaver is very simple. It only consists of a cutting part and an electric motor. Today there are razors that release built-in emulsions to achieve an even more perfect shave. In some cases, the technology already allows shaving with an electric razor to outperform wet shaving. In any case, the costs for shaving with electric razors are significantly lower than for wet shaving, since the blade should be replaced after 8 to 12 shaves.

The most modern high-tech models of electric shavers today include rotary razors, dry razors with density sensors, dry razors with lasers or dry razors with cooling. Rotary razors ensure effective skin contact through movable oscillating heads. With dry razors with density sensors, the whisker density is determined and the vibration frequency of the razor is adjusted accordingly. The laser dry shaver shows the exact cutting line, which means that the dry shave can be made particularly accurate. With dry razors with cooling, the skin is pleasantly cooled while shaving.

The electric razors also have special models for women. These devices are known colloquially as lady shavers. However, this is more of a marketing ploy than the need to develop razors specifically for women or men.

Structure & functionality

Before shaving with an electric razor, the face should be cleaned thoroughly. However, it is important that the beard hair is dry before dry shaving. The dry razor cuts most effectively on dry skin.

The direction in which the razor is moved while shaving does not affect the shave. However, the most sensitive areas should be shaved first, because the device warms up over time. Otherwise, sensitive skin areas react with skin irritation when heated. After shaving, the use of an aftershave is recommended as it refreshes the skin and is also anti-inflammatory.

The shave is usually not as perfect as with a wet shave because the whiskers are not cut off directly on the skin. However, dry shaving is preferable to wet shaving for sensitive skin. The dry shave with the electric razor is also not as time-consuming as the wet shave.

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Medical & health benefits

A shave is mainly of cosmetic importance, regardless of whether it is done with an electric razor or with a wet razor. In a few cases, however, it is also medically indicated. This is especially the case if eczema develops under the beard or body hair, which can only heal on a smooth surface of the skin.

However, health aspects rarely play a role in shaving. It is more about cultural, religious or ritual aspects. The current ideal of beauty is also decisive. For many men, but also for women, shaving is part of body care in order to look attractive. Most of the time, however, their meaning is not questioned.

However, it is more important to question the influence of shaving on skin reactions. Sometimes it happens that skin irritations occur after a shave. Particularly sensitive skin can react with reddening and itching. These skin irritations usually show up with wet shaving, because here the blade is more in contact with the skin than with a dry shave.

For example, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to shave with an electric razor. But skin reactions sometimes occur here too. However, a good aftershave can largely reduce the risk of skin problems thanks to its cooling and disinfecting effect.

However, some problems show up before you shave. It can happen, especially with curly hair, that it grows into the skin. The end of the hair migrates back as it grows and grows onto the skin. In these cases, regular peeling should be carried out before dry shaving. The upper layer of the cornea is removed chemically or mechanically, in addition to the solution of ingrown hairs, dead skin cells, sebum and dirt are removed.