What to Research for an English Project the Art of Shaving

Removal of hair with a razor or other bladed implement

This article is well-nigh the use of a razor. For the thin strip removed from the surface of a piece of wood past planing, meet Plane (tool). For the metalworking process, run across Piercing (metalworking) § Shaving.

"Dry shave" redirects here. For the cartoonist, run across Rod Filbrandt.

Cartridge razor with 2 blades

Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down—to the level of the peel or otherwise. Shaving is almost commonly adept by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm pilus. A man is called clean-shaven if he has had his beard entirely removed.^[i]

Both men and women sometimes shave their chest pilus, intestinal hair, leg pilus, underarm pilus, pubic hair, or any other body hair.^[2] Head shaving is much more common among men. It is often associated with religious practise, the military machine and some competitive sports such as swimming, running, and extreme sports. Historically, head shaving has too been used to humiliate, punish and show submission to an authorisation,^[3] and in more than recent history as well as part of fund-raising efforts, especially for cancer research organizations and charitable organizations which serve cancer patients. The shaving of caput hair is also sometimes washed by cancer patients when their treatment may result in hair loss.

History [edit]

Human being existence shaved with straight razor. Roadside, Kashgar

Before the advent of razors, hair was sometimes removed using 2 shells to pull the hair out or using water and a precipitous tool. Around 3000 BC when copper tools were developed, copper razors were invented. The idea of an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene may have begun at this time, though Egyptian priests may have expert something similar to this earlier. Alexander the Great strongly promoted shaving the bristles for Macedonian soldiers before battle because he feared the enemy would grab them.^[iv] In some Native American tribes, at the time of contact with British colonists, it was customary for men and women to remove all body pilus.^[5]

Directly razors are known to have been manufactured in Sheffield, England since the 18th century.^[6] In the United States, getting a straight razor shave in a barbershop and self-shaving with a straight razor were still common in the early on 1900s. The popularisation of self-shaving changed this. According to an estimate by New York City hairdresser Charles de Zemler, barbers' shaving acquirement dropped from nigh 50 per centum effectually the time of the Spanish–American War to x percent in 1939 due to the invention of the safety razor and electrical razor.^[7]

Safety razors have been known to be since at to the lowest degree 1876 when the unmarried-edge Star safety razor was patented by brothers Frederick and Otto Kampfe. The razor was essentially a small piece of a straight razor attached to a handle using a clamp mechanism. Before each shave the blade had to be fastened to a special holder, stropped with a leather belt, and placed dorsum into the razor. After a time, the blade needed to be honed by a cutler.^[8]

In 1895, Rex Camp Gillette invented the double-edged condom razor, which utilised inexpensive, disposable blades sharpened from ii sides. It took him until 1901 to build a working, patentable model, and commercial production began in 1903.^[9] The razor gained popularity during World War I when the U.South. military started issuing Gillette shaving kits to its servicemen: in 1918, the Gillette Safety Razor Visitor sold iii.5 million razors and 32 million blades. After the Kickoff World State of war, the company changed the pricing of its razor from a premium $5 to a more than affordable $1, leading to another big surge in popularity.^[10] The Second Globe War led to a similar increase in users when Gillette was ordered to dedicate its entire razor production and most blade production to the U.S. military. During the war, 12.5 million razors and 1.5 billion blades were provided to servicemen.^[eleven]

In 1970, Wilkinson Sword introduced the 'bonded blade' razor, which consisted of a unmarried blade housed in a plastic cartridge.^{[12] [13]} Gillette followed in 1971 with its Trac II cartridge razor that utilised two blades.^[xiv] Gillette built on this twin blade design for a time, introducing new razors with added features such as a pivoting head,^[15] lubricating strip,^[16] and spring-mounted blades^[17] until their 1998 launch of the triple-bladed Mach3 razor.^[18] Schick launched a four-blade Quattro razor later the same year,^[19] and in 2006 Gillette launched the five-bract Fusion.^[20] Since then, razors with six and 7 blades have been introduced.^{[21] [22]}

Wholly disposable razors gained popularity in the 1970s subsequently Bic brought the first dispensable razor to market in 1974. Other manufacturers, Gillette included, soon introduced their own disposable razors, and by 1980 disposables made up more than 27 percent of worldwide unit sales for razors.^[23]

Shaving methods [edit]

Shaving tin can exist done with a straight razor or safety razor (called 'manual shaving' or 'wet shaving') or an electrical razor (called 'dry out shaving') or beard trimmer.

The removal of a full beard often requires the use of scissors or an electrical (or beard) trimmer to reduce the mass of pilus, simplifying the process.

Moisture shaving [edit]

At that place are 2 types of manual razors: straight razor and condom 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 utilize has two precipitous edges on opposite sides of the blade. Electric current multi-bladed cartridge manufacturers try to differentiate themselves by having more than or fewer blades than their competitors, each arguing that their product gives a greater shave quality at a more affordable cost.

A Gillette 'Old Type' condom razor, the start razor to use double-edge razor blades.

Earlier wet shaving, the expanse to exist shaved is usually doused in warm to hot water past showering or bathing^[24] or covered for several minutes with a hot moisture towel to soften the skin and pilus. A lathering or lubricating agent such as foam, shaving soap, gel, foam or oil is unremarkably applied after this. Lubricating and moisturizing the skin to exist shaved helps forestall irritation and damage known every bit razor burn down. Many razor cartridges include a lubricating strip, made of polyethylene glycol, to function instead of or in supplement to extrinsic agents.^[25] It also lifts and softens the hairs, causing them to dandy. This enhances the cutting action and sometimes permits cutting the hairs slightly below the surface of the skin.^{[ citation needed ]} Additionally, during shaving, the lather indicates areas that take non been addressed. When soap is used, information technology is generally applied with a shaving castor, which has long, soft beard. It is worked up into a usable lather past the brush, either against the confront, in a shaving mug, bowl, scuttle, or palm of the hand.

Closeup of a disposable razor shaving stubble off the underside of a chin. The direction of razor travel is the same every bit the direction of the stubble hairs or 'grain'.

Since cuts are more likely when using safety razors and direct razors, moisture shaving is more often than not 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 hairs. Alum blocks and styptic pencils are used to shut cuts resulting from the shave.

Aftershave [edit]

An aftershave lotion or balm is sometimes used subsequently finishing shaving. It may comprise an antiseptic agent such as isopropyl booze, both to forestall infection from cuts and to act as an astringent to reduce skin irritation, a perfume, and a moisturizer to soften the facial skin.

Electrical shaving [edit]

A rotary blueprint electrical razor.

Oscillating blades of a foil-blazon shaver

The electrical razor (electric shaver) consists of a set up of aquiver or rotating blades, which are held backside a perforated metal screen which prevents them from coming into contact with the peel and behaves much like the second blade in a pair of pair of scissors. When the razor is held against the skin, the whiskers poke through the holes in the screen and are sliced by the moving blades. In some designs the blades are a rotating cylinder. In others they are one or more rotating disks or a set of oscillating blades. Each design has an optimum motion over the skin for the all-time shave and manufacturers provide guidance on this. Generally, round or cylindrical blades (rotary-type shaver) motion in a circular motion and oscillating blades (foil-type shaver) move left and right. Hitachi has produced foil-type shavers with a rotary blade that operates similarly to the blade associates of a reel-blazon lawn mower. The first electric razor was congenital by Jacob Schick in 1928.

The principal disadvantages of electric shaving are that it may not cut the whiskers as closely every bit razor shaving does and it requires a source of electricity. The advantages include fewer cuts to the peel, quicker shaving and no demand for water and soap sources. The initial toll of electric shaving is higher, due to the cost of the shaver itself, but the long-term cost tin exist significantly lower^{[ citation needed ]}, since the cutting parts do not need replacement for approximately 18 months and a lathering production is not required. Some people besides find they practise not experience ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis barbae, besides called razor bumps), when using an electric shaver.

In contrast to wet shaving, electric shave lotions are intended to stiffen the whiskers. Stiffening is achieved by dehydrating the follicles using solutions of alcohols and a degreaser such as isopropyl myristate.^[26] Lotions are also sold to reduce skin irritation, only electric shaving does not ordinarily crave the application of any lubrication.

Mechanical shavers powered by a spring motor have been manufactured, although in the belatedly 20th century they became rare. Such shavers can operate for up to 2 minutes each time the spring is wound and do not crave an electrical outlet or batteries. Such type of shaver, the "Monaco" brand, was used on American space flights in the 1960s and 1970s, during the Apollo missions.^[27]

Beard trimmer [edit]

Bristles trimmer: a set of two hinged blades

The mechanics of a beard trimmer involves rotatory mechanics, crafted with a mini size motor, which rounds at a very fast speed. This motor causes a gear up of ii hinged blades to motility dorsum and forth past one another allowing for the hair cuticles to be cutting. The main reward of a bristles trimmer, unlike other shaving tools is that longer beards can be trimmed to a brusque length efficiently and effectively.

Furnishings of shaving [edit]

Aberrations [edit]

Shaving can have numerous side effects, including cuts, abrasions, and irritation. Many side effects tin can be minimized by using a fresh bract, applying plenty of lubrication, shaving in the management of hair growth, and avoiding pressing the razor into the skin. A shaving castor tin can too help to lift the hair and spread the lubrication. The cosmetic marketplace in some consumer economies offers many products to reduce these effects; they commonly dry the affected area, and some also help to lift out the trapped hair(south). Some people who shave choose to use only unmarried-blade or wire-wrapped blades that shave farther abroad from the pare. Others take skin that cannot tolerate razor shaving at all; they apply depilatory shaving powders to dissolve hair above the skin's surface, or grow a beard. Some anatomical parts, such as the scrotum, require extra intendance and more advanced equipment due to the uneven surface of the pare when the testicles shrivel during coldness, or its imbalance when the testicles hang low due to being warmer.^[28]

Cuts [edit]

Cuts from shaving can bleed for well-nigh 15 minutes. Shaving cuts can be caused by bract movement perpendicular to the blade's cutting axis or by regular / orthogonal shaving over prominent bumps on the skin (which the blade incises). As such, the presence of acne can brand shaving cuts more likely, and extra care must be exercised. The utilise of a fresh, abrupt blade as well every bit proper cleaning and lubrication of skin can help prevent cuts. Some razor bract manufacturers include disposal containers or receptacles to avert injuries to anyone treatment the garbage.

Razor burn down [edit]

The red spot on this man's neck is razor burn.

Razor fire is an irritation of the skin caused past using a blunt blade or not using proper technique.^[29] It appears as a mild rash 2–4 minutes after shaving (once hair starts to grow through sealed pare) and usually disappears afterwards a few hours to a few days, depending on severity. In astringent cases, razor burn can also be accompanied by razor bumps, where the area effectually shaved hairs get raised crimson welts or infected pustules. A rash at the fourth dimension of shaving is commonly a sign of lack of lubrication. Razor fire is a common problem, especially among those who shave coarse hairs on areas with sensitive skin like the bikini line, pubic hair, underarms, chest, and beard. The condition can be caused by shaving too closely, shaving with a blunt blade, dry shaving, applying likewise much pressure level when shaving, shaving too quickly or roughly, or shaving against the grain.

Ways to prevent razor burn include keeping the skin moist, using a shaving brush and lather, using a moisturizing shaving gel, shaving in the direction of the hair growth, resisting the urge to shave too closely, applying minimal pressure, avoiding scratching or irritation subsequently shaving, avoiding irritating products on the shaved surface area (colognes, perfumes, etc.) and using an aftershave foam with aloe vera or other emollients.^[thirty] Putting a warm, moisture material on 1'due south skin helps as well, by softening hairs. This tin as well be done by using pre-shave oil before the application of shaving cream. Essential oils such as coconut oil, tea-tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil help to soothe skin after shaving. They have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties.^{[ commendation needed ]}

In some cases multi-bladed razors can cause pare irritation by shaving besides close to the skin. Switching to a single- or double-bladed razor and not stretching the skin while shaving tin can mitigate this.^[31]

One other technique involves exfoliating the skin before and after shaving, using diverse exfoliating products, included but not express to, brushes, mitts, and loofah. This procedure removes dead peel cells, reducing the potential for ingrown hairs and allowing the razor to glide beyond the skin smoothly decreasing the take a chance of the razor snagging or grabbing causing razor burn.

Razor bumps [edit]

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a medical term for persistent inflammation acquired by shaving. It is likewise known past the initials PFB or colloquial terms such equally razor bumps.

Myths [edit]

Shaving does not cause terminal hair to grow dorsum thicker, coarser or darker.^{[32] [33]} This belief arose considering hair that has never been cut has a naturally tapered end, as information technology emerges from the skin's hair follicle, whereas, after cutting, there is no taper. The cutting hair may thus appear to be thicker, and feel coarser as a upshot of the sharp edges on each cut strand. The fact that shorter hairs are "harder" (less flexible) than longer hairs also contributes to this effect.^[34] Pilus can also appear darker after it grows dorsum because hair that has never been cut is often lighter from sun exposure. In improver, equally humans grow older pilus tends to abound coarser and in more places on the face up and trunk.^[35] For example, teenagers may start shaving their face or legs at effectually 16, just as they age hair will start to abound more than abundantly and thicker, leading some to believe this was due to the shaving, but in reality is simply part of the maturation process.

Shaving in religion [edit]

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity [edit]

Hindu, Jain and Buddhist (normally only monks or nuns) temples take ceremonies of shaving the hair from the scalp of priests, nuns, and certain followers, as a symbol of their renunciation of worldly way and esteem. Amish men and some other plain peoples shave their beard until they are married, after which they allow it to grow just continue to shave their mustaches. Tonsure is the exercise of some Christian churches.

In Hinduism, in certain communities, a child'due south nascence hair is shaved off equally function of a set of religious rites (samskaras)

Islam [edit]

Sunni [edit]

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: The definition of the beard as stated by the scholars of (Arabic) language is: the pilus of the face up, jawbone and cheeks, in the sense that all the hair on the cheeks, jawbone and chin is office of the beard and removing whatever of information technology is counted every bit a sin, considering the Messenger said: "Permit your beards grow," "Leave your beards lonely," "Permit your beards increase," "Let your beards be full." This indicates that information technology is non permissible to remove anything from the beard. Even so, Ibn Omar, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, used to cutting from his beard annihilation that outgrew a fist'south length.

Shia [edit]

According to the Shia scholars, the length of beard should not exceed the width of a fist. Trimming of facial pilus is allowed, all the same, shaving information technology is makruh (religiously discouraged).^{[36] [37] [38]}

Judaism [edit]

Observant Jewish men are bailiwick to restrictions on the shaving of their beards, as Leviticus 19:27 forbids the shaving of the corners of the head and prohibits the marring of the corners of the beard.^[39] The Hebrew word used in this verse refers specifically to shaving with a blade confronting the skin^{[ citation needed ]}; rabbis at unlike times and places have interpreted it in many ways.

Tools like scissors and electric razors, which cutting the hair between two blades instead of between blade and skin, are permitted.

See besides [edit]

• Androgenic hair
• Barber
• Beard
• Bristles Liberation Front
• Burma-Shave
• Cutting
• Glabrousness
• Hair removal
• Head shaving
• Leg shaving
• Pogonotomia, the art of shaving
• Fraternal Order of Police v. Urban center of Newark
• Pubic hair
• Shaving cream
• Shaving soap

References [edit]

1. ^ "Clean-shaven". freedictionary.com. Retrieved 2007-09-26 .
2. ^ Susan Breslow Sardone. "What is a Bikini Wax?". about.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-26 .
3. ^ Mark of a woman (February 20, 2007). "Mark of a woman". BBC News . Retrieved 2007-09-26 . (from net archive)
4. ^ Sherrow, Victoria (2006). Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History (Google eBook). Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 142. ISBN978-0313331459.
5. ^ Brown, Kathleen (2009). Foul Bodies: Cleanliness in Early America. Yale University Press. ISBN978-0-300-10618-3.
6. ^ "razor | shaving implement | Britannica.com". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
7. ^ McKibben, pp. 17–eighteen
8. ^ McKibben, pp. 5–6
9. ^ McKibben, pp. 5–14
10. ^ McKibben, pp. xviii–21
11. ^ McKibben, p. forty
12. ^ "History of Mens Shaving". Schick.com. Edgewell Personal Care. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
13. ^ McKibben, p. 68
14. ^ McKibben, pp. 67–69
15. ^ McKibben, p. 96
16. ^ McKibben, p. 118
17. ^ McKibben, p. 240
18. ^ Aoki, Naomi (31 August 2003). "The state of war of the razors". annal.boston.com. The New York Times Visitor. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
19. ^ "Gillette's New Razor: No New Blades!". CBS Interactive Inc. 12 Feb 2010. Archived from the original on half-dozen June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
20. ^ "Gillette unveils 5-bladed razor". CNN Coin. Cablevision News Network. xiv September 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved half-dozen June 2017.
21. ^ "Anyway you slice it, doesn't a six-blade razor feel excessive?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved eleven June 2017.
22. ^ Wells, Jonathan. "Introducing the seven-bract razor (considering v just wasn't plenty)". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Archived from the original on 12 Oct 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
23. ^ McKibben, pp. 97–99
24. ^ "How to shave". aad.org. American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on half dozen September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
25. ^ Braun, David. "Razor component and lubricating strip". Retrieved 23 November 2014.
26. ^ "Pilus Preparations," Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemical science. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2006). doi:x.1002/14356007.a12_571.pub2
27. ^ "Shaver, Mechanical, Apollo – Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum". Airandspace.si.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2012-10-20 .
28. ^ United states Pharmacopeia Dispensing Information: USP DI, Book 1, Parts 1–2; Book 2. Micromedex. 1988. p. 77.
29. ^ admin (12 April 2016). "How To Go Rid of a Razor Burn Quickly". First Health Mag . Retrieved 2016-04-20 .
30. ^ "How to Go That Perfect Shave". MSNBC. 2005-01-30. Archived from the original on 2005-02-04. Retrieved 2011-xi-24 .
31. ^ "Skin care tips for men". aad.org. American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 28 Nov 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
32. ^ "hirsutism / hypertrichosis – does shaving stimulate hair growth / hypertrichosis". Keratin.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24 .
33. ^ "Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker?". MayoClinic.com. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2011-eleven-24 .
34. ^ "Shaved Hair Grows Darker". snopes.com. Retrieved 2009-08-29 .
35. ^ "Aging changes in hair and nails". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 2013-09-01 .
36. ^ "Ayatollah Sayed Sadiq Hussaini al-Shirazi » FAQ Topics » Bristles". Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved xi March 2017.
37. ^ "Bristles – Question & Respond – The Official Website of the Office of His Eminence Al-Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani". Retrieved 11 March 2017.
38. ^ "Practical Laws of Islam". Retrieved 11 March 2017.
39. ^ Leviticus 19:27

Bibliography [edit]

• McKibben, Gordon (1998). Cutting Edge: Gillette's Journey to Global Leadership . Harvard Business concern School Press. ISBN0-87584-725-0.

Farther reading [edit]

• Ham, Michael (2012). "Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving, 6th edition: Shaving Made Enjoyable," Pogonotomy Press. ISBN 978-1477436806

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