For 50 years, we've been sold "smooth" shaves, yet 67% of humans say they still expect irritation. It turns out the challenge isn't a smooth shave, but avoiding the negative outcomes for your skin like razor burn, irritation and ingrown hairs.
At Henson, we've addressed this using our 22+ years of aerospace machining expertise to identify major flaws in mainstream razors, such as unsupported cutting blades, and design the Henson in a way that truly protects your skin.
Cartridge blades are built with a lot of spring and movement allowed. This causes drastically more tugging that only gets worse as the blade dulls.
Henson’s blade is held rigidly, which is the ideal way to hold a blade that you want to use to shave without irritation.
The Henson supports the blade close to, and all along the cutting edge, effectively eliminating the ability of the blade to bend.
Look how the cartridge razor blades bend back and dig in once they meet resistance. The same thing is happening when you shave through your hair.
A 30 degree angle is the ideal shaving angle. Not too steep, not too shallow. It strikes the perfect balance between shaving efficiency and protecting your skin.
The blade also sticks out less than the thickness of a human hair. This is the control and precision you want when shaving.
In our groundbreaking study, participants shaved one side of their face with the Henson razor, and the other with a leading multi-blade brand. Using a cutting-edge medical imaging device, we were able to see beneath the skin and observe a significantly reduced irritation response on the side shaved with Henson.
Our partnership with MIMOSA Diagnostics positions Henson as the first shaving company to analyze the body's reaction to shaving at this level of detail.
And we’re just getting started.
Dr. Karen Cross is the founder and CEO of Mimosa Diagnostics, a medical device company. She is a trained surgeon and engineer as well. The Mimosa Pro is the technology anchor to Henson’s research on shaving induced erythema.
Dr. Eduardo Perez has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Rutgers University where he studied signal transduction before joining the Signum Biosciences team and eventually becoming their Chief Science Officer.
Dr. Mary Claire Peirson, HBSc., M.D., C.C.F.P, is the co-owner and medical director of ArtMed with extensive experience in family medicine, public health, infectious disease, and medical aesthetics. She holds degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto, and McMaster University.
Expect to spend $2-3 per year on blades once you own the Henson. That's the price of a single multi-blade head.
The Henson is all metal, and the blades are fully recyclable.
Use any double edge blades you want. You're not locked into our blades.
The Henson is designed, machined and packaged at our aerospace facility in Ontario, Canada where we've made complex parts for projects like the ExoMars Rover and the International Space Station.
To shave effectively you want a rigid, precisely controlled blade. Imagine cutting anything with a wobbly knife—it wouldn't work well and shaving is no different.
Your skin is already soft and flexible, so combining it with a flexible, wobbly blades like in multi-blade razors causes more tugging and digging when passing through your relatively harder hairs.
Using more blades means more unnecessary passes across your skin. A single blade lets you shave precisely as much as needed, greatly reducing irritation.
Also, with a five blade razor, once the leading blade dulls, the shave becomes too painful anyways, rendering the remaining blades useless.
Essentially, you're paying for five blades but throwing most of them out while they’re potentially still sharp.
Yes. We precisely machined and controlled the dimensions of the Henson razor so the blade gap is similar to the blade gaps found in multi-blade razors.
You’ll have the same level of safety using a Henson as you would using a multi-blade.
No, the Henson uses standard double edged safety razors you can buy anywhere.
Yes, we’ve tested the Henson all over the human body and are confident you’ll get a great shave no matter where you’re shaving.
Henson Shaving has partnered with MIMOSA Diagnostics to conduct groundbreaking research aiming to better understand the physiological effects of shaving on the skin. Learn more about our groundbreaking research.
Shaving is a surprisingly complicated task. The coarseness and density of hair, combined with the angle of growth, make it difficult to shave without causing harm. However, by using the right techniques and tools, men can reduce irritation and make shaving an enjoyable part of their skincare routine.
The shaving industry has failed consumers by prioritizing profits over skin health, perpetuating a cycle of irritation and discomfort. Despite advancements in technology, razors have remained largely unchanged, with manufacturers focusing on trivial features rather than addressing the root causes of shaving-related issues.