If you were born after 1970, your first razor was probably a multi-blade razor. I know mine was.
Which, you know, is fine. For your first foray into the world of shaving, it’s a reasonable place to start. But in the same way that that bottle of peach schnapps might have been your first sip of alcohol, hopefully your tastes matured. Well, not so with razors for most people.
Starting with cartridge razors is usually driven by familiarity for most young men and women. After all, that’s probably what their parents used. It’s certainly what takes up most of the shelf space at the local drug or grocery store.
For those who did get a crash course on shaving from their parents, it makes sense that they taught you using the tools they’re comfortable with.
...there’s another powerful driver at play: the assumption that multi-blade razors are safer to use.
Beyond familiarity, though, there’s another powerful driver at play: the assumption that multi-blade razors are safer to use. I mean, the cartridges conveniently snap into the handle. The recessed blades and rectangular head make it somewhat difficult to cut yourself unless you’re being careless.
However, users are more prone to irritation, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, etc. Most people don’t necessarily value that, since they don’t believe it can be addressed. Well, it can.
Here are our top three reasons to consider starting your shaving life with a single-blade razor:
1. Skin Complexion
Many teens struggle with problem skin. An estimated 85%* get acne, which can continue into their 20s. Many razors will remove the top layer of your skin barrier (mostly dead skin cells), exposing the deeper layers. If not properly cared for, exposed skin can become inflamed and irritated, leading to pimples and other blemishes.
While your razor is unlikely to prevent acne entirely, a single-blade razor can limit damage to your skin. Because multi-blade razors are designed to lift and pull hair, they are more prone to ingrown hairs and other forms of folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles). These often appear as red bumps on the face, worsening your complexion. Furthermore, when a hair is cut below the surface of the skin, it creates an opening for sebum and natural oils to pool, possibly resulting in more blemishes.
And certainly, if your skin is already inflamed with acne or other skin conditions, dragging multiple flexible blades across it is likely to lead to even more inflammation.
Henson has conducted research demonstrating that its razor is gentler on the skin. For those struggling with acne and other related skin issues, the type of razor isn’t typically discussed as part of the solution. It’s time that changed.
2. It Creates Bad Shaving Habits
While cartridge razors are generally considered easy to use, they come with some nuanced challenges regarding technique. The most prevalent issue is that people tend to press too hard.
The drag force you feel on your skin is directly related to the initial load you apply to the razor. The more load, the more drag force. Not properly prepping your skin can create additional friction as well.
So you might be thinking: “Well, I just won’t press as hard then.” Fair enough—but there are two reasons you’re probably pressing harder than you think. First, since pressure is defined as force per area, the large surface area of a cartridge razor gives the sensation of less pressure. Second, because the blades in a multi-blade razor flex by design, if you don’t press hard enough you’ll feel a distinct and unpleasant tugging or pulling sensation. So, consciously or unconsciously, you’re naturally going to press harder to counter that feeling.
Ultimately, most people who use a multi-blade razor end up pressing too hard,
Ultimately, most people who use a multi-blade razor end up pressing too hard, creating excess friction on their face and increasing the likelihood of irritation or cuts.
Starting with a Henson razor, with a single blade, small contact area, and rigid construction naturally encourages a gentler load force. You won’t feel that tugging sensation at lower pressure, giving you the opportunity to reduce friction and its consequences.
3. It’s So, So Much Cheaper
Over the course of your life, you’ll spend the majority of your shaving money on blades, not razors. That is, the consumable or replaceable part is what you’ll need to keep buying for decades.
Double-edge blades are anywhere from 25 to 100 times cheaper than cartridge alternatives. The average user could save thousands of dollars over their lifetime.
Here’s the kicker: because multi-blade replacements are so expensive, people often use them longer than they should. According to a survey, over 80% of people admit to shaving with dull blades.
Shaving with dull blades increases the chance of cutting yourself, essentially undoing the perceived safety benefit of multi-blade razors in the first place.
Starting with a single-blade razor like the Henson will improve your complexion, teach you proper shaving technique, and save you a lot of money, either for yourself or for the young adults in your life.
*Source: UC Davis Health – What causes acne and how do I treat it?