An electric shaver can be a refreshing alternative to the scraping, cutting blades of a traditional razor. Use a wet/dry shaver for the convenience of being able to shave either in or out of the shower, with shaving foam or without. Wet/dry shavers are battery-operated, rechargeable and are available for women and men. Wet/dry shavers are especially convenient for traveling because if you find yourself without immediate access to a shower or if you are in a hurry, you can shave dry. Purchase a wet/dry shaver with a pop-up clipper for easy trimming of a beard, mustache, sideburns or pubic area.

Trim the hair to be shaved with scissors if it is especially long, as longer hairs can jam the blades of a wet/dry shaver.

Soak the area to be shaved in hot water in the shower or bath for several minutes, or cover in a steaming towel if not in the shower. This will help soften the hair. Shampoo and condition the hair if it is especially coarse to help soften it even more.

Squeeze a dollop of shaving foam into your hands and work it into a lather.

Rub an even coat of the foam onto the area to be shaved. Let the foam absorb into the hair for a few minutes before shaving.

Shave the area. A wet/dry shaver will not slice your skin. Shave legs in long strokes, against the grain. Shave the face in long up-and-down strokes, carefully following the contours of the face. Shave armpits in short up-and-down and side-to-side strokes. Shave the pubic area in upward strokes. Try to hold the wet/dry shaver at about a 45-degree angle. Rinse the blade of the shaver frequently as you go. Wet/dry shavers can be immersed in water.

Rinse the shaver and pat dry, then place it back in its charger.

Dust the area to be shaved with baby powder or cover it in shaving foam. Baby powder or shaving foam will help soothe the skin and allow the shaver blade to glide smoothly across the skin. Because the area is not being soaked in warm water to soften the hair, dry shaving is best left to less-coarse hair or areas of short stubble that are shaved frequently.

Shave legs in long strokes, against the grain. Shave the face in long up-and-down strokes, carefully following the contours of the face. Shave armpits in short up-and-down and side-to-side strokes. Shave the pubic area in upward strokes. Try to hold the wet/dry shaver at about a 45-degree angle. Blow, brush or use a towel to wipe away the excess hair from the blade as needed.

Brush the shaver clean once finished and place it back in its charger.

Wipe away the leftover baby powder or shaving foam with a towel. Don’t rub too much with the towel, as this can irritate newly shaven skin. Apply your favorite after-shave skin-care product to the freshly shaved area.