Wet or Dry Shaving » How to make the right Decision

The early morning can already bring the first important decision: shave dry or wet?

First off: a wet shave is significantly more thorough compared to a dry shave, and there's no way around it. However, to be fair, dry shaving also has its advantages.

In this article, we compare the main advantages and disadvantages of both shaving methods. Let's start with the basics.

What is a wet shave? 

The difference from a dry shave lies in the method you use to prepare your hair for shaving: with a wet shave, the hair is cut directly at the base with a blade or a knife .

This means that you need to soak your beard hair with the help of shaving foam or gel and water. Only in this way can a smooth shave be guaranteed. 

The main advantages of a wet shave at a glance 

• Smooth result: the blades of the wet razor adapt optimally, so you can rely on really smooth skin.
  
  
• Good care result: Since you use shaving gel or foam for a wet shave, your skin gets an extra dose of care.
  
  
• Less mess in the bathroom: with a wet shave, you rinse directly with water or perform the procedure right in the shower.
  
  
• Electricity and noise-free: The wet shave requires no electricity and makes no noise.
  
  
• Fresh feeling: You start the day with a fresh, good feeling. What could be better?

It doesn't matter whether you perform your wet shave with a razor with a replaceable blade or a safety razor. The important thing is the right preparation of your skin.

Our shaving products support you with this.

Possible disadvantages of a wet shave at a glance

Here are the disadvantages at a glance:

• Time-consuming: due to handling shaving foam and co, you need to plan more time for the shave overall - although you can also see this positively: Body care always has a wellness character and means pure me-time for you in the early morning! So it's worth it.
  
  
• Technique: when wet shaving, you need to be more precise, as the risk of injury is higher; you should master your craft - but don't worry, it's not as difficult as you think.
  
  
• Cleaning and changing blades: the blades should be changed after about every tenth shave and cleaned after every shave, otherwise you could get infections. But it should also be said: the dry shaver must also be cleaned.

What is a dry shave? 

For the dry shave, you only use your razor and need neither water nor any shaving gels. The stubble is cut with a device a millimeter above the skin layer, rather than directly at the skin.

Ideally, the hair should be as stiff and dry and protrude straight out of the skin. Optional pre-shave products can be used to dry and stiffen the skin, freeing it from the film of oil that can negatively affect the shaving result. 

Advantages of a dry shave at a glance 

• Time: since you can start directly with the dry shaver, you save time
  
  
• Gentle on the skin: since the dry shaver cuts the stubble less deeply, it irritates your skin less
  
  
• Less risk of injury: cuts are avoidable in this way

Disadvantages of a dry shave at a glance

• Electricity: you need to regularly charge the dry shaver, otherwise you can't use it
  
  
• Noise: the noise level is higher than with a quiet wet shave
  
  
• Quality of the shave: with a dry shave, you can never achieve such a thorough shave as with a wet shave
  
  
• Problem areas: very sensitive areas are more difficult to access with the dry shaver; it is possible that you will have to go over them several times

In summary, the following can be said: A dry shave is ideal for everyone who has little time in the morning and prefers a quick result. It is also gentler on your skin. However, if you value a perfect and smooth result and are willing to invest a little more time, you should use a wet shave.

For example, we recommend the Störtebekker razor for a wet shave. For the dry shave, you will also find a good selection of products in our online store.