It’s deep; it’s comprehensive, it adds value, no-fuss, no-frills: “a down to earth, no-nonsense buyer’s guide for the Best Electric Shaver for Black Men.” Possibly the best guide you will read online.
In this article, I will point out the most common shaving problems faced by men of African descent. Also, I will highlight a few pre and during-shaving tips, along with some premium electric razor for black men on the market.
“A brief overview.”
Black men are naturally strong, tenacious, and fearless. And more often than not, black men are decisive. Yes, it’s in the brother’s genetic makeup to make wise decisions, not only for himself but for his families and loved ones as well.
However, where shaving is a concern, the majority of black men are faced with a problem. And this has nothing to do with you having a preference to buy a cheap electric shaver. But everything has to do with your skin type and the various particularities of your facial hair.
Particularities of facial hair? I will explain it.”
Where shaving is concerned, we all face common problems; the occasional skin irritation, nicks, and cuts are nothing new.
But apart from that and a few unpleasant and even painful experiences that most men encounter while shaving, black men, more often than not, have to deal with a lot more. Mainly, razor bumps, not just a few, but in some instances an enormous amount.
Then we have the issue of dry skin and ingrown hair.
Up to 60% of African American men experience ingrown hair, and this, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. So, you see, shaving is a real issue, primarily because of the set of unique challenges it poses to men of African descent.
And I can go on and on, but the main reason for me writing this post is to offer you solutions. Sure, I will point out the most common shaving problems. But my prime interest is to present to you the best electric shaver that will drastically, and in some cases, prevent skin irritation, ingrown hair, and razor bumps.
And with that, I now present to you a complete guide on getting the best electric shaver for black men.
Read Also: Beard Trimmers for Black Man.
The problem: Black men and shaving
First of all, I want to reverberate that men of all ethnicity, to some degree, have or will face some of the shaving problems discussed here. However, according to the above-stated research, men of African descent to a higher degree.
What’s the problem?
I’m glad you asked. Alright, it has to do with your curly coarse facial hair.
Let me explain
Your hair type and its position on the skin are the real cause of ingrown. Hairs cut too close to the surface instead of growing straight out, curls back toward the skin.
And to make matters worse, the average shaver cuts flat-lying hair at an angle, thus making the edges sharp and easy to penetrate back into the skin as it grows. And with the human immune system being what it is. It triggers a response that results in inflammation at the location of the ingrown.
There’s also the issue of razor bumps, and as previously mentioned, the sharp jagged ends of hair curl and grow toward the skin, thus causing razor bumps.
If not treated, razor bumps can lead to more severe cases of an outbreak on the face and neck. In this case, it’s best not to shave; doing so may result in permanent scarring. Instead, I highly recommend that you see a dermatologist.
See Also: Best Hair Clippers For Black Men.
Premium features of electric shavers most suited for black men
It’s worth pointing out here that some electric shavers are notorious for causing bumps and irritation.
Therefore, it is for this reason why choosing a suitable electric razor for black men is of vital importance.
All shavers aren’t equal; as such, being cautious about the type of electric shaver you are attempting to buy is going to be crucial.
But first, you must understand the intricacies of your facial problems before you can buy a best shavers for black men that addresses those issues. So then, having a good understanding of your shaving issues is key to getting the best electric shaver.
I have deliberately highlighted the word “best electric shaver;” because most shavers are good overall, but to meet specific needs, and in certain situations, present problems.
Therefore, buying a premium shaver with premium features to address your particular needs is a top priority. So, with that, here are the essential traits of the ideal electric shaver for black men.
Essential features of electric shavers for African American
I have carefully analyzed and put together a collection of premium features and functionalities of an ideal electric shaver that will address the common shaving problems that black men face.
- The shaver must be efficient at capturing flat-lying curly hairs.
Braun is the first brand that comes to mind when you think about this feature. Braun shavers are second to none in terms of lifting the hair, then cutting it straight instead of cutting it at an angle.
Your average shaver cuts hair at an angle, thus leaving sharp jagged ends to curl back and penetrate your skin. And of course, this causes the development of ingrown hairs. So, ideally, you want a shaver to lift and cut flat-lying hair.
I’ve seen over the years, especially with younger guys, a tendency to use an electric shaver without first analyzing its features. Whether or not it’s suited to address the specific problems they face.
Also, I have seen a lot of younger guys carry on their frequent shaving while suffering from razor bumps and ingrown hairs; this is a bad practice. What you want is for the skin to heal first, then use a shaver with multi-mode settings to continue your shaving.
Another nemesis is skin irritation, and using a shaver that isn’t suited for your hair and skin will no doubt lead to skin irritation.
The capability to capture flat-lying curly hair is an important hallmark of an electric shaver for black men. Having this feature with your shaver will go a long way in you keeping out of harm’s way of ingrown hairs, skin irritation, and razor bumps.
There is no substitute for good health, and over the years, this feature has been the Achilles’ heel for many electric razors. So, keep on the lookout for this essential feature.
- Fast motor, gentle on the skin, and sharp blades are a must
A fast motor will produce enough cutting power for your device’s sharp blades. And I said “sharp” for a reason, so pay attention to it; because if the device’s blade isn’t sharp, it will result in the pulling and tugging of your hair.
Shaving with dull blades isn’t a good idea; the fact that the blades are dull means you will need to make additional strokes and apply more pressure to cut your hair.
And while this may not pose any serious problem for some guys, for others, especially with sensitive skin, razor burns, ingrowth hairs, and irritation are waiting to happen. So, for this reason, having an electric shaver with a fast motor, sharp blades, and quick-change technology is crucial.
- The shaver must not shave too close to the skin.
And since we were talking about the motor and sharp blades, the next apparent talking point is the closeness of shave. What’s the ideal closeness for black men? Well, I will go as far as to say this: “using an electric shaver that doesn’t give a very close shave is ideal for black men.
Sure, everybody is after the closest shave possible, and this makes perfect sense, but only if you aren’t susceptible to razor bumps, ingrown, and other related issues. Otherwise, a very close shave isn’t ideal for dark skin men.
- Dry and wet shaving capabilities are optional but ideal
Shaving and skincare go hand in hand. Taking care of your skin allows for a better shaving experience. And on the flip side, adapting a proper shaving routine results in healthier skin: “I will touch on this later on.” But the point I want to zero in on; is the razor’s wet shave capability.
You may ask, “what’s the point of using an electric shaver?” To enjoy a dry shave off-course, not entirely though.
So then, if your dry shaving isn’t yielding good results, I recommend that you use a good quality shaving cream with your electric shaver. Many have reported the experience they have had using shaving cream: “smooth.” Shaving with a quality cream doesn’t only achieve a close and comfortable shave, but it helps to reduce skin irritation and razor bumps.
It’s now time to get into the nitty-gritty of the best electric razors for black men.
The Best Electric Shavers for Black Men in 2021
There are seven electric shavers listed here, and we will cover them in great detail. We will look at premium features, price, suitability, and much more!
#1. Braun Series 9 9290cc Review
My experience with Braun electric shavers is nothing short of a love affair. What I like about Braun’s line of electric shavers has to do with the manufacturer going over and beyond to strike the perfect balance between closeness and comfort. And the 9290cc is the shaver that epitomizes this feature the most.
The Series 7 was the incumbent torchbearer, but now, the Series 9, the latest upgrade, has taken over. The 9290cc offers more value, especially in those areas that matter the most. Sure, I’m fond of the Series 7, but since the Series 9 was introduce; I have more than the apparent reason to shave. The Series 9 takes everything great about the Series 7 and improves on it.
Among the premium features is an advanced shaving head consisting of five different shaving elements. The first of which are two Opti Foil cutters, perfect for capturing and cutting your facial hair in one swipe.
Then there are two specialized trimmers, but the one in particular that catches my attention is the titanium trimmer. The trimmer being titanium means it does not contain nickel, which is something that often triggers an allergic reaction in some men.
The real prowess of the titanium trimmer is its ability to capture and cut even the thickest of hair with a few strokes. Which speeds up the shaving process and reduces the chances of developing skin irritations: “good news, especially for men with sensitive skin.”
And then there’s the Skin Guard that allows for a close, comfortable shave, but not too close to trigger any skin irritation.
Also, the head of the 9290cc can move in 10 different directions without you having to adjust it. The shaver automatically adjusts to the contour of your face while you shave. This makes the shaver’s propensity to deal with flat-lying, and coarse hair in awkward to reach angles hassle-free compared to its foil counterparts.
And did I mention that the shaver is waterproof? Yes, you can use it with shaving cream in and out of the shower. There’s also a light-up LED display that notifies the user that the shaver has nine minutes of charge left.
The clean and charge base, as compared to the Series 7, has a step-up in feature, it dries the shaver right after cleaning it with an alcohol-based solution.
The other thing I want to point out is that Braun’s shavers compare to other foil razors are more difficult to clean manually. And as such, the best-case scenario is for your shaver to include an automatic cleaning station to sanitize and lubricate the razor.
And mind you, not all of Braun’s shavers come with an automatic cleaning and charge setup. But the 9290 cc has one, and it’s a step up from the Series 7. The 9290 cc’s Cleaning and charge setup does not only clean the unit by removing shaved stubble.
But it also lubricates and dries the shaving device within a few hours with an alcohol-based solution. And then, it completes the whole process by charging the device automatically.
Now, that’s pretty darn impressive if you consider that alcohol-based solutions naturally take hours to dry. But this shaver’s based solution can dry your shaver in as fast as an hour.
Pros
- An advanced shaving head consisting of 5 shaving elements that capture, and cut even the thickest of hair in one swipe, while at the same time maintaining comfort.
- Lightweight, its ergonomic body makes it easy to handle, regardless of hand size.
- It has a 10-directional shaving head that follows the contour of your face.
- It has a Li-Ion battery that delivers 50 minutes of use after an hour of charge.
- It’s Hygienic, and it has a fast-drying solution base.
- Renowned for its gentleness: great for men with sensitive skin.
- Efficient at shaving, thus reducing the length of your shaving sessions.
Cons
- Very costly, but hey, if you can afford it, it’s worth every penny.
- Replacement parts are expensive: on par with a premium shaver of this caliber.
- Hard to clean manually.
Overall Assessment
Braun continues its long heritage of being among the stand-out names where electric shavers are a concern. And its 9290 cc is a benchmark model and an excellent shaver for black men. It has all the features of the Series 7, and much more.
It has a powerful motor to deliver constant cutting power to the four cutting elements. It’s fully waterproof, up to five meters.
It’s efficient, lightweight, hygienic, and above all, understand the facial particularities of black men. Sure, it’s costly, but then again, there’s nothing like it, and it ticks all the boxes.
#2. Braun 7 790cc Review
Arguably the most popular electric razor of our time. The Braun Series 7 790 is enjoyed by thousands of men worldwide. Everything about this razor is impressive, even its10, 000 plus reviews on Amazon with a 4.4 average rating.
In the packaging of this device, you can expect to find a travel case, perfect to tuck in a bag, and carry with you, and the Cleaning and charging base. And a charger with the cleaning solution.
Here are the stand out features about the 790 cc:
It has an Opti Foil design that guarantees a close and long-lasting shave. A Protective Skin Guard to safeguard against nicks and cuts, ideal for black men with sensitive skin.
It also has an Active Lift trimmer that captures flat-lying hairs in difficult areas.
It has a multidirectional head that moves in 8 different directions.
Its motor creates 10,000 vibrations per minute that provide a cushion for the shaving head to glide over the contour of your face.
An Autosensing technology that automatically adjusts the cutting power to match the hair type.
The shaver is completely waterproof and is capable of both dry and wet shaving.
The cleaning and charge base automatically maintains the 790cc when not in use. It uses an alcohol-based solution to disinfect the blades and remove the stuck stubble from shaving.
Pros
- Multidirectional shaving head that moves in 8 different directions while at the same time following the contours of your face.
- Efficient offers a quick and clean shave.
- Provides versatility with five power modes; making it ideal for men with sensitive skin type
- Ergonomic grip for secure handling.
- A cleaning and charging station for easy maintenance
- Fifty minutes of runtime, perfect for extended sessions.
- LCD indicator to keep you up to date with the device status.
- Wet and Dry shaving capabilities
Cons
- Not ideal for all skin types.
- It cannot recharge without the charging base.
Overall Assessment
Braun Series 7 790cc is a reliable alternative for the 9290 variations. The shaver’s overall performance is remarkable.
And it seems to me that Braun’s main focus in designing this shaver is performance. Prolonged performance is the stand out feature of this shaver. And mind you, it does not lack in other essential features either.
And just like the 9290cc, the blade is designed to capture and cut flat-lying hairs, making it well suited for black men with curly hair.
In all, I’m pleased with the capabilities of the shaver. An older model indeed, but it still delivers premium performance that makes for the perfect shaving experience.
#3. Philips Norelco 9700 Review
The flagship of Philip’s product line of electric razors is the Norelco 9700. And I see why; its design and premium features make for one luxurious shaving experience.
There’s a Smart Click cleaning brush, a trimmer, the Cleaning and charging base, a power cord, and the cleaning solution, all inside the packaging.
There’s a school of thought which suggests that a rotary electric shaver isn’t well suited for black men. But I am afraid I will have to disagree. However, I can see the merit of such an ideology.
Such an idea has to do with the fact that the typical rotary shaver does not give you an extremely close shave as compared to foil shavers. “I agree with that,” and that is what we want, we are not after a shaver that cut the hair at skin level.
Because as previously mentioned, if the hair is cut at skin level, it will easily curl and grow back into the skin. And thus, causing ingrown, razor bumps, and skin irritations.
And besides, the Norelco 9700 is not your typical rotary shaver. To that matter, Philips Norelco Company dominates the rotary electric shavers’ industry: “a class above the rest.”
This rotary razor consists of three independent disc-shaped heads arranged in a triangular formation. Each head moves separately from each other in eight different directions. Well, these rotary heads can pivot 360 degrees and flex inwards. Meaning they can each adjust and follow the contour of your face.
Another cool feature to point out is the V-Track Precision Blades Pro, and this allows the machine to capture and cut even the smallest of stubble.
The until also comes with multi-power mode that you can adjust to suit your needs. Phew! There are so many things to note about the 9700, that if I should list all of them here; I would run out of words and time. So then, here are the additional hallmark features that make the 9700 the best rotary shaver that money can buy.
LED display to monitor the shaver. Everything about the shaver is displayed here, blade health levels, battery health, travel lock indicator, and more!
It has a Li-Ion battery that produces 60 minutes of runtime on an hour charge.
There’s a Smart Click cleaning brush attachment to clean your face after you attach it to the back of the shaver with your favorite facial wash.
An all-in-one cleaning and charging station that cleans lubricates, and dries the shaving heads.
Pros
- Rotary heads work exceptionally well with long and coarse hairs. And all this while it perfectly follows the contours of your face.
- It has three mode settings that you can customize to suit your skin type.
- An LCD keeps you abreast of everything about the shaver.
- There’s a Smart Click brush attachment to clean your face with your facial wash of choice.
- You will get sixty minutes of battery life from an hour’s charge.
- It comes with a charging and cleaning station.
Cons
- Expensive, but you decide.
- You have to attach the trimmer to the body.
Overall Assessment
Three rotary heads that can pivot 360 degrees and flex inwards: “have access to hair in hard-to-reach angles.” An LCD that tells you everything you need to know about the device, a Cleaning and charging station to keep your unit in peak condition, and much more!
I highly recommend this shaver. And knowing that it does not give an extremely close shave makes it perfect for black men.
#4. Panasonic ES-LV95-S ARC5 Review
Panasonic is a household name where electronics are a concern. But when it comes to electric shavers, the brand may not ring a bell. And this has nothing to do with the value on offer. But a true reflection of how fiercely competitive the electric shaver industry is.
And besides, there are other strong contenders on show here, all of which are offering serious value for money. However, despite the odds stacking against it, somehow, the ARC5 ES LV95-S finds its way among the elites.
This may sound surprising to a few of you. But anyone that has used this shaver will tell you that this “bad boy” has all the essential features to rival the other well-known and established brands.
What’s in the packaging? The device, a plastic head protector, a travel case, the Cleaning and charge station, a cleaning solution, and charging cable.
The premium features:
It has a foil shaver consisting of five different cutting elements at a 30 degrees angle. Its multi-flex head allows for a smooth following of your face’s contour.
There’s a power-pack motor that seamlessly produces unmatched cutting power at 14000 cuts per minute. And keep in mind that the motor regulates the power flow to the blades according to the hair type being tackled: “a built-in sensor allows it to accomplish this.”
And if you want to trim before you shave, a pop-up trimmer will take care of that for you.
Wet and dry shaving? No problem; the shaver is fully waterproof and is adept at wet and dry shaving.
An LCD screen will keep you up to date with the device’s status, the battery, blades’ health (will notify you when to replace them), and a few more.
What about Cleaning? You are covered. It boasts a cleaning and charging station to keep your shaver in prime condition. Oh, did I mention that everything is automatic? Yes, from start to finish, the whole cleaning and charging process is automatic.
Pros
- Five separate multi-flex blades that closely follow the contour of your face.
- Maintenance is easy; its Cleaning and charging station takes care of that.
- It can charge without the charging station; you can plug it into an outlet, and you are good to go.
- The charging station comes with a built-in dryer that dries the device quickly.
- Premium motor that delivers unmatched cutting power.
- LCD indicator to keep you in check with the unit and its features.
- Shave sensor technology that adjusts accordingly, based on the hair type. Thus, avoiding repeated strokes.
Cons
- The charging station isn’t of the highest quality.
- Blades tend to get dull pretty quickly, but you can prevent that from happening if you properly maintain them.
- Somewhat expensive, but that is up to you.
Overall Assessment
With five shaving blades, the ARC5 can cut tick curly hair with one with a few swipes as possible. The advantage of having five shaving blades is a real game-changer, the other blades capture even the smallest of hairs missed by the first blade. Guaranteeing a clean, close shave.
You might take a bit of time to adjust to the five modules, but not to worry, the shaver will do the heavy lifting for you.
Read Also: Best Cologne for Black Men
#5. Braun Series 7 7865cc Review
The Braun brand is heavily featured in this guide, and why not, they are the leading company in the electric shaver industry. To add to their collection is the Braun Series 7 7865cc, another world-class model, built with performance in mind, along with other things.
And though this model isn’t the torchbearer for Braun’s shavers, it, however, matches the 9290cc and 790cc models on most essential features and capabilities.
“Let’s break this down to size, shall we?”
Let’s start with the packaging; there’s a travel case, the shaving device, the cleaning cartridge, the solution-base, the cleaning and charging station, and a charger.
I’m making this a simple as possible by highlighting the unit’s hallmark features, there are:
It has an Opti Foils design, coupled with a contour following, and eight directional head to give a comfortable, smooth, and close shave, even in hard-to-reach places.
It has multi-mode settings, five to be exact. Perfect for any skin type and great news for black men with sensitive skin. There’s also a pop-out trimmer for long facial hair that needs trimming before you shave.
Wet and dry shaving isn’t an issue either; this shaver has the capabilities for that also. Its waterproof feature allows it to submerge up to 5 meters underwater. Yes, you can clean the device under running water, but I don’t recommend you to do this often, instead use the cleaning station.
The power supply of this shaver isn’t a problem either; you will get 50 minutes of the runtime of its rechargeable battery. And as expected, the unit has a battery indicator.
Then there’s a Cleaning and charging station for easy Cleaning and maintenance.
Pros
- It offers a clean and close enough shave, not extremely close, but close enough not to trigger, skin irritations, and razor bumps.
- Eight directional head that follows the contour of your face and reach hair in difficult areas.
- Cleaning and charging that allows for hassle-free maintenance.
- It takes care of wet and dry shaving without fuss, fully waterproof.
- It has five mode settings that offer coverage for any skin type.
- The shaver has an ergonomic grip that allows firm, secure handling.
Cons
- .. again: “you decide.”
- The beard trimmer isn’t that sharp.
Overall Assessment
Buying this device is worth every cent. And I can’t see anyone having any buyers’ remorse with a purchase of this shaver. You are getting premium value for your money.
In my estimation, the 7865cc covers all the essential bases comfortably. There’s no shortage of premium features, and in terms of premium elements, it’s standing head and shoulders with the other elite electric shavers on this list.
#6. Panasonic ES8243A Arc4 Review
Unlike the ARC5, the ARC4 model of Panasonic electric shavers doesn’t have a cleaning and charging station. However, it does not shy away from the ARC5 in terms of features and capabilities.
The shaving device comes along with a charger, a travel case, and a plastic case.
Let’s get into more details.
The ES8243A boosts a flexible pivoting foil head alongside four cutting blades that are powered by a powerful motor that delivers 13000 cuts for minutes. And this allows it to cut any hair type and stubbles while it follows the contour of your face.
There’s also a trimmer that allows you to trim and touch up your beards and mustaches.
The ARC4 has an LCD interface with a ten-stage battery indicator. Charging and blade replacement is the other two indicators.
The device is fully waterproof. And its wet and dry shave capabilities are on par with the other premium razors.
Pros
- Four efficient cutting blades for a quick and clean shave
- It has a tearaway motor that delivers cutting power of 13000 cuts per minute.
- LED display that informs you about the battery and blades’ health.
- The ergonomic grip makes for secure handling.
- Wet and dry shave capabilities
- The pop-up trimmer can trim long hair before you shave, and allows you to touch up your beards and mustache.
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- The shaver doesn’t come with a cleaning and charge station.
- The device doesn’t have a multi-mode setting.
- Compared with the other premium shavers, its head isn’t as flexible.
Overall Assessment
The ARC4 offers excellent value for its price. Its major hallmark is performance. The typical electric shaver cuts at 10000 cuts per minute. But the ARC4 delivers 13000 cuts per minute, which’s 3000 cuts more compare to other shavers.
The benefit of having such a powerful motor reduces repeat strokes, the leading cause of razor burn. And it guarantees a smooth, quick, and clean shave.
#7. Wahl Professional 5-Star Series Rechargeable Shaver
A long heritage that stretches way back to 1919, Wahl is the esteemed for designing cutting-edge trimmers that satisfy the high demands of renowned professionals. And in the Wahl professional 5 stars, we have a shaver/sharper specifically designed for black men.
In the packaging, the device comes with a charging cord. And besides the other basic shaving elements, the stand-out feature of this shaver is the hypoallergenic foils. Along the line of features, there isn’t much to write home about; on par with its price.
But it’s worth pointing out that the battery gives you sixty minutes of runtime. Considering the price, that’s exceptional, and competing with premium electric shavers on the market.
Pros
- Give a close shave (not extremely close); ideal for African American men.
- It’s specialized in tackling curly hair and is a good alternative for black men on a tight budget.
- Cordless and corded capabilities
- It’s budget-friendly, doesn’t blow a hole in your pocket; in fact, it cost a fraction of what a premium shaver cost.
- It provides 60 minutes runtime on an hour charge.
- Sturdy and compact body, you can carry it around with peace of mind knowing that the odd fall won’t altogether ruin it.
Cons
- It doesn’t have any mode setting.
- Isn’t waterproof.
- It doesn’t have a pivoting head, so it might take a while before you get your angle sorted.
Overall Assessment
The Wahl Shaver/Shaper isn’t decorated as the other premium shaver on this list. But it, however, gets the job done. Yes, there are some essential drawbacks, but considering the price, I don’t see anyone complaining.
For black guys, this shaver/sharper focuses on delivering a comfortable shave. However, if you have very sensitive skin, you will need the service of a premium shaver. But if not, this budget-friendly electric razor can meet your needs. It’s’ simple, compact, offers a comfortable, and close enough shave. No frills, no fuss, turn it on; and it is good to go.
Why Black Men Need an Electric Shaver?
We won’t go over the common shaving problems faced by black men. Those were already covered in-depth. However, with attention to those issues, I will highlight why black men need an electric shaver.
Easy to Use
Manual shaving with a razor has its place, and its purists will tell you that you haven’t shaved until you shave with a manual razor. Well, I don’t quite agree with this, why I can see the main reason behind this school of thought being traditional, too much is at stake. And the drawbacks outnumber the benefits, where shaving with a manual razor is a concern.
And for black men, the stakes are even higher. Because a manual razor does not allow for mistakes, any less than perfect stroke will result in damming consequences. Either skin irritations, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs are almost guaranteed.
The problem with manual razors is if you’re adept at using them, you will ruin your face. And by this, I mean, permanently scarring your face as a result of the improper use of a manual razor.
Of course, using an electric shaver eliminates all this. An electric shaver is designed for shaving, and as such, do the heavy lifting. Thus, significantly reducing the likelihood of razor bumps, ingrown, and skin irritations. And all of this allows for safe, easy, and efficient use.
Sharp Blades
By and large, this isn’t an issue with your typical manual razor, but the thing is, you have to maintain them. And therein lies the difficulty, because keeping abreast with your razor to know whether its blade is sharp or not isn’t as straightforward as it may look. And for men with a busy lifestyle, this is improbable.
That being the case, you may, at some point, unconsciously shave with dull blades. And because a manual razor being what it is, this mistake can lead to razor bumps and skin irritations.
But it is a different ball game with electric shavers. A premium electric shaver has sharp blades that, for the most part, remain sharp. And most premium electric shavers have self-sharpening blades; they sharpen themselves.
Adjustable Mode Settings
Manual razors can be unforgiving to men with sensitive skin. And add to that, flat-lying curly hair on areas already scarred: “a disaster waiting to happen.”
So, for black men, especially those with sensitive, already scarred skin, the option to adjust the shaver to suit whatever skin type is a godsend. The manual razor doesn’t have this option, but electric shavers do.
Automatic Cleaning and Sanitizing
Not only for black men but anyone for that matter of fact; if you shave with dirty blades, there’s a great chance for a severe outbreak of some sort. Whether skin rash, razor bumps, skin irritations, an outbreak is bound to happen.
And this is another reason why I prefer electric shavers over manual razors. Because being a busy man, the probability of me unconsciously shaving with dirty blades is high if I use a manual razor.
Now imagine someone with sensitive skin doing the same, even if the blades are slightly dirty. Well, I don’t want to think of what will happen.
Therefore, for this reason, I highly recommend getting an electric shaver that comes with an automatic cleaning and charge station. The cleaning station takes care of everything, just put the device on the cleaning base, and it will take care of the rest.
Shaving and Skincare Tips for Black Men
Since there’s no full-proof way to prevent the common shaving problems from happening. It’s important to implement (if you don’t have one already) a good shaving and skincare routine.
Having a good shaving and skincare routine will drastically improve your shaving experience.
And with that, I will walk you through a few shaving and skincare tips.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliate at least twice a week with a good quality face scrub for men. Doing this will get rid of dead skin cells, while at the same time prepare the skin for a smooth shave.
- Use a Face Moisturizer Daily
Black skin has an innate tendency to dry more often when compared with other skin types. And such being the case, I suggest that you use a good face moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Thus, keeping it healthy, and less prone to skin irritations when you shave.
- Upgrade Your Razor
All razors aren’t equal; some perform better than some under different conditions. In this case, black guys should stay away from a shaver that gives an extremely close shave. That’s a feature you can do without, and mind you; you can still enjoy a clean, smooth, and close as possible shave, not extreme. Otherwise, it will lead to ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and skin irritations.
If the shaver you are currently using isn’t getting the results you are looking for, now is probably a good time to switch.
- Shave Less Often
Men who suffer from skin irritations should consider shaving less frequently. I’ve mentioned earlier that if you don’t leave your skin to heal before your next shave, it will cause permanent scarring. Shaving less regularly will also reduce the formation of ingrown hairs and razor bumps
- Shave in the direction of the hair growth
Shaving against the grain is common for most guys; after all, they want the closest shave possible, and shaving against the grain can achieve that. But for black guys with tight curly hair, shaving against the grain will lead to major problems (I’ve discussed them already)
The best-case scenario is for you to shave in the direction of your hair growth; this will limit the risk of ingrown hairs.
- Use a soothing aftershave.
Keep away from alcohol-based aftershave. Sure, alcohol-based aftershave has anti-bacterial properties. But it dries out and tightens your skin. And considering that your skin is probably already dry, I do not recommend using alcohol-based products. Instead, use an aftershave product with soothing properties such as Coconut, hyaluronic acid, and Aloe Vera.
Conclusion
I hold firm to my belief in the value, and I wrote this guide with that in mind. I know it will serve you well. After all, I have researched, analyzed, compared, and, more importantly, through trial and error, have an excellent knowledge of electric shavers discussed here.
The core of this post is to present the best electric razors on offer for black men, and I believe I’ve done that. And I want to point out to you that all shavers don’t achieve the same result for everyone.
And this is because no two persons have the exact skin type or facial hair pattern and shape. This means that you will get an electric shaver that suits you and will satisfy your needs perfectly.
I have heard of some men testing multiple electric shavers until they find that one that is ideally suited for them. So, it’s alright if you don’t find your perfect match at first. But what you have in this guide is the best of the best electric razor for African American skin, so you might want to consider these first before moving on.
Recommended: Best Clippers For Fading Black Hair.