For many men, shaving their face daily can be a tedious chore that causes irritation and ingrown hairs. Some men find that shaving less frequently, such as once or twice a week, can help reduce these problems. But is shaving just once a week OK in terms of appearance, skin health, and stubble regrowth? Here is a look at the pros and cons of weekly shaving for men.
The benefits of shaving weekly
Shaving less often has some potential benefits:
- Less irritation – Shaving daily can cause redness, bumps, and irritation for some men, especially those with sensitive skin. Taking a break for several days allows skin to recover.
- Fewer ingrown hairs – Curly, thick stubble is prone to growing back under the skin, causing ingrown hairs. Less frequent shaving means less opportunity for ingrowns.
- Saves time – It takes less time to shave once or twice a week versus a daily shaving routine.
Many men find their skin feels less irritated overall when they limit shaving to every 3-4 days. This can be especially true for men who get frequent razor bumps or ingrown hairs when shaving daily.
Potential drawbacks of weekly shaving
While less frequent shaving has some benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Visible stubble – With weekly shaving, heavy stubble will be visible after 4-5 days.
- Prickly feel – Stubble can feel rough and prickly to touch after a few days.
- Patchy growth – Facial hair may grow in unevenly, leaving patchy areas of dense and light stubble.
- Not suitable for some jobs/events – Heavy stubble once a week may not suit men who need to look clean shaven for work or special events.
For men who grow facial hair quickly and densely, keeping up with weekly shaving can be challenging. The visible stubble and roughness may be undesirable.
Tips for making weekly shaving work
For men considering shaving only once or twice a week, here are some tips to make it work:
- Use a new, sharp razor – Dull blades tug and irritate skin more. Replace cartridge razors after 5-7 shaves.
- Take a warm shower first – The heat and moisture soften stubble for easier cutting.
- Use a moisturizing shaving product – Creams, gels, and oils hydrate skin and help the razor glide over stubble.
- Shave with the grain – Go with the direction your hair grows to avoid irritation.
- Rinse blade often – Prevent stubble from clogging the razor and tugging at hairs.
- Moisturize after – Apply a balm or moisturizer to soothe skin post-shave.
- Exfoliate between shaves – Gently exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs.
- Trim as needed – Use clippers or scissors to trim the areas that show faster growth.
Taking steps to gently shave and care for your skin can make the longer intervals between shaves more comfortable.
What experts say
Most skincare experts agree that shaving daily is not necessary for most men. Here is the consensus from dermatologists on shaving frequency:
- Shaving every other day is suitable for many men. This allows the skin to rest while keeping stubble at bay.
- Shaving 3 times a week (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri) works well, as long as stubble stays short and neat.
- Shaving once a week is OK if you can maintain a tidy, close-cropped beard the rest of the week.
- Allow 2 days between shaves if you tend to get ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
- Men with curly, coarse hair may need to shave daily to keep heavy stubble under control.
The ideal shaving frequency comes down to your hair type, skin sensitivity, and personal preference. It’s fine to shave weekly if it works for you, but maintain facial hair neatly between shaves.
Potential problems from shaving just once a week
While shaving weekly may be suitable for some men, there are a few potential problems to keep in mind with large gaps between shaving:
- Stubbly, messy appearance – After 4-5 days of growth, stubble can look uneven, patchy and unkempt.
- Spiky stubble feel – Longer stubble can be coarse and uncomfortable against the skin for both you and your partner.
- Increased ingrown hairs – Leaving stubble to grow out for a week often leads to more ingrown hairs.
- Bacteria accumulation – Long stubble holds onto more dirt, oil and bacteria compared to clean-shaven skin.
- Skin irritation – For men with curly, thick hair, long stubble can tug and poke the skin leading to bumps and redness.
These potential issues are most likely for men who can grow very thick, fast-growing facial hair. For those with lighter, sparser growth, shaving weekly may be less problematic.
Who should not shave just once a week?
While shaving weekly works for some men, it is not recommended for those who:
- Have highly visible jobs – Men like models, actors, TV personalities, and public speakers need to keep heavy stubble under control.
- Are prone to ingrown hairs – Coarse, curly facial hair is prone to ingrown hairs with longer lengths.
- Grow hair very fast – Men with quick growing stubble will struggle to maintain a neat appearance for a week.
- Have sensitive skin – Daily shaving can help prevent long hairs from irritating sensitive complexions.
- Want a smooth face – If you prefer the feel of clean-shaven skin, weekly shaving leaves face rough.
For these men, keeping up with shaving every other day or a few times a week is better to control stubble.
The results of shaving weekly
Here is an overview of the expected results when shaving just once per week:
| Days After Shave | Stubble Length | Appearance | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Smooth | Clean shaven | Soft |
| Day 2 | Stubble visible | Short stubble visible | Slightly rough |
| Day 3-4 | 0.5 mm | Heavy stubble | Spiky, prickly |
| Day 5-7 | 1 mm or more | Very heavy, messy stubble | Coarse, uncomfortable |
As the table shows, after 3-4 days without shaving, stubble becomes clearly visible, heavy, and uncomfortable. Keeping up a very neat, cropped beard is difficult when shaving just once weekly.
Should you shave against or with the grain?
When shaving less often, men may wonder if shaving against or with the grain is better:
- Against the grain – Provides an extremely smooth shave by cutting hairs slightly below skin level. But can cause more irritation.
- With the grain – More comfortable shave that avoids irritation by only cutting hairs at skin level. Results in slight visible stubble.
Most experts recommend shaving with the grain, especially for men who shave weekly. Going against the grain risks irritation, ingrown hairs, and razor burn when shaving less often. Shaving with the grain provides a smooth result while being gentle on the skin.
Shaving weekly in your 20s vs 30s
A man’s ability to maintain a weekly shaving routine can vary across age groups:
- 20s – Most men can go 5 days before stubble becomes too long. Skin may be more prone to irritation from shaving gaps.
- 30s – Slower hair growth means stubble stays tidier for the week. Skin is less prone to shaving irritation.
For men in their 20s, shaving weekly may result in messy heavy stubble before day 5. But by the 30s, slower hair growth can make the longer intervals between shaves more manageable.
Is weekly shaving OK for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin can become easily irritated by shaving. Here is how weekly shaving affects sensitive skin:
- Pros – Longer recovery between shaves reduces overall irritation. Skin doesn’t have to endure daily shave irritation.
- Cons – Existing stubble can scrape and scratch sensitive skin. Leaving hair to grow increases likelihood of ingrown hairs.
The verdict is that men with highly sensitive skin need to individually assess if less frequent shaving helps or worsens their shaving irritation. Maintaining a very smooth beard is critical for not aggravating sensitive skin.
Caring for your skin when shaving weekly
To help skin stay healthy and comfortable when shaving weekly, it helps to:
- Always shave clean skin – Shave after a shower or washing face with warm water.
- Use a moisturizing shave products – Choose gels, creams, or oils that hydrate skin.
- Avoid alcohol-based products – They can dry out skin and worsen irritation.
- Apply moisturizer post-shave – Nourish skin and soothe irritation after shaving.
- Gently exfoliate – Regular exfoliation keeps dead skin from clogging follicles and causing ingrown hairs.
- Avoid close shaves – Leave stubble slightly longer to prevent irritation from too-close shaving.
Proper shaving technique combined with nurturing skin care habits can make the longer interval between shaves comfortable on your face.
How to minimize stubble itchiness
Itchy stubble can be annoying in the days leading up to your weekly shave. To help prevent it:
- Moisturize daily – Keep facial skin hydrated to avoid dryness and itch.
- Avoid irritants – Steer clear of harsh skin care products that can worsen itching.
- Use beard oil – Oils can soften and soothe itchy stubble.
- Take antihistamines – If itchiness is severe, oral anti-itch medications can provide relief.
- Gently exfoliate – Removing dead skin prevents itch-causing buildup.
- Comb stubble – Brushing stubble can provide temporary itch relief.
Proper skin care and grooming habits can help you manage itchy stubble between shaves when maintaining a weekly routine.
How to make stubble look neat
Growing out stubble for a week risks an unkempt, messy look. To keep facial hair looking neat:
- Define edges – Use a beard trimmer to define edges along jawline and neck.
- Trim uneven areas – Scissor-trim patchy sections that grow unevenly.
- Brush stubble – Brushing coats helps stubble lay flatter and smoother.
- Use beard oil – Oils can tame flyaway hairs.
- Shampoo beard – Regular gentle cleansing removes dirt and flattens stubble.
- Get regular trims – Seeing a barber every 2-3 weeks prevents stubble from getting scraggly.
Putting some effort into properly grooming stubble makes a weekly shaving routine appear intentional rather than simply lazy.
How to reduce ingrown hairs when shaving weekly
For men prone to ingrown hairs, shaving weekly can make the problem worse. To help avoid ingrowns:
- Exfoliate regularly – Prevent dead skin and oils from blocking follicles.
- Avoid close shaves – Cutting stubble too close to the skin line leads to ingrowns.
- Shave with the grain – This avoids cutting hair at an angle likely to cause it to grow back under the skin.
- Rinse beard post-shave – Remove shaved hairs likely to cause ingrown hairs.
- Apply products with glycolic acid – Chemical exfoliants can prevent ingrown hairs.
- Avoid messing with stubble – Picking or scratching at hairs can push them under the skin.
Paying close attention to proper shaving technique and beard care makes managing ingrown hairs easier when shaving weekly.
Conclusion
Shaving weekly can work well for some men, allowing their skin a break from frequent shaving. However, men with very fast and coarse hair growth may find keeping stubble under control for a week difficult. The key is keeping facial hair neat and tidy in between shaves. With proper skin and beard care, shaving weekly can be suitable for many men. But it comes down to understanding how your facial hair and skin responds to less frequent shaving.