We can all agree that utilizing high-tech solutions in life produces better results than ye olde alternatives (cellphone versus passenger pigeon, anyone?). This applies to the superficial, too. But while women were early adopters of anti-aging and cleansing innovations, it’s only recently that most dudes have discovered the literal beauty of battery-operated groomers. It helped that Clinique and Clarisonic introduced more masculine-looking devices that were specifically designed for your needs. The most recent addition to the grooming tool kit comes from The Art of Shaving and—no surprise here—its purpose is to set you up for the smoothest shave possible. Dermatologist Jared Jagdeo explains how the new Power Brush ($40) helps you get rid of razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
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Bumping Off Bumps
“This brush looks similar to brushes on the market, but it’s the only one that’s clinically tested with men and evaluated for whether this brush can release trapped hair. In the clinical trial, 69% of men saw an improvement in razor bumps and 85% of men had trapped hair released. The smaller head allows you to get access to spots like naso labial folds and places where men are more likely to get irritation and razor bumps, like under the jaw.”
Drop the Tweezers
“Across all ethnic groups, those with thicker, fuller hair, sometimes associated with curly and wavy hair, are more likely to get razor bumps. It’s especially a problem for African-American men, 70% of whom experience ingrown hairs. This happens when the hairs curl back in and re-pierce the skin and it can lead to inflammation. But pulling out ingrowns can lead to scarring and other outcomes we’d like to avoid like darkening of skin and patchy hair growth. Sometimes if you pluck out a hair repeatedly, it can scar the follicle and that’s when you get patchy hair growth and loss of hair growth. Some guys are getting hair transplants to their beard. If you want nice beard distribution, you need to release those trapped hairs. This brush releases 85% of trapped hairs.”
Smooth Moves
“It’s dual purpose so you can use it as a deep cleanser and preparation for a shave. It partners nicely with the pre-shave gel to provide a better glide and smoother shave. The more you exfoliate, the better results you get.”