By Godwin Ayesiga

ACCORDING to Johnson Agababyona, the general manager, New Age Group International, shaving beards is one of those important things that keep up his appearance. Like every man desiring to facelift his appearance, a neat and tidy beard does the trick.

Samuel Wasswa, the Janitor at Stromme Foundation says he shaves his beard after every four days. He adds that an electric razor works for him best though he gets some bumps sometimes. Although Wasswa shaves from home, most men go to salons.

What are razor bumps?
Razor bumps are small irritating swellings on the skin that develop after shaving.

What causes bumps?
Dr. Charles Simuya of Mulago Skin Clinic says bumps are caused by ingrown hairs. He adds that they are brought by improper shaving, dirty barber’s blades, dead skin in the hair follicles or coarse hair that grows in a tight curl pattern. He adds that bumps cause irritation and the development of pimples.

The tools for a good shave include; electric razors, razor blades and creams and lotions that get rid of the beards. Most men prefer using electric razors but you have to choose what works best for you as an individual and will give you a clean shave.

In case you shave from a salon, John Kutyamukama Lule, the Kampala City Council health inspector, gives tips on what to look out for in a standard salon.
He adds that you can ask your hairdresser if he/she has all these requirements before you can use the salon.

How to obtain a clean shave
Daniel Kyazze, a hairdresser at salon Klaaz on Kampala Road, says for one to have a comfortable and clean shave, his beard must be soft. The use of lotions like coochy shave may be as good as applying lukewarm water or taking a shower before shaving. Applying any of these softens the beard and makes it easier to shave.

“You need to have the best moisturizer to apply after shaving,” Kyazze advises “Shaving should be done using a sharp blade. A blunt blade will contribute to development of bumps and trimming should be done in the direction of growth of the beard and not against the growth because the beard becomes hard.”

Shaving should be done at regular intervals according to Kyazze. If you shave every after three days keep it that way. Missing a day or more is likely to cause razor bumps when you eventually shave.
Simuya, however, says deep shaving destroys the roots of the hair follicles and is more likely to cause bumps.
“At least one millimetre of the beard should be left after shaving,” he says. “Rinsing your face with clean warm water as soon as you finish shaving will help kill the bacteria that cause fungal infections,” he adds.

He advises that methylated spirit should not be used as an aftershave since its concentration is too low to kill the bacteria that cause fungal infections. He recommends the use of surgical spirit.
“However, if you do not have the time to shave, there are depilatories. These are creams like Veet that dissolve hair on the skin surface.”

Simuya says one must be careful when using them because they contain harsh chemicals, which can cause a sore rash. Different areas of the body have different sensitivity levels and so it should be observed that what is meant for the face should not be used on any other part of the body.

“Applying a cream or lotion after shaving is not dangerous unless one is allergic to that particular cream or lotion,” Simuya says. In case you get unhealthy conditions after shaving, visit your doctor for treatment and advice on what you should use with respect to your health.

If you are not comfortable shaving from a salon, you can do it from home. But remember not to engage in conversations or debates with your girl friend, wife or mother while shaving for you may end up peeling off half your face.

TIPS FOR A STANDARD SALON

A working sterilizer. The interior of the salon must be well lit.

Disinfectants like JIK

Enough towels and wrappers. They should be in bright colours like white.

Not less than five shaving machines of each type.

Clean washing facilities as the hair dressers have to wash their hands after working on each client before another one.

A clean working area, well ventilated, adequate lighting, smooth floor, adequate height and a waste bin, which has a cover.