A scary part of going zero waste is not shopping with bulk bags, composting, or asking for takeout in my own containers, but it was switching to a safety razor (and menstrual cup, but more on that later).
YouTube videos depicted long, seemingly complicated shave routines requiring brushes, creams, and balms.
Forums spun gory tales of bloodthirsty blades, wreaking havoc on delicate skin.
Research yielded the unsatisfactory conclusion that reducing my environmental impact- according to the EPA, over two billion disposable razors end up in landfills each year would require learning to shave all over again.
It’s best to shave and dry the plastic-encased blade after each use. Most blades can last up to twelve months. If you’re more diligent, you could used them even longer! Still, that’s a lot of cartridges and shave gel containers in the trash.
When your passion for zero waste grows, you resolve to use up the last cartridges and switch to a safety razor.
Anticipate a sharp increase in nicks and cuts. Reading online, we realized that women were at a distinct disadvantage with safety razors, like shorter handles made shaving difficult, nearly impossible.
Here are some of the unfounded myths encountered to date.
* Note: “Myths” classification is based solely on own overwhelmingly positive experiences with safety razor shaving.
You Need Multiple Blades For A Close Shave NOT
Multiple blades catch and pull hairs, irritate your skin at some point.
Prone to clogging, disposable cartridges miss spots, slicing stubble only partway. A single blade cuts cleanly without the extra passes required of multi-blade cartridges, resulting in fewer razor bumps, burn, or ingrown hairs.
The smoothness of a shave is inversely related to the number of blades. I shave half as often with a safety razor.
Safety Razor Shaving Is NOT Time-Consuming Or Difficult
It’s the same as disposable razor shaving, only way easier!
I regret wasting the time reading guides on how to use safety razors when the differences are nominal. Curse you, internet.
- Lather up with a bar of soap.
- No need to use a brush.
- Shave as usual,
- Apply less pressure than with a disposable.
- Use the same olive oil or Aleppo soap we use in the shower, but some people use coconut soap, oatmeal soap, DIY shave creams… whatever.
It’s not too complicated.
Safety Razor Shaving Is NOT Expensive
- A Merkur long-handled safety razor was like $12 a few years back and I’m still on the first blade.
- Buy a pack of Kai double-edged blades for less than $0.60 per blade, until you realize you could sharpen yours indefinitely (go on a hunt for a vintage sharpener).
- Doesn’t a Venus razor cost like $14?
- Cartridges are twice as expensive, plus shave gel is $4 a can.
Safety razor shaving may require more of an upfront investment, but maintenance costs are significantly lower, according to a 2009 American Laser Center study estimating the average woman spends $191.40 per year shaving.
Once you set up, you can spend about $5 a year.
Safety Razors Are NOT More Dangerous
It can take months to nick yourself with a safety razor.
The infrequent cuts I get are minor compared to the chunks accidentally carved out with disposables.
The safety razor is also gentle on sensitive and delicate areas.
In short
Experience significant time and money savings, no learning curve, and a markedly smoother, longer-lasting shave after switching to a safety razor. Less shaving means less water used and less trash!
We could argue that not shaving at all is more environmentally friendly, and hairlessness is merely a normative cultural imperative.
However, it’s far too late for that. Not shaving makes you itchy. If you’re looking to switch, use up any disposables at home first Recommending a long-handled razor (you can even buy vintage) with a butterfly head for easy cleaning. Adjustable models are available, though you won’t miss that feature much.
Dry the blade afterward, storing it in a drawer or medicine cabinet. Some recommend keeping the blade in oil to prevent oxidation. Moisturize, as usual, apply deodorant, whatever you normally do.
Prefer waxing?