How to get rid of a five o clock shadow?

Introduction:

In an era full of trends, men are choosing between beards and clean-shaven. Earlier, clean shaving was one of the morning rituals. People used to find it more decent and hygienic.

But now, most men prefer a long beard look. On the other hand, some are still comfortable with clean-shaven but annoyed with five o clock shadow. And want to know How to get rid of a five o clock shadow?

Before discussing the five o clock shadow, You must be aware of what does it exactly mean.
If you have ever been clean-shaven, you have already seen the early stubble after five to eight hours of shaving.

This early, dark stubble is known as a five o clock shadow.

People called it a five o clock shadow because men usually shave their faces in the morning before going to their office or somewhere. After a day, they find the same growth that looks like a shadow on the cheeks.

Some are comfortable with stubble. But some are annoyed as it is a compromise with the looks.

Why do five o clock shadows appear?

The appearance of the five o clock shadow is natural. You can not stop the growth of the beard, but you can delay the timing of the shadow.

The intensity of the shadow depends upon the facial growth of the one. If the facial growth is thick and fast, the shadow would be darker. If it is thin and slow, the shadow would be unrecognizable.

In some cases, the five o clock shadow appears darker than usual. The main reason behind darkening is improper skin care.

Skincare is not a cup of tea for most men. They do not experiment with their skin and can use the same product they used for a long time.

If you are one of those, who does not have time for skincare, add exfoliating to your habit. It will hardly take a few minutes but does miracles with your skin.

How to get rid of a five o clock shadow?

There are several ways to get rid of a five o clock shadow. Here, we will discuss the natural and alternative techniques to avoid a five o clock shadow.

I would recommend you go with the natural ways. They are easy and cheaper than the alternatives. Still, if you do not find them effective, you can opt for alternative options.

Natural ways:

1. Exfoliation: How to get rid of a five o clock shadow?

What is exfoliation?

        Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells and bacteria from the face or body. Also, it helps to avoid ingrown hair and pimples. It helps the skin to breathe and become alive.

In the market, there are several scrubs present according to skin type. Apply scrubs according to the skin type to avoid any skin issues.

Try to exfoliate your face daily during bathing. Otherwise, you will not find time for it. Before messing with the razors or shaving techniques, make exfoliation your daily habit. Trust me! after a few weeks you will notice the difference.

• Who should do it?

In my opinion, everybody should have the habit of exfoliation. It makes your skin alive and breathable. Also, it helps to open the clogged pores.

If you do not have time, exfoliate twice a week. But, everyday scrubbing would be better if you could do it. 

Still, if you get an allergy to your face or body by using products, you should try natural exfoliators. 

Oatmeal is the best natural exfoliator. You can daily use it with some oil or water or DIY your exfoliator. It will make a change in your skin without damage.

• How to exfoliate your face?

Take a fine scrub on your fingertips. Apply all over the face and gently massage in a circular direction. Avoid putting too much pressure on the skin as it may cause damage.

Avoid buying coarse scrubs. It will spoil the sebum levels.

• Benefits of getting rid of five o clock shadow

When you exfoliate, it clears the dead skin and bacteria. Also, it helps to avoid pimples and make your skin healthier.

When your skin is healthy, the razor can get closer to the skin’s surface. It helps in better shaving without bumping into pimples and dead skin. Ultimately, it helps to avoid the five o clock shadow.

   2. Proper shaving:

• What is the correct direction to shave?

When you shave in the uniform direction of your hair, you can save your look from ruining.

 It protects you from getting razor burns or ingrown hair. Shaving against growth can give you a clean shave but, it is not something you must follow if you have sensitive skin.

• Which is better: An electric shaver vs. a Manual razor?

Here, our purpose is to avoid a five o clock shadow. So, I will recommend a Manual razor over an electric shaver. There are many advantages and disadvantages of both. We will discuss it further to clarify why we should go with Razors.

If we compare razors and electric shavers, then undoubtedly razor gives a closer shave than an electric shaver. Our concern is to avoid the five o clock shadow, and using the razor is the only solution.

Razors are cheaper than electric shavers. I know we have to replace the razor after a time but, it is still affordable. On the other hand, we have to purchase electric shavers at high prices and still face shadows on the face.

On the one hand, razors have advantages but also have some disadvantages. Razors are very sharp and likely to cause cuts and nicks. If you are a new bee, electric shavers are safe to use without any cause like cuts and nicks.

Electric shavers are cleaner than razors. Razors easily get rusted once you leave them in moisture. Unlike razors, electric shavers blades are durable and rust-free.

Here, our focus is on How to get rid of five o clock shadow?

The answer is simple. Razors are more effective in closer shave as compared to electric shavers. Using razors to get rid of a five o clock shadow would be the best option.

Points to remember before buying a razor.

Before buying ten razors of cheap quality, buy a razor of good quality. We are not saying the expensive ones are the best but check a few points before purchasing a good razor.

1. Buy a razor with multiple blades. It will give a closer shave than the normal one. Also, it will provide a smooth finish for a long-lasting look.
2. Buy a razor with a lubricating strip. It helps to avoid cuts. The Lubrication strip gives water-soluble lubricants to the skin. Also, the blades glide over your skin more easily. The strip fades when you are not getting your desired shave.

What are the things you should use to avoid a five o clock shadow?

Before getting that look, you must invest in some shaving accessories. These accessories will help you to follow a perfect regime.

1. A high-quality safety razor with multiple blades
2. Shaving towel
3. Dedicated shaving cream and brush
4. Alcohol-free aftershave
5. Pre-Shave Oil
6. Moisturiser

Proper shaving steps you must follow to get rid of five o clock shadow.

Step 1. Hydrate:

Hydration is a must step towards healthy skin. It makes the skin soft and also helps to minimize nicks, cuts, and irritation during shaving.

We recommend shaving after or during the shower. It helps the razor to glide easily. If you have no time, soak a towel with warm water and pat it on your face. It works similarly.

Use mild face wash to clean oil, dirt, and dead skin. You can also use beard wash to maintain hydration.

You can try CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

It is a gentle cleanser with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help hydrate skin without removing moisture. Also, it helps to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil provides 24-hour hydration and leaves a moisturized, non-greasy feel.

 Step 2. Apply Shaving Cream:

Take shaving cream or foam and spread it all over your face with the help of the brush for a smooth, comfortable shave. Spread evenly to avoid cuts.

You can try Gillette Series Moisturizing Shave Gel or Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Foam if you a new bee. 

Step 3. Check the Blades:

Before using the same blade, do not forget to check if the lubrication strip is faded or blades have rusted. If you notice any of the two, change the cartilage to avoid infection and cuts.

Step 4. Shave With Gentle Strokes:

Stretch your skin before shaving and apply a gentle stroke. It helps to shave closer and avoid cuts and nicks.

Step 6. Rinse Your Blades Often:

Cleaning is a must if you are dealing with the skin. If you are reusing the blades, do not forget to rinse them with water to remove the foam. After rinsing, dry it with the help of cloth to avoid rusting.

Follow these two steps if you want to use the blades for a longer time. 

Step 5: The direction:

There is always a discussion over the direction. In my opinion, one must shave with the direction of the grain.

It protects you from getting razor burns or ingrown hair. Shaving against growth can give you a clean shave but, it is not something you must follow if you have sensitive skin.

If you have normal skin, the razor-like ProGlide Shield will help you shave comfortably.

Step 7. Use a trimmer to define sideburns:

Use the Trimmer to get those hard-to-reach areas like under your nose and to define your sideburns.

Philips Norelco OneBlade Face + Body Hybrid Electric Trimmer and Shaver is a precise trimmer you can use to define sideburns.

Step 8. Apply Moisturizer or Aftershave:

After shaving, apply aftershave to avoid burns and to get a comfortable look. Use alcohol-free aftershave. It helps to reduce a five o clock shadow.

Nivea for Men After Shave Soothing Balm is an alcohol-free aftershave solution you can try.

Alternative ways:

Beard waxing:

Beard waxing is a technique in which a thin layer of wax goes on in the direction of the hair growth where you want to remove the hair.

The small wax strips are glued and pulled on the opposite side of the hair. Then they wipe the area with warm water to remove the excess wax.

Beard waxing can be an effective way to get rid of five o clock shadows but, it is the most painful option to consider.

Also, you need an expert to do it. If you pull the hair in the wrong direction, it can cause serious injury.

We never recommend beard waxing because it is painful, risky, and can cause your skin to swell and loosen after a few sessions.

There is no guarantee that you can reduce your five o clock shadow after waxing.

2. Laser treatment:

You may have the opportunity to remove the hair permanently using laser treatment. It is expensive but gives long-lasting results.

Before laser treatment, make sure you have made up your mind to remove them permanently. As stubble on men is attractive and removing them forever can be regrettable at some point.

This content is accurate and true to the best of our knowledge and is not a substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Wrap up: How to get rid of five o clock shadow?

Five o clock shadow is a stubble that you notice every morning. Sometimes it is darker than usual, depending on growth, and improper skincare.

There are two ways to get rid of it, natural and alternative. I recommend a natural way that includes exfoliation and proper shaving using Razors.

Alternatives include waxing and laser treatment which is expensive and painful.

5′ o clock shadow is quite natural and looks normal.

It is up to you if you want to remove it or take it as a beauty mark. Try to go with the natural way before opting for the alternate. 

FAQs: How to get rid of five o clock shadow?

kayden

Kayden is an entrepreneur, writer, hairstylist working in a professional salon. He specializes in men’s grooming. He loves to blog about beards, hairstyles, and skincare.