Reasons to Switch to Reusable Safety Razors
As good as it is to be natural, most of us are not keen on sprouting hair from legs, underarms, bikini lines and even your face! But the plastic razor industry is causing huge harm to the planet, with landfills packed with billions of disposable razors (and blades), all sold in plastic packaging.
There is also controversy over the ‘pink tax’. In a nutshell, those pink disposable razors you see on sale for women, are the exact replicas of the same razors for men, but are priced higher. Why?
This post covers the best brands of reusable safety razors (and how to use them), vegan-friendly shaving brushes and soaps, plus some natural hair removal methods, if you prefer not to shave.
If you use an electric razor, then invest in one from an ethical brand (many major players like Braun are owned by animal-testing parent brands).
Do not shave on open wounds, cold sores, infections, eczema or during antibiotic treatment.
The Benefits of Reusable Safety Razors
The average reusable razor costs £20, but then you only have to buy replacement blades, so it soon pays for itself. You do have to use them differently. You lather up your face with soap or shaving gel, then let the weight of the razor do the work. They give a much better shave over disposable razors, which just ‘scrap your skin’.
Pop Blades in a Blade Bank
One blade should last you a few shaves with a reusable razor. A blade bank only costs a few pounds, and is basically an upgraded version of making a slit in a tin can, and sealing it with adhesive paper tape, before recycling when full.
This razor blade disposal tin is made from strong tin plated steel, designed to enclose used blades to store up to 100 blades safely. It should take a year to fill, and presents the hazard of sharp blades cutting refuse workers, or birds/wildlife at landfills.
If you don’t have a blade bank, send used blades in a prepaid (free) envelope to Gillette (who will recycle them on).
How to Use a Reusable Razor
Insert stainless steel blades (each one lasts around 10 shaves).
- Lather with soap and vegan shaving brush (below).
- Shave in the direction of hair growth, to avoid irritation.
- Allow the weight of the razor to do the work, rocking the blade against the skin at a 30-degree angle, until it lifts the hair.
- Use minimal pressure to hold the razor, let it glide in slow short strokes.
- Pat skin dry with a soft clean cloth.
- Take apart your razor and place the blade in the protector, wiping your razor with a dry towel, to prevent it getting rusty.
Where to Buy Good Reusable Razors
The two main brands are:
Shoreline Shaving was set up by two friends in northeast England, concerned about local ocean pollution. It offers beautiful coloured reusable safety razors, along with blade banks and shaving stands, and even kits with palm-oil-free shaving soap and vegan shaving brushes.
The handles are inspired by coastal colours (each purchase helps ocean clean-up projects, and the grips ensure razors won’t slip in the shower.
Jungle Culture offers good quality safety razors made from stainless steel or bamboo, all with closed teeth, textured grips and extra-long handles, all sold in zero waste packaging.
The site also sells razor blade disposal tins, refill blades and shaving sets (with magnetic gift boxes, and cotton/jute travel bags.)
The double-edged blade fits snugly into most reusable handles, giving full control over your shave. This design helps reduce nicks and irritation, making them a smart choice for sensitive skin.
Use with a Vegan Shaving Brush
Shoreline Shaving’s plastic-free vegan shaving brush uses sisal bristles, as a kinder alternative to animal hair. It creates a strong soapy lather, and also exfoliates and prepares the skin for shaving, helping to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.
Use with their palm-oil-free shaving soaps.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/breastfeeding and affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies (keep essential oils and cocoa butter away from pets).
A Palm-Oil Free Shaving Bar from Yorkshire
Alter/native by Suma Shaving Bar is vegan and free from palm oil, made with natural ingredients. Then packed in recycled paper, made with olive and coconut oil with essential oils.
Suma’s travel soap tin is ideal for when you’re on the go, to help your shaving bar to last longer and keep it dry.
Dermaplaners: Smooth Skin Without the Fuss
Using a blade to scrape skin off your face may sound alarming, but if done properly with good tools, it’s a good way to scrape off dead skin and ‘fuzzy hairs’ without trips to the beautician or leaving stubble.
Although it should not be used on active acne, eczema or sensitive skin), dermaplaning is one of the best ways to safely soften the look of shallow acne scars, by removing the top layer of skin. Which is far safer than a harsh acid peel!
Shoreline Shaving’s Dermaplaners are used to exfoliate skin on the face, and remove ‘peach fuzz’ like on upper lips. The set includes a silicone blade cover and three replacement blades (also in rose gold). Then just buy refill blades.
Only use the tool every four weeks or so. Hold at a 45-degree angle, then use short gentle strokes to shave in downward motions. Be extra cautious around the nose and upper lip. Clean with rubbing alcohol.
Natural Beard Care
If you prefer to keep your whiskers (and many men do due to personal choice, less irritation or religious beliefs), then treat yourself to this wooden beard comb in a vegan leather pouch.
A good beard comb can guide unruly facial hair, and push it in the right direction, which helps to prevent ingrown hairs. Use a gentle shampoo to cleanse your beard, two or three times a week. Just combing your beard should be enough to distribute natural oils, and keep it healthy.
Avoid essential oils for affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
What are UPL Hair Removal Devices?
Ulike IPL Device (FDA/UKCA cleared) is a one-time investment of around £300, trusted by over 6 million people to safely and painlessly remove body hair, as a home alternative to laser removal, which runs into tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.
The company offers a Community Heroines 10% discount for UK health workers, first responders, teacher and military personnel.
Who Should Not Use IPL Hair Removal?
IPL works by targeting melanin (pigment) in the skin, so only works for people with fair skin and dark hair. It won’t work for people with blonde or red hair, and should be avoided for people with dark skin (due to melanin, could cause blisters and burns).
Do not use this device near children or pets.
Also avoid IPL Hair Removal:
- When pregnant or breastfeeding
- When menstruating
- On sunburned skin
- For skin allergies or eczema
- For open wounds & scars
- On or near the eyes
- On tattoos
- On genital areas
- For photosensitive or epilepsy
- If you have cancer or hemangioma (non-cancer growths)
- On plastic prosthetics
For polycystic ovary syndrome, talk to your GP as sometimes this device could trigger more hair growth.
How Does IPL Hair Removal Work?
Light is absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle. This is converted into heat (Ulike includes ice-cooling technology to keep things comfortable), which results in thinner regrowth, and eventually stops hair growth altogether.
Skin is sensitive after use, so keep out of the sun (most sun protection creams contain pet-toxic zinc or titanium oxide, so wash these off, before letting animal friends kiss or lick you!)
How to Use Ulike IPL Device
The Air3 device should be adequate for most people.
- Shave and dry the targeted areas.
- Put on the safety goggles.
- Power the device, then press to the skin.
- Treat sensitive areas (bikini line, inner thighs, buttocks) at lowest power level.
How Long to See Results?
The device gives 93% hair reduction in 4 weeks, based on three treatments a week. This should give up to 12 months of smooth skin.
Once most of your hair has disappeared, you can then just use every fortnight or monthly, for maintenance. Average treatment times are:
- Legs (7 minutes)
- Arms (2 minutes)
- Armpits (2 minutes)
- Bikini line (1 minute)
- Face (30 seconds)
Genuine Customer Reviews
Just a few weeks and already a big difference. And it’s painless.
After 3 weeks the hair on my bikini line has thinned down. The hair on my stomach has already completely disappeared.
What was only possible in a clinic a few years ago, has become an effective and safe option for patients to undertake, in the privacy of their own home. Dr David Lim (dermatologist)
