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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2022 - 02 - 03 - ID#sjrc1t
9
Visually Impaired and trying to shave my face (self.Blind)
submitted by fireblooms
Hi all, I’m a visually impaired trans man and now that I’m getting to the point where I need to shave my face, I’m really struggling. I have extremely limited peripheral vision and am not able to shave the sides of my face safely. Are there any tips or tricks to doing this? Is this something you ask someone in your home to do for you? Is this something I could ask a barber to do? Any and all help very appreciated.
rkarl7777 11 points 1y ago
Get an electric razor? I have one that you can use with shaving cream and rinse off under the tap. It's great.
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fireblooms [OP] 4 points 1y ago
I use a manual razor now. But I think I might have to switch, at least until I get better at it. Thank you!
DHamlinMusic 11 points 1y ago
I go entirely by feel, using a manual razor with four to six blades and shaving gel. Areas I found to be troublesome are corner of the job by the ear and around the base of the nostrils, you want to go slow and not apply too much pressure to the razor as it will catch otherwise and using your free hand to sort of guide where you're moving the razor towards can help in my experience. It is really more practice makes perfect type of thing, but it's definitely doable.
fireblooms [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thank you! This is very helpful! I’ve got to practice not applying pressure hahaha
DHamlinMusic 7 points 1y ago
You can definitely get a shave and a barber shop or other similar business, but that's not likely feasible for routine shaving as it's going to get expensive fast. A good electric razor with a moving head is going to be less prone to nicks and cuts and might be easier than starting off trying to use a manual razor, it also depends on what you have used in the past if you have used anything in the past for shaving in other regards.
Iamheno 6 points 1y ago
1. Use a electric razor.
2. if you prefer standard razors make sure your face is clean and the whiskers are well lubricated. (Personal prefere is shaving in the shower after I wash my face).
3. Use a sharp blade that will cut the whiskers, not pull them out (again personal preference is a Safety razor blades are inexpensive and. easy to change)
4. Back to lubrication, get a high quality shave cream (Cremo Crème for me) & massage it into the beard.
5. Slow & even strokes with the blade on the skin, don’t move your hand side to side it’s how you’ll get cut.
6. Rinse the razor thoroughly between passes.
7. Wash your face again after you’ve shaved.
8. Apply a quality aftershave.
9. ‘Wince at the sting.
JMMSpartan91 5 points 1y ago
4 to 6 blades, shaving gel (I use Barbosol myself), and light movements.


Think you want to be moving razor next to your face not into your face as far as direction pressure.



I have some central vision but I've literally never used it to shave. Even when my vision was best and I first started shave (17 years ago) I never used vision anyways. Hell I close my eyes in shower most of time I'm shaving. Vision is only needed sometimes for styling a beard not for shaving all the hair off like in your case.



Hot water, lots of lather, very light pressure, don't push razor into your face it doesn't cut it closer it actually cuts your hair worse. Make moves next to your face not towards it. Take your time in beginning.
dunktheball 4 points 1y ago
I sometimes get close and look, but most of the time i do it almost all on feel and never have any problem.
WorldlyLingonberry40 4 points 1y ago
I learned how to shave by going to the barber. Sit back and enjoy the experience, and ask them to instruct you on what they are doing.
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WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
They do. Just take your own. They'll teach you how your facial hair grows and how to shave it.
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ukifrit 2 points 1y ago
I use an electric razor for it. Very light pressure and patience._ I usually feel with the other hand to help me do it right.
Mr5t1k 2 points 1y ago
I have to use my hand to feel if I’ve shaved all the hair from my face and neck. I try to repeat the same shave pattern every time to be consistent.
Nighthawk321 1 points 1y ago
Just created a video that may help :)

https://youtu.be/L5qQ6-zcaKk
Comacrin 1 points 1y ago
A professional shave by a barber is nice, but it would be akin to getting an electrician to switch out your lightbulb. I use Derby double edge safety blades in a Merkur Safety #25c razor with a silver tip badger hair shaving brush and mitchell’s wool fat shave soap. I’m completely blind. I do everything by touch. The general consensus is that the first pass is always done with the grain. after that and depending on how close/smooth you want your shave to be, the second and third passes are gradually to the side and against the grain (I like my shit baby but smooth). This all depends on your face and how your hair grows. I used to use Astra blades, but I noticed their quality was starting to suck and I was having issues with ingrown hairs and razor burn. That’s why I switched to Derby. A lot of the razors that use cartridges and four or five or six blades are more marketing than anything else. If the first blade cuts the hair, then what are the other four or five blades doing? They sell you the razor on the cheap because they’re gonna get you on the cartridge refills. You can buy safety razors in batches of 100 for cheap. Checking my last order of Derby blades, it looks like I paid nine dollars after taxes for 100. I shave every third day so that gives me almost a year‘s worth of shaves. It’s a super economic way to shave as well. I switch out my blade after two shaves. I could probably stretch it out more if I keep The blade sharp, but that’s what works for me. A lot of it is trial and error until you find what works for you when you are just starting out. Same thing for the razor. I like the Merkur because it has a longer handle. some are heavier, some are lighter, some have a butterfly opening mechanism etc. you say you’re visually impaired, you may want to give this guy’s YouTube channel a try. He’s all things shaving old school etc. http://www.youtube.com/c/geofatboy
Simply_Limeade 1 points 1y ago
Can't give you advice for face hair. But an epilator is great for catching those pesky hairs that are impossible to get. Go by feel, and it will yank any hair problems away.
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