Performing facial shaving

Facial shaving is often a significant aspect of a man’s personal hygiene routine and can improve both his comfort and self-esteem. It can be performed during or following washing. In assessing a client’s needs the following should be considered:

1 The frequency of shaving. Clients without beards usually shave daily but clients with moustaches and beards should not be ignored, as they also require daily grooming. It is important to assess the religious and cultural beliefs of clients in relation to the management of body hair to avoid causing offence.
2 The client’s ability to manipulate a razor.
3 The client’s safety in handling equipment and performing facial shaving, for example an electric razor may be preferable if the client is unstable.
4 The condition of the client’s skin, for example raised areas, pimples, rashes.
5 Wet shaving is not recommended for clients with a bleeding disorder, epilepsy or neuromuscular disorder such as Parkinson’s disease as the risk of injury is significantly increased.

Some medications and disorders can induce the growth of facial hair in women. This clearly needs addressing tactfully and diplomatically.

The equipment usually consists of apron, mirror, electric razor with clean cutting heads (preferably client’s own) and/or disposable razor, towel for protection, shaving cream or soap (if wet shaving), aftershave lotion, skin conditioner (if desired), bowl and wipes/face flannel. The procedures and rationales for facial shaving are given below. To reduce the likelihood of injury these procedures should only be undertaken by a skilled person.

Procedure	Rationale
Explain the procedure to the client	To gain consent and co-operation
Wash hands	Infection control
Put on apron	Nurse protection
Assist client in assembling equipment, allowing for individual preferences and nuances	Client control and independence
Assist the client into a sitting position, and provide privacy	Ensures easy access and promotes dignity
Protect client’s upper chest and shoulders with towel	Reduces laundering
Ensure good lighting	Promotes safety
Encourage client to shave himself if possible	Promotes independence
Client’s own equipment should be used. Communal razors and shaving brushes should not be used	Reduces risk of cross-infection
If the nurse is performing the shave ask the client about individual preferences, e.g. which area of the face he shaves first	Promotes client involvement in decisionmaking and ensures individual’s needs are met
Prepare warm water in bowl (approx. 30oC). Assist/encourage client to wash face with warm water and wipes/face flannel	Warm cloth helps soften the skin and prevents pulling
If assisting apply shaving cream and/or soap ensuring a good lather over face, chin, under nose, neck	Encourages the hairs to stand on end for ease of removal and reduces skin irritation
Hold razor in dominant hand and at a 45o angle to the skin, use short, firm strokes in the direction of hair growth, keeping the skin taut with the other hand (if client has tendency to bleed, nurse should wear disposable gloves or better still discourage wet shaving)	Prevents razor cuts and discomfort during shaving
Allow client to look in the mirror to monitor progress. While performing shave suggest that the client raise a hand if it becomes uncomfortable at any time or if they wish to cough	Promotes client participation and involvement. To prevent injury
Rinse razor in bowl of warm water at frequent intervals. The nurse may need to change the razor and/or apply more lather	Maintains a clean-cutting razor blade
Repeat the above until all facial hair is removed and the client is satisfied. Rinse the face thoroughly, ensuring all soap and hair has been removed	Prevents accumulation of shaving cream, which can cause drying
Gently pat the skin dry using the face towel	Moisture may cause sore skin
Apply aftershave lotion/skin conditioner if required. Allow client to look in mirror to see if they are satisfied with their personal appearance	Stimulates/lubricates the skin. Promotes self-image/esteem
Remove all equipment. Leave client comfortable and the environment dry. Return client’s toiletries. Discard disposable razor in sharps box	Safety
Remove gloves and apron, and wash hands	To prevent cross-infection
Record in nursing records as part of maintaining personal hygiene and report any anomalies	Legal requirement

Note that if the client is using an electric shaver, the skin should be kept dry and the shaver should be cleaned immediately following use.