The first commercial electric razors appeared on the market during the late 1920s and early 1930s as part of an overall fascination with electrifiedproducts. Colonel Jacob Schick is generally credited with designing the prototype for what he would call an electric 'dry shaver'. While recuperating from an accident in a remote camp, Schick discovered that shaving with a traditional straight edge was often difficult. He spent many years developing an electric shaving unit which would duplicate the cutting power of a razor blade without the need for creams or lubricating oils. His first efforts were not particularly promising- they required the user to use both hands to control both the electric motor and the flexible cutting head. In the late 1920s, Schick used the financial capital from his straight razor company to market a new electric shaver which could be operated with one hand and required no additional lubrication. In 1931, the first Schick electric shaver was marketed and a modern shaving industry was born.
Today's electric shavers bear little resemblance to the first Schick model, but many of the same principles are used. There are actually two common styles in use today- the triple-headed rotary shaver and the straight foil shaver. Both utilize a small electric motor and a circuit board to generate the rpms necessary for a safe shaving experience. This motor is often powered by a rechargeable battery and/or a detachable 110 volt power cord. Between shaves most units can be recharged and stored. Electric shavers used in European countries may need an adapter to handle the higher standard current.
In order to understand how an electric shaver works, it may help to understand how facial hair reacts to the shaving process. Individual hair follicles located below the skin's surface continually push a shaft of protein through pores in the surface of the face. Some hairs may be allowed to grow, resulting in a beard or mustache or sideburns. Other hairs may need to be trimmed off at skin level to maintain a smooth and clean appearance. Traditional straight razors actually act like exfoliants as they slice through the hairs and top layer of facial skin. Individual hairs are temporarily lifted above the surface of the skin by either one of a set of twin blades or by the swiping action of the blade holder. When the hair is released, it slides back under the skin layer and the result is a smooth layer of skin without visible hairs. The hair follicles are not destroyed, but the hairs themselves have been cut below the visible skin surface. It may take several hours or days for new facial hairs to reappear, depending on the individual.
Electric razors do not require additional lubricants such as shaving cream, and do not use razor-sharp blades directly against the skin. Instead, they rely on a principal similar to a barber's scissors. One element (called a foil) captures and holds individual hairs while a sharpened blade assembly (called a cutter)slides against the foil and slices off the trapped hairs.
In a rotary shaver, the three foils are suspended by springs in order to match the contours of the user's face. As the shaving unit moves across the beard area, the skin is slightly rolled to lift the hair from below the surface. The foils cover three spinning wheels with small blades on their outer edges. The hair enters the foil through the mesh and the rotary cutter quickly snips it off at the back side of the foil. The cut hairs fall into the hollow portions of the shaver and the skin falls back into place.
A straight foil razor only uses one set of cutters instead of three, and the foil itself is usually much thinner. Foils are generally made from smooth metals such as stainless steel, platinum or titanium. The idea is to create a mesh foil as thin as possible in order for the cutters to reach close to the skin's surface. The thinner the metal standing between the cutter and the face, the closer the shave should be. In a straight foil shaver, the foil allows hair to enter through tiny openings and a series of cutters vibrate rapidly against the back surface of the foil. The blades essentially grind off the hair until it can no longer penetrate the protective foil. Slight pressure on the face forces the hairs to rise from below the surface, leading to a close shave.
Some manufacturers recommend the use of a beard preparation product (such as Lectric Shave) for better results with an electric razor. Because individual hairs may lie flat against the skin, they may not be forced into the cutters through the foil. A preshave lotion will temporarily toughen the hairs and pull the skin taut for maximum exposure. Once the astringent properties have dissipated, the skin returns to normal and the cut hairs should disappear below the beard line.
Electric razors are often seen as safer than traditional straight blades because the skin itself is rarely in contact with the sharp cutters. This is also why some users don't believe an electric shaver provides the same level of closeness as a blade. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Electric shavers will not provide close shaves during the first few weeks of usage. The user's skin must become accustomed to the unique demands of a foil/cutter combination. Over time, the beard line will grow in a way more suited for electric shaving. Electric shavers must also be maintained properly for maximum benefit. Rotary cutters may be brushed out periodically to remove a build-up of hair dust. Straight foil cutters may also be soaked in rubbing alcohol for general cleaning and brushed out. The body of an electric shaver should also be cleaned regularly. Foils are extremely delicate, so a few judicious bursts of canned air may help, but they should not be handled roughly. Any broken foil should be replaced immediately, since exposure to the cutters can be very dangerous during shaving. Some manufacturers suggest replacing the foils every 6 to 9 months, and replacing or resharpening the cutters every two years.
