Secrets of the shower shave: Can you shave in the shower?

Reading time: 5 mins

A Philips OneBlade shaver sits on top of a striped towel, ready to be used for shaving in the shower.

The many different opinions on shaving in the shower can get confusing. Can you shave in the shower? And, even if you can, should you shave in the shower? Is it bad to shave in the shower, or is it better to shave in the shower than at the sink?

The short answer is that shaving in the shower has its upsides and downsides. We’re taking a look at the pros and cons of shower shaving. If you’re more interested in the alternatives, skip to the end for some thoughts on whether it’s better to shave before or after a shower.

The advantages of shaving in the shower

Is it better to shave in the shower? It has its advantages. Here are the pros of shaving in the shower:

Combining your shave with your shower can save you time. Washing and shaving don’t have to be separate parts of your routine.
A shower is going to get your hair thoroughly wet, obviously, and it’s a lot easier to cut wet hair. Heat also speeds up hair hydration,¹ so the hot, wet environment of the shower is great for easier shaving.
The shower will get your post-shave rinsing done for you.

The challenges of shaving in the shower

Shower shaving isn’t a magical solution to everyone’s shaving problems. Let’s take a look at the drawbacks.

For a start, you’ll need a waterproof shaver, like the Philips OneBlade. Manual safety razors aren’t going to break if they get wet, but, if your razor is electric, check in advance that it can be used in the shower. Shaving in the shower increases the chance of your hand slipping, so don't use a straight razor.

Using a mirror can be a real challenge when you're shower-shaving. Is your bathroom mirror in a position you can see from the shower? Even if it is, is it going to fog up the second you start showering? If you’re just going for a clean shave, you might be able to do it by feeling. If you’re doing anything fancier, though, you might end up hopping out of the shower every few seconds to check on your face, which defeats the shower shave’s efficiency. If you’re determined to shave in the shower, and you’ll need a mirror to do it, try looking into fog-resistant shower mirrors.

It can be tricky to keep a steady grip on your shaving equipment, too. If you’re shaving with wet hands, you’re multiplying your risk of sending your favourite shaver flying across the bathroom.

Another thing to bear in mind: the hair has to go somewhere. If it all goes down the plughole, there are going to be clogs. Get a hair catcher for your shower drain if you’re planning to shave in there.

Is it bad to shave in the shower? Absolutely not. Like a lot of things, it has both advantages and disadvantages. For a lot of people, the inconveniences outweigh the upsides, but in the end, the answer to the question ‘should you shave in the shower?’ is up to you.

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How do you shave in the shower?

You might be an expert at belting out your favourite anthems while you scrub away the day's stresses in the shower, but you've not crossed into the territory of shaving yet. So, how do you shave in the shower?

You’ll probably find a shower mirror useful, and a shower mat or shower stool can help keep you stable while you’re shaving. Get those set up if you’re using them.
Make sure there’s a hair trap over the drain to prevent clogs.
We don’t want to give step six away, but you might want to turn the water off for the shave itself. Turning the shower on every time you need to rinse your razor is overkill. If you have a cup or bowl of water in the shower with you, you can dunk the shaver in there as you go.
Grab your waterproof shaver and any shaving soap, foam or gel you’ll be using.
Shower for a couple of minutes to soften up your hair.
Lather up and get your shaving done. As the lather disappears quickly under running water, you might find it easier to turn off the water for this part.
Turn the water back on to wash away the lather and hairs. That’s all!

Should you shave before or after a shower?

If you’ve decided against the shower shaving option, you might be wondering about the other options available. Should you shave before or after the shower?

Shaving after a shower is common, and for good reason. Your facial hair should be clean before you shave it, and the shower will soften up your beard hairs, giving you an easier shave.²

There might be times you’ll want to shave before a shower, though. If you’re planning a dry shave and you don’t want to have to rush to dry off, for example, you might prefer a pre-shower shave. Shaving before you shower also means the shower will take care of rinsing off afterwards.

Don’t worry too much about whether it’s better to shave before or after a shower. There’s no one-size-fits-all right answer here. You’re the expert on your own needs, so all you have to do is choose the method that fits your lifestyle best!

¹ Deem and Rieger, ‘Observations on the Cutting of Beard Hair’, Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 27(12), December 1976

² Daniel Bennett, ‘Five steps to the perfect shave’, BBC Science Focus