Why It’s a Bad Idea to Shave Your Balls With an Electric Razor

So you've decided it's time to shave your balls. You head to your medicine cabinet and pull out your electric razor to do the deed.

All of a sudden, it occurs to you– is it a bad idea to shave my balls with my regular old electric razor?

The answer is: yes, it probably is. Not only is your electric razor not specifically designed to reach weird nooks and crannies, nor deal with such a sensitive area, but it's also really not a good idea to use the same razor on your balls as you do your face.

These are only some of the reasons why you should shy away from using an electric razor below the belt. Stick with us to learn everything you need to know about the ins and outs of getting a fresh, injury-free shave.

Why You Don't Want to Use an Electric Razor to Shave Your Balls

You know the importance of choosing the right tool for the job, no matter what you're working on. This is particularly true when talking about shaving your balls, as the consequences of using whatever you have lying around can be horrendous.

We're not trying to freak you out, but you really don't want to use the electric razor you use for your face below the belt.

The first reason this is the case is that your testicles are simply way more sensitive than your face. Beyond that, the hair "down there" has a different texture.

The second reason is that an electric razor is sharp, sharp, sharp, and there's nothing wrong with that when you're shaving off your beard. However, the loose, sensitive skin on your balls can easily get cut when you use one of these tools in your groin area.

If you think we're being overdramatic, it's worth knowing that a little more than one in four people (both men and women) that shave their public hair end up injuring themselves in one way or another. For men specifically, the injury rate is about 24%.

What were the most common types of injuries, you ask?

Lacerations make up a whopping 61% of the injuries associated with pubic grooming, with burns and rashes in the second and third spots at 23% and 12%.

Thirdly, electric razors really aren't designed to work well in such a small area– they tend to be pretty big. It ends up being way too hard to remove all of the hair and get into all of the nooks and crannies. This means that you're left with an unfinished job or, more likely, you'll likely end up cutting yourself trying to maneuver your much-too-large tool into a difficult-to-reach spot.

Related to the previous point, these razors weren't designed with your pubic area in mind. Beyond the fact that this makes them an imperfect tool for the job, you'll want to think about whether you feel comfortable using the same razor to shave your pubes as you do to shave your face.

So, How Should I Shave My Balls?

These days, "man-scapers" have tons of options to choose from when it comes to specialty razors. All of the above doesn't necessarily mean that an electrically-powered razor can't be a part of your hair-removal routine. It does mean, though, that you should probably invest in a razor specifically designed for this purpose.

Not only will this ensure that the tool is small enough to reach the areas you're trying to shave, but it also means that you won't ever have to use the same razor on your face and balls again.

If you want to shave your balls as close to the skin as possible, it's best to use a specialty manscaping electric razor to trim the hairs first before using a safety razor.

Even though a safety razor has "safety" right in the name, this doesn't mean you can start going at it without a plan of action. You can absolutely cut yourself with a safety razor, and it's a good idea to practice with one on a different, less sensitive part of your body to get a feel for how they work.

However, lots of guys have decided that simply trimming their hair with a razor without taking the extra step of going all the way down to the skin is the best possible option.

If you've been trying to keep your nether regions smooth and clean but you keep ending up with razor bumps, check out this recent post full of tips about how to avoid razor bumps while shaving your balls.

Is It Worth Shaving My Pubes?

Before you start shopping for the perfect tools to shave your balls and groin area, it's worth stepping back and asking whether this is really something you want to do in the first place. There are advantages and disadvantages, plus everyone's personal preferences.

Let's dig through some of the most notable pros and cons to help you decide whether shaving is really worth the effort.

Pros

First things first, let's talk about all of the great things about manscaping. There are a lot of compelling reasons why this could be a good choice, and you might find that you are happy to dedicate a bit of your personal care routine to keeping things smooth and hair-free.

Here are some of the advantages of shaving your pubes:

• It can help your groin look cleaner and more inviting
• It can reduce the sweaty feeling in your crotch region
• It can boost your confidence
• Many people argue that it's more hygienic
• Some women prefer a shaved look
• It can help reduce body odor
• It can feel more comfortable
• Shaving has become something of a social norm

If you're shaving because you believe that it's what most women prefer, check out our post on whether or not women like body hair. One survey from Men's Journal found that 73% of the women they polled actually like body hair on men, while 27% prefer men to be hairless. In this survey, though, one of the most common themes was that women tend to like some hair but also appreciate some moderation.

It appears that more important than body hair removal in the eyes of women is men being clean and odor free. With a high-quality body primer and some all-natural body powder, you'll find that you'll spend the whole day and night smelling fresh and clean.

Cons

Before you run to the bathroom and start shaving, though, stick with us while we look at the potential downsides of shaving.

Some of these include:

• The potential for developing razor burn
• The feeling of itchiness as your hair starts to grow back
• The risk it poses for nearby sensitive skin
• It can be time-consuming
• It can make you feel like a child when you go with a full shave
• The risk of cutting yourself or otherwise injuring yourself is real
• It usually means that you're going to shave body hair elsewhere on your body, which adds to the length of time you spend shaving
• Pubic hair actually serves a number of useful purposes, including reducing friction, protecting from bacteria and other pathogens, and more
• Despite public conception about public hair, it isn't actually unhygienic
• Buying tools, creams, oils, and other gear is an investment

Are you dealing with the impossibly uncomfortable sensation of itchy balls? Check out these eight reasons why you might be dealing with irritation down there, along with solutions.

Trimming Vs. Shaving: The Great Debate

If you're on the fence about whether or not you want to shave, you might consider whether you want to go with a full shave or a simple trim of your pubic hair.

Unless you are absolutely committed to keeping your balls and groin impossibly smooth, you might find that trimming your balls gives you most of the benefits of shaving without the same risks.

Here are some of the advantages of giving your pubes a trim rather than a full shave:

• Less chance of razor bumps: There's a much lower risk of ingrown hairs or razor bumps from trimming than there is from shaving. That being said, your hair can still end up growing back into the skin if you trim it, and the shorter you trim it, the greater chance you'll develop razor bumps.
• No razor burn: You don't have to worry about the irritation and redness that can occur from a razor touching your skin when you just give it a trim rather than a full shave.
• Less itching: No matter how refreshing and smooth you feel after a close shave, things typically start to get itchy as soon as the hair starts to grow back. For many people, this sensation starts occurring all too soon. This is greatly reduced when you trim instead of shave.
• No cuts: One of the biggest and most reasonable fears associated with shaving is cutting your balls. The skin down there is loose and unruly, meaning that it's easy for the razor to get caught on a piece of skin and cut you. With a nice trim, you can rest assured that you won't need to make an emergency room visit.

How to Shave Your Balls the Right Way

So, how can you shave your balls in a way that won't result in injury, irritation, or other issues?

There are a number of steps you'll want to take to make sure the experience is pleasant and not disastrous.

1. Gather the Right Tools

Hopefully, at this point, you understand just how sensitive and delicate the skin down there is.

You'll want an electric razor that is specially made to deal with below-the-belt grooming to trim the hair and a safety razor if you want a super smooth shave.

You may also want some mens care products, like a shower primer or a powder. 

2. Carefully Trim Your Hair

Before you start trying to get a smooth shave, you'll want to trim the hair (not shave) with the aforementioned electric razor; one that is designed for your sensitive regions.

You'll want to do this gently– make sure you are pulling your skin taut with one hand to ensure that you don't get cut. As you trim the hair, make sure that you aren't touching the skin.

3. Take a Warm Bath or Shower

Now that you've trimmed the hair - take a warm bath or a shower to clean your pores and soften the stubble that's left over. Warming up the area can also help relax your balls, making them easier to access and move around while shaving.

Make sure the water isn't so hot that you're burning your skin but warm enough that your balls relax rather than retreat.

4. Apply the Right Product

Everyone is different, and you might find that you have a preference when it comes to shaving cream, gel, or oil. Try to find one specifically formulated for sensitive skin with natural rather than synthetic ingredients.

5. Get the Job Done

Now, it's finally time to shave. Make sure you practice with your safety razor somewhere else on your body to get a feel for how it works if you've never used one before.

You'll want to stand near a sturdy stool or the tub with one leg propped up as needed to gain the best access. While you're shaving, you should always have one hand pulling the skin taut. Shave in the direction the hair grows rather than against it, and use only gentle pressure and slow strokes.

After you've saved, rinse the area with warm water and pat it dry gently.

6. Aftercare

You made it! Congrats. Your hard work isn't done yet, though– a little bit of aftercare can go a long way when it comes to preventing bumps and irritation. Consider finding a gentle oil or balm with ingredients like aloe vera to help soothe the skin.

As always, it's a good idea to try the product out on another part of your body first to make sure that you don't have an adverse reaction to it.

Are You Taking Your Man Care Routine to the Next Level?

Whether you're going to shave your balls, trim your hair, or leave things au naturel, the most important thing is that you give your nether regions the proper attention when it comes to hygiene.

Keeping your balls fresh is a project you'll want to attack from several angles– choose underwear that's breathable and wicks moisture away, take regular showers, and wear clothes that keep you cool, to name a few.

However, many of us struggle with sweaty, smelly pubic areas despite our diligent attention to personal hygiene. That's where Chassis premium body powders come in.

Made with premium, all-natural ingredients, our body powder will help keep you fresh-smelling, dry, and comfortable all day. Specially designed to get rid of moisture and odor, this amazing stuff will also help prevent the excruciating experience of chafing skin.

Our entire line of man care products is free from talc, aluminum, and parabens, meaning you don't have to worry that your hygiene products have gross hidden ingredients. If you're ready to upgrade your morning routine, take a look at our online store to see our full product line.