The marketing of razors have changed drastically over the years. Today most of us use disposable razors and safety razors. These razors come in price ranges from $1.99 for 10 plastic-handled disposable razors to up to $70.00 for a 5-bladed razor blade. These razors are economical, and we accept that after a couple of months, we’ll need to replace them. Many have asked whether razors that haven’t been used are still good to shave with.
So, do razor blades expire if left unused? The answer depends on whether the package of razors has been opened up and exposed to air, or it they are still sealed and unopened. If opened, the answer is yes, they will expire even though unused. However, sealed, unopened packages of razors will last for an infinite period of time and will be as good as new when finally opened. This is because razors exposed to the elements, specifically air and water, will begin to wear out quickly.
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Why Do Razor Blades Wear Out?
Contrary to popular belief, razor blades don’t wear out from usage all that much. Razor blades become rusty, due to a chemical process called oxidation, which is essentially the reaction of the metal of the blade with oxygen. Oxygen is found in both air and water.
Having more than one razor blade (now, manufacturers compete by making razor blades with up to six razor edges), oxidation affects each blade that is exposed to air and water. A package that is sealed undergoes no oxidation, so the blades can last indefinitely. But unused razors that have been opened will be exposed to air and will expire. They succumb to corrosion.
Razor blades are made with Martensite, chromium and carbon, all metals. Metal in the form of iron, steel or aluminum are inorganic substances, unlike food. Only organic products like fruits, vegetables, meats and dry grocery edible products like cereal have expiration dates listed on the label. It is more accurate to say that razor blades become dull due to oxidation.
How Can I Make My Razor Blades Last Longer?
Whenever water remains on razor blades after shaving, and until the next time you shave, oxygen, and the remnants of salt from the skin that made contact during shaving, results in the oxidation process and corrosion. These eat away at the razor, making it dull. The best way to prolong the life of your razor is to keep it dry between uses.
The best way to prolong razor life is as follows.
- Shake off excess water from the razor after shaving. If you have a blow dryer, you can dry off the blades with a blast of hot air for about 20 seconds. If you don’t, use a dry, soft cloth, but be careful – razor blades are sharp.
- Now that the razor is dry, dip the razor blades (not the handle), into either almond oil or mineral oil. These oils act as a sealant and will prevent air from coming into contact with the blades. Repeat this process after your next shave.
- To further prevent the razors from being exposed to air, place them in a plastic bag and store them in a cool and dry place. The bathroom becomes hot and humid from taking showers and baths, so do not store razors in the bathroom. If you have a closet for towels in the hallway, or even in the bedroom closet, store the razors there where it is cool and dry.
If you follow these steps, you will begin to notice that your razor will feel close to brand new against your skin. At some point, the elements will come into contact with razor blades, so these precautions won’t make the blades last forever. However, your blades will last up to many times longer than just leaving them out to dry in the bathroom. If you have sensitive skin or other skin conditions, a dermatologist will have the best recommendations for shaving cream.
What Other Steps Can I Take to Make My Razors Last Longer?
When you purchase shaving cream, look at the label. If it contains acids such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, these acids will wear down the blade, resulting in expired razor blades. Seek out shaving creams that either have a low acid content or which contain no acids at all.
I use a shampoo that contains argan oil. Once I tried it instead of shaving cream and found that I had a closer shave with the shampoo than I did with the shaving cream. Most hair conditioners, in fact, contain essential oils as well, and these oils soften the hairs on the face, neck and legs. I apply the shampoo and wait a full minute before shaving, and not only is my shave closer, but my razor blades don’t expire as quickly. When combined with the steps above (hair conditioner, shake off excess water, dipping blades in oil and packaging them in plastic and storing them outside the bathroom), my blades last much longer than they used to.
If you’re shaving a thick beard, or it’s been awhile since you last shaved, and even during routine shaving, stop and clean the hairs that accumulate under the blade. The best way to accomplish this is using a toothbrush that you don’t use for brushing and clean out between the blades thoroughly. This is important to do for two reasons. First, as you shave, the cut hairs build up and make the blade duller. This makes it necessary to use many more shaving strokes that you had when the razor was sharp at the start. The second reason is that additional shaving strokes that you’ll need to perform because the razor is full of hairs, will make the razor become dull prematurely until it has expired.
Can I Sharpen My Own Replacement Razor Blades?
Back in the old days, barbers sharpened straight razors using a leather belt made specifically for razor sharpening. Today, most of us don’t have a sharpening (or stropping) belt. But most of us have an old pair of blue jeans.
Here is the best way to sharpen razor blades using denim.
- Find a pair of old blue jeans. The cloth fibers in the jeans will work almost as well as an old stropping belt. It’s important to use a pair of jeans you don’t plan on wearing because the stropping process can fray the jeans.
- Pace the jeans on a flat and sturdy surface, like a table. Don’t use the bed or the couch because the jeans will push into the mattress or cushions and the stropping will be ineffective. The countertop of your bathroom sink will work just as well.
- Make sure the area is clear and the surface is even. Also make sure the surface is dry.
- Next, clean your razor blade. You can use dish soap, which is effective in removing any hairs or gunk that’s accumulated on the razor blade. Leave the razor in the warm, soapy solution anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, depending on how dirty the razor is. Swirl the razor around in the solution from time to time.
- Make sure the blade is completely dry. Shake off the solution in the sink. Then dry it further in a lint-free cloth, so fuzz doesn’t grab onto the blade edge.
- Run the razor along your jeans. Note that the razor blades face you pointing downward. You’ll want to reverse the blade in your hand, so you begin to “strop” the blades in the direction of the blades.
- Run it in this direction first, 20 times against one leg of the jeans. You don’t need to press hard, simply apply a little pressure and run the blade against the jean fabric.
- Next, reverse the direction of the blades and strop the blade over the jeans an additional 20 times.
Performing this exercise will hone the razor blade and make it sharp again. For normal growth hair on the face and neck, you should repeat this quick and easy procedure after every fifth shave. For thicker, coarser hair, it would be good to strop the blades against jeans after every third shave.
Disposable razors need to be replaced approximately three months after starting use. Using the procedures outlined here, razor blades will not expire as quickly, but will last much longer than by doing nothing but shaving and leaving the razor the dry in the air.
Which Disposable Razor Lasts the Longest?
If you’re looking for a razor cartridge that isn’t going to get dull super fast like you might see from other brands… I’ve been using Gillette’s blades for years and I’m not sure I’ll ever make the switch to another brand.
I use the Gillette Pro Fusion blades because they give me a razor sharp shave that doesn’t irritate my skin. I can use one cartridge for up to 6+ weeks which is really something incredible. I shave every day. Although, I do keep a short beard, shaving the cheeks and sensitive part of my neck is a breeze with these blades (my neck is very sensitive).
It’s a better bang for your buck to go with razors that last a long time, compared to skimping on razors, only to find out your face is covered in nicks and only lasts a couple shaves.