Shaving
Performed with a safety or electric razor, shaving is part of the male patient’s usual daily care. Besides reducing bacterial growth on the face, shaving promotes patient comfort by removing whiskers that can itch and irritate the skin and produce an unkempt appearance. Because nicks and cuts occur more frequently with a safety razor, a patient with a clotting disorder or on anticoagulant therapy should be shaved with an electric razor. Shaving may be contraindicated in the patient with a facial skin disorder or wound.
Equipment
For A Safety Razor
Shaving kit containing a razor and soap container ▪ gloves ▪ soap or shaving cream ▪ bath towel ▪ washcloth ▪ basin ▪ Optional: aftershave lotion, talcum powder.
For an Electric Razor
Electric razor ▪ bath towel ▪ gloves ▪ Optional: preshave and aftershave lotions, mirror, grounded three-pronged plug.
Preparation of Equipment
With a safety razor, make sure the blade is sharp, clean, even, and rust-free. If necessary, insert a new blade securely into the razor. A razor may be used more than once, but only for the same patient. If the patient is bedridden, gather the equipment on the bedside stand or overbed table; if he’s ambulatory, gather it at the sink. When the patient is ready to shave, fill the basin or sink with warm water.
If you’re using an electric razor, check its cord for fraying or other damage that could create an electrical hazard. If the razor isn’t double-insulated or battery operated, use a grounded three-pronged plug. Examine the razor head for sharp edges and dirt. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, if available. Gather the equipment at the bedside.
Implementation
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.4
Tell the patient that you’re going to shave him, and provide privacy. Ask him to assist you as much as possible to promote his independence.
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