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For years I've used an electric razor as recommended by my dermatologist. He advised that electric shavers are better for my sensitive skin because there's no chance for cuts, nicks and/or razor burn. He didn't recommend any particular type of electric razor so I initially used a foil razor, which worked fine – I stopped getting “pseudofolliculitis barbae” which is more commonly called ''razor bumps.'' More recently I started using rotary razors, like the Norelco SensoTouch, which has served me well over the past five years.

I've always found shaving with electric razors less satisfactory than when I first started shaving with Gillette blades. The Trac II came out when I was still young, and was much better than the traditional single blade razor. I used the Trac II for years and, as someone with a fairly light beard, I often only shaved every other day or so. That ended, of course, when I became a suite-and-tie wearing business employee.

However, as I got older, my sensitive skin became more of a problem – razor bumps and ingrown whiskers became a common irritation – and they went away when I shifted to electric shavers.

The problem with electric shavering – for me at least – was that it took longer. I had to move the razor over the same area multiple times in order to get rid of all the whiskers. With a blade, I generally had to pass over any area once. Often, after shaving before a date, my girlfriend or wife would be amused to see where I had missed visible whiskers. Yes, it is possible, with extra effort, to eliminate all visible whiskers with an electric shaver – but running a razor over my face multiple times was often irritating.

Ever since going electric, I would often still shave with a blade, especially if I wanted to look as good as possible. Then, recently, I discovered that Gillette had come up with a blade razor for guys with sensitive skin, called “SkinGuard”. I tried it and, having tried it, now use it more often than my Norelco. Why? Because, for me, it's faster and more thorough.

The single test that made me take it seriously was the use of my traditional aftershave, bay rum. When used in the past, I could always feel the various places on my face where there obviously had been tiny nicks and cuts. When used after my first shave with the SkinGuard blade, I experienced virtually none of the telltale tings from razor-nicks.

The longer term issue is, will I see razor bumps return? Only time will tell, but my experience so far has been pleasant enough that I'm just keeping my fingers crossed as I continue shaving with a blade.

#100daystooffload Day 10.