Few things are better than the feeling of freshly-shaved, smooth skin the first time you use your electric shaver. However, like many things in life, electric shavers have a certain life expectancy.
With repeated use, the foils, blades, and the shaver itself will become less up to the job, and you’ll need to replace them one day.
How long do electric shavers last? We will give you a detailed answer and some recommendations to keep your device in good condition for longer.
Electric Shaver
How Long Do Electric Shavers Last?
Typically, an electric razor should last around 35 to 7 years. However, higher-end shavers can give you up to 7 years of reliable service, whereas shabby, lower-end models are only good for 3 years.
The longevity of an electric shaver depends on different factors, including the quality of the material used, motor and battery, how frequently you shave, and care and maintenance.
If your budget permits, we recommend spending a bit more on purchasing your electric shaver.
A model from a reputable brand is made of high-grade material and equipped with advanced features to withstand impact and damage. These shavers are also backed by a good warranty so that you can buy and use them with more peace of mind.
Usually, a model from a reputable brand is made of high-grade, durable materials, and thus can withstand impact and damage better. These models often come with advanced shaving features, so you get more bangs for your buck.
How often you use your electric shaver also affects its longevity. For example, if you shave more frequently, the blades, foils, and the engine inside will show signs of wear and tear sooner.
The type of hair also plays a part in the lifespan of the blade and razor. If your hair is soft and sparse, the blades won’t have to work as hard as they would with coarse and thick hair.
In addition, you will get more use out of an electric shaver with proper care and maintenance. Cleaning, lubricating, handling, and storing all play a role in how long an electric shaver can last.
Neglecting all of these factors altogether, you’ll soon find yourself searching for a replacement.
Why Should You Replace The Foils And Blades?
No matter how razor-sharp your blades are, they will eventually dull with use, and the shaving experience will suffer.
Dull blades do not deliver you the same closeness as they used to, and you find yourself going over the same spot again to pick up missed hair. In addition, it causes extra stress and friction on your skin, resulting in irritation and ingrown hairs.
It is impossible to sharpen your blades, as you would with a straight razor, and your only option is to replace them. In addition, for the sake of a close shave, components of a shaving head of an electric razor are manufactured to high precision with pretty low tolerance.
Whether it is the oscillating inner blades of a foil shaver or cutting elements of a rotary unit, they all introduce friction and stress to the foil during the shave.
It causes the foils to warp or deform over time. The worst nightmare is that the sharp blades can corrode the foil and protrude outside to slice your skin.
Foils Of An Electric Shaver
When Should You Replace Your Blades?
Like the shaver, the longevity of blades and foils are also affected by various factors:
- The thickness and coarseness of facial hair
- The frequency of use
- The kind of shaving cream or gel you use
- The quality of the material used for making foils and blades
Although the general rule is to replace your razor blades every 12-18 months, your blades might get dull sooner or later. There are some telltale signs that your blades need changing.
If you notice any of these signs, get a new replacement as soon as possible:
- If the blades are yanking your whiskers instead of cutting them, or you need to give more strokes for the same area, you’d be better off with new blades.
- If you notice the shaver heats up more than usual, it can be a sign you need to replace the blades or the shaver altogether. The deformed cutting elements inside might cause excessive friction and heat, which can compromise the shaving performance and the device’s integrity.
- Once you finish shaving, if there is still stubble over the place, it means that your blades are so blunt that they need replacing.
- Also, you might need to use more force to get the desired closeness that you once did, which can lead to skin irritation later. Your damaged skin should be the last straw about keeping your dull blades.
Why Do You Have To Replace The Screen Of An Electric Razor?
The screen is another part of the razor that needs to be replaced once in a while. To be specific, the screen might not function properly after 6-8 months, even when the blades can still provide a clean cut.
Over time, hair and water droplets accumulate on the screen, making it nonfunctional. It’s worth paying attention to this part to replace it on time. If there is a buildup of hair and grime on the screen or it does not work, as usual, you should get a replacement.
However, many electric razors on the market do not come with a screen. This can spare you the hassle and cost of changing this part, so you only have to deal with the cutting head and blades.
How To Extend The Lifespan Of An Electric Shaver?
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prolong the lifespan of your electric shaver and ensure its optimal performance for a close and comfortable shave:
Clean after each use
After shaving, it makes sense to clean your electric shaver to get rid of bits of dead skin and loose hair stuck in the razor.
All you need to do is remove the cutting head and use your fingers to tap the side of the razor to dispose of the hairs.
Take Off The Cutting Head
With a waterproof and washable shaver, you can rinse with warm water before air-drying them. Remember to dry your razor completely before storing it.
Moisture is the worst enemy of metal blades since it can reduce the sharpness and create a favorable ground for dirt and limescale to accumulate.
If you clean your shaver with a cleaning station, you only need to use a dry towel to dry it. For a non-waterproof device, only wash the head and air dry the body.
Deep clean each week
Cleaning after each shave is not enough to keep your electric shaver in good working order. There are still bits of dead cells, loose hair, and lubricants caught in the shaver, which can only be removed with weekly deep cleaning. If you don’t, they might clog the shaver and place extra strain on the engine.
After taking off the cutting head, use the brush that arrived with the package or any small brush with a narrow shape to reach all the crooks and crannies and remove all the buildup and debris.
Brushes are too hard to clean the foil parts. Thus, never use the brush to touch the foils or cutting head that you removed because you can easily damage them.
Tapping the head to get rid of debris is fine, but remember to do so gently to avoid breaking it.
It is also recommended to de-grease your electric shaver every week. The procedure is quite simple: clean your shaver with warm water, and a cleaning spray specialized for electric shavers to eliminate all the residual oil.
Make sure all the components are completely dry before putting them together.
Lubricate the cutters
As mentioned, the friction and heat generated during the shave can cause the metal components inside to be more prone to warping and deforming.
If you want these parts to operate smoothly with minimum damage, keep them adequately oiled with light oil or spray.
It’s worth noting that you should only oil the cutting elements when you’re sure they are thoroughly dried. Otherwise, the oil you apply will block the moisture and cause rust in no time.
Lubricate The Shaver
Replace your blades regularly
To ensure your shaver performs at its peak all the time, it pays to replace your blades every 12 to 18 months.
This practice is necessary since dull blades are the root cause of not-so-close and uncomfortable shaves and irritations.
As for foil shavers, the foils and blades should be replaced together since they are subject to the same wear and tear from the shave.
Change worn or damaged components
Because the shaver works hard to cut thousands of hairs throughout its lifespan, electrical parts in the razor inevitably wear out and go dysfunctional at times.
Fortunately, you can get replacements easily as they are affordable and readily available in most stores and online.
All you need to do is notice the problems and change the worn-out parts immediately. Keep using them will only strain the motor and lead to irreversible damages to the electric razor.
One of the easiest ways to track the serviceability of razor’s components is the product warranty. The time frame might vary, but your razor is normally good for two years.
If there is any problem arising during the warranty period, you can make good use of the warranty policy; the brand can repair or replace without charging any extra fees.
Store your shaver properly
Continuous exposure to moisture takes a toll on your electric shavers, even with models labeled for wet shaving.
Electronics and anything metal that comes into contact with dampness will be damaged and corrode. Therefore, you should place your shaver in an upright position and let it air dry completely before storing it in a dry place.
If you need to take your electric shaver on the go, make sure to toss it into a protective case and use a head protector (if there’s any).
Handle the shaver with care
Your electric shaver, especially the foils, is pretty delicate and easy to break.
Hence, be extra careful while shaving with your shaver. You don’t want to drop them or hit them against other items.
Also, while patting the shaver to clean off the hairs and limescale, do so gently.
Don’t fully submerge it in water
If your electric shaver is not waterproof, it is a bad idea to bring it into the shower, bathtub, or any place steamed with moisture.
Doing so guarantees the internal parts won’t get damaged by moisture. Even with wet-shaving shavers, you should avoid water as much as possible to protect your device against potential rusting and corrosion.
Conclusion
Electric shavers provide a great deal of convenience and are also highly durable. The thing is, you might part your money on your new electric shaver sooner than it should be.
We hope this article helps you answer the question: “How long do electric shavers last?” and ways to keep them in top condition over their intended lifespan.
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