When to change foils and cutters
Studies show that the average man shaves an area equivalent to a football pitch every 18 months. That's a lot of travelling for a small piece of equipment to tackle.
The most common aspect that will affect a shaver's performance is the cutter becoming blunt, which will happen over time and use. To ensure that your shaver operates at peak performance it is recommended to replace the foils and cutters about once every 12-18 months. If the shaver is used very frequently or on thicker hair, they may need to be changed more often. The foils and cutters should be changed at the same time. The following signs may alert you to when they need to be changed:
Irritation: Your skin may feel more sensitive than usual or feel/look irritated post-shaving
Pulling: Your shave will start to feel less close, and you may notice the shaver pulling at the hairs rather then slicing through them.
Wear Through: The cutters may start to wear through the foils.
To keep your electrical shaver well maintained and prolong its life, it should be kept clean, charged, and cutters and foils replaced when necessary.
How to change your shaver foils and cutters
The following are tips that should apply to the most popular brands of shaver:
- Remove the upper casing with the foils by depressing the buttons (if necessary) and lifting out.
- Remove the blades individually. Usually these are designed for safety, but you should take extra care whilst doing this in case of cuts or scrapes.
- Insert the new blades by sliding and clicking into place. Try to push down on the middle rather than the ends of the cutters as they may bend. Fit the new foil by clicking back into place over the cutters.
- To prevent unnecessary damage to the cutters and foils, do not attempt to remove them unless you are replacing them.
Keeping your shaver clean
To ensure the best possible shave, the shaver should be kept clean and free of hairs. Hairs accumulated on the underside of the cutters can restrict the shaver's performance, causing the shave to be less close and potentially irritating the skin.
For best results, the shaver should be cleaned after every third shave, or if possible after each shave. To clean a Braun, Panasonic or Remington shaver, the head frame (which houses the foil) can be lifted off, and any hairs brushed out with the cleaning brush that is provided with the shaver.
However, try not to touch the foil with the brush as this is very fragile and could break prematurely. Never attempt to clean the shaver under running water. Some shavers are sold with a charging station that incorporates a 'cleaning' setting, which should take care of the shaver's cleaning for you.
Which foils and cutters?
For the majority of branded electric shavers the model name or number will be printed visibly on the housing. For others the model name and number may only be displayed on the packaging and instruction manual and not on the product itself.
Our quick finder is the easiest way to find the correct foils and cutters for your shaver. Simply enter the make and model number of your shaver and the quick finder will show all cutters and foils that are compatible with your shaver.
