Advise for the first shave after having a beard

A friend of mine has had a beard for 4 years or so and is going to be shaving it off around Labor Day because of the costume he has planned for DragonCon (a ridiculously fun 4 day party/convention in downtown Atlanta, similar to ComicCon in San Diego). He asked me for advise, and I thought I would ask here before giving him any real specifics. Not having a beard before, I am not sure what the skin will be like after that long a time without a shave. So if any of you guys went from a beard to a clean shave, I would appreciate any advise you have. He seems interest in the idea of a straight blade, but I am not sure if he is planning on growing the beard back after the weekend is over.

I told him he may just want to look into barber shops that offer shaves first, especially if it just a one time thing. I know of a few place in and around Atlanta that do good jobs.

I also told him to first take the beard to stubble with a trimmer then to just use a Mach 3 and name brand shaving cream if he wants to do it himself and does not plan on shaving beyond DragonCon, and just gave him the basics, hot water to open the pores, a nice lather, and not to much pressure on the blade. I would like to be able to pass on some more specifics about what the hair and face will be like after so long, I am assuming that the skin will be more sensitive to a blade.

I'd knock a layer off as suggested, and then keep getting tighter over a few days until it's down to like 1 cut, then lots of lather and lots of moisturizer to hydrate the beard. I'd stray from a straight on someone who hasn't apparently shaved in a while until the skin can breath again. IMHO.

However he beard comes off, he might plan to avoid photo shoots or high-stakes social engagements for a day or two. My skin always looks like holy hell for a day or two after shaving off a significant growth, even though I don't have that trouble at all from regular shaving.

If you have an Art Of Shaving in your area some offer shaves, good way to good if it's a one time thing. Going to AOS in Orlando tomorrow for a shave myself.

I'd probably bring it down in a couple of steps. My face tends to have issues when growing a beard out at first, or when first shaving it off. I'd Trim it down real short with clippers and maybe keep it there for a couple of days and be sure to get some real good washing and exfoliating at that stage before shaving the rest of the way. People with long term beards often neglect the hidden skin beneath.