Thread: Help before I start.

If you are anything like many people, then you have become accustomed to assigning one hand the majority of any tasks requiring fine motor control while your 'off' hand is consigned to a lesser assistance roll (grasping, holding, supporting).

The difficulty in using the 'off' hand for any task is really a matter of actually using it and training it. It is not just the movement of the hand, itself, but also a matter of training the 'off' arm to respond properly as well. When learning to shave, just work at it slowly and only to the point that you still feel comfortable... and safe.

I have gone through the same routine and while sometimes a slow process it is not impossible. I favor my right hand, and involving my left hand and arm in the process has been slow going. The smooth, hand-eye coordination developed over years of constant use of the major hand needs to be trained into the 'off' hand and that can really feel like work (literally). Especially in the beginning, the task of controlling the 'off' hand for me felt very tiresome and I found myself returning to using my right hand after only a few shaky strokes with the left. Well, I kept at it and although it is not yet the equal of my right hand, my left hand is now definitely of some use when I shave.

Best advice: practice, practice, practice.

I've only just started, and same the same worries as you about using my non-dominant hand. However, I've only had nicks and razor burn so far on the parts of my face that were shaved with my dominant hand. The other parts are nice and smooth(ish) with no rawness. I put this down to the fact that my non-dominant hand is holding the razor less tightly and so doesn't aggrevate the skin so much.

I'm lousy with my left hand, but tried switching hands on my second straight shave and had a good result. I'd start on the cheek and continue with just that until you are comfortable going further. You'll find yourself being more careful with the left hand, and there is nothing wrong with that.