How to Trim Sideburns with an Electric Shaver

Why use the trimmer instead of the main shaver

The main foil or rotary head of an electric shaver is made to cut stubble close to the skin. A trimmer attachment or pop-up trimmer uses exposed blades that clip hair to a chosen length instead of cutting it flush, which is why it is the better tool for shaping sideburns. You keep the sideburn as a defined shape while removing only the hair you want to remove. For a quick explanation of the part, see what is a pop-up trimmer.

Health guidance often points people with irritation to electric shaving rather than wet shaving. The UK National Health Service lists trying an electric razor rather than wet shaving among its tips for preventing ingrown hairs, and it warns against shaving too close. The exposed trimmer is a good match for that advice because it leaves a little stubble in the sideburn area. Best electric shavers with a trimmer collects models that include a trimmer or pop-up blade.

Prepare the skin and hair first

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wetting your skin and hair before shaving to soften it and says a great time to shave is right after a shower. Trimming sideburns can happen at the start of that routine, while the hair is soft, or as a separate dry maintenance step. If you choose a dry trim, comb the sideburns first so the guard sits flat and the hair feeds evenly.

If you are trimming before a full shave, use the trimmer for the sideburn and the main shaver for the rest of the face. The AAD also notes that men with acne should take special care because shaving can irritate acne. For that reason, the trimmer may be the gentler part of the routine, since it does not press a large shaver head against the cheek.

People with coarse or curly hair are more likely to get ingrown hairs, as the NHS explains. The sideburn area often has exactly that kind of hair. Keeping the trimmer at a longer setting is one way to reduce the chance that a short hair curves back into the skin.

Set the length before you start

Many trimmer attachments come with a selection of comb guards or an adjustable length dial. Start with the longest length that could look right. You can always go shorter, but you cannot put hair back. Click the comb into place and check that it sits level before you bring the trimmer to your face.

For the body of the sideburn, a longer guard keeps the shape visible against the cheek. The NHS advises not shaving too close: leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs. If you want a subtle sideburn, use that as your starting point.

A bare pop-up trimmer without a comb cuts to a fixed close length, which makes it useful for the bottom edge and the line along the ear but not for the middle of the sideburn. A trimmer attachment with combs gives more control over the shape. Best trimmer-included electric shavers covers models with wider trimming attachments.

Shape the sideburn in small passes

Comb the sideburn downward so the hair follows its natural direction, then trim in the direction the hair grows. The AAD lists shaving in the direction of hair growth as an important step to prevent razor bumps and burns. Against the grain may cut faster, but it also makes it easier to remove too much.

When you are cutting the lower edge, rest the trimmer flat and move down in short strokes. The NHS recommends using as few strokes of the razor as possible to prevent ingrown hairs. Check a mirror after each pass, because a small change in angle can remove a visible amount from the bottom corner.

Do not press hard. Light pressure keeps the comb or blade in contact with the skin and lets the hair feed through evenly. The natural sideburn line follows the front edge of the ear and continues toward the jaw, so keep the trimmer parallel to that line.

Finish the edges with the trimmer or main shaver

For a crisp lower edge, switch to the bare pop-up trimmer or use the corner of the trimmer attachment. Keep the blades perpendicular to the skin and make a short stroke along the bottom of the sideburn. If you want an even closer finish, the main foil or rotary shaver can follow, but it will lower the line quickly. See how to use a pop-up trimmer for the edge and detail technique.

The top of the sideburn should taper where it meets the cheek and temple. Blend it by lifting the trimmer slightly away from the skin, or by using a longer comb guard over the upper portion. Step back from the mirror after blending to check the proportion of both sides.

Trim both sideburns together rather than finishing one completely and then starting the other. Compare the two sides after each step. Most faces are slightly asymmetrical, so match the visual line of the sideburns instead of an exact measurement.

Aftercare and preventing irritation

After you finish, the NHS suggests holding a cool, wet cloth to the skin to reduce irritation and using an exfoliating scrub to help release trapped hairs. These steps are useful for the sideburn area, where the hair is often coarser than the hair on the upper cheek. The AAD says that if growing your beard out is an option, it can get rid of razor bumps for good; trimming instead of close shaving is a less drastic middle ground.

Do not scratch, pick or squeeze ingrown hairs. The NHS says this can damage the skin and lead to infection. If irritation keeps coming back around the sideburns, give the area a break from shaving and trim less often. For more on avoiding irritation during a shave, see how to prevent razor burn and how to shave sensitive skin.

Keep the shaver and trimmer clean and dry. The AAD recommends storing your razor in a dry area and letting it dry completely between uses to prevent bacteria from growing. Remove clipped hairs from the trimmer after each session, clean the attachment according to the maker's instructions, and replace the trimmer or shaver head when the cutting performance drops.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Should I trim my sideburns before or after shaving the rest of my face?

Trim them last if you want to judge the final proportion. Soften the hair first if your shaver is used for a wet shave, then use the trimmer attachment for the sideburn and the main shaver for the rest of the face. If you shave first, the sideburns can look too long by comparison.

How short should my sideburns be?

That depends on your face shape and haircut. For the trimmed area, the NHS suggests leaving at least 1mm of stubble to help reduce ingrown hairs. Start longer than you think you need and work shorter in small passes.

Can I use the main foil or rotary head to trim sideburns?

The main head cuts very close and is better for cleaning up the skin around the sideburn. Use the trimmer attachment or pop-up trimmer to shape the sideburn itself so you do not accidentally shave it away. See what is a pop-up trimmer.

What if I get ingrown hairs around my sideburns?

Stop shaving the area for a while if you can, trim instead of shaving, and leave a little more length. The NHS says to avoid shaving too close, use an electric razor, and not pick or squeeze ingrown hairs. An exfoliating scrub can help release trapped hairs.

How do I get both sideburns even?

Trim one side, then compare it with the other in a mirror before continuing. Work in small strokes and match the visual line of the two sides rather than trying to copy an exact measurement.

How should I clean the trimmer after trimming sideburns?

Remove the clipped hairs from the comb and blades, rinse if the manufacturer allows it, and let everything dry completely before storing the shaver. The AAD recommends storing razors in a dry area so they dry fully between uses.