Most guys automatically assume that they know how to shave properly, but very few of us have learned the best way to a clean cut look. There’s actually a wealth of misinformation out there, so I decided to clear-up a number of shaving myths that have spread over decades.

I spoke with Chris Hurn, chairman and CEO of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, which offers the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of top grooming products. He's spent his career getting men looking our best, and here are his 5 biggest shaving myths, with the facts you need to get clean and close, without doing damage:

Myth No. 1: Exfoliating is a bad word.
Most guys cringe at the sound of a word like “exfoliate” because it sounds feminine or overly metrosexual. However, we have to report that they are wrong.

The technical reason behind the need for exfoliation is that men’s skin contains more collagen and elastin, denser blood vessels and more sweat than a woman’s. This traps dead skin cells, oils and dirt which can be removed by properly exfoliating.

The real, more manly reason is this: A guy’s skin gets really dirty and exfoliation is just a “good, hard scrub” that your face needs on a regular basis. There are many exfoliating scrubs available at local drugstores, or borrow one from your girlfriend. Your face will be cleaner than ever and ready for a clean, close shave.

Myth No. 2: Better takes longer.
We know that shaving is a chore and that everyone tries to speed up their morning routine, but shaving properly doesn’t take measurably longer than what most men are used to.

When we say 'shaving properly', we mean:
1- the regular but not necessarily daily exfoliation mentioned earlier
2- preparing your face/beard with a pre-shave oil
3- applying shaving cream with a brush, and
4- shaving carefully and then applying an after-shave balm.

Yes, if you compare slopping-on shaving cream from a can and speedily scraping a razor across your face, then 'quick and sloppy' will win the race, but probably by only a minute or so.

Myth No. 3: Better is much more expensive.
Using the better approach -- pre-shave oil, high-quality cream applied with a brush and an after-shave balm -- does cost more, but it is not dramatically more due to the way mainstream shaving products are sold.

The big shaving cream companies sell you products that don’t last very long, and men use too much. Because a shaving brush foams up good shaving cream, you only need a very small amount -- maybe the size of pea. A tub of good shaving cream, while costing about $25 or more, will last more than six months, while the stuff in a can last for a few weeks at $5-6 per can.

Myth No. 4: Never shave against the grain.
Many so-called experts swear that shaving against the grain is terrible for the skin, but we believe it critical to a nice, close shave.

Some believe that shaving against the grain can lead to ingrown hairs, and this may be true if you are prone to getting them. However, if you don’t have such issues and you don’t suffer from frequent razor burn, we wholeheartedly suggest you shave against the grain... but only on the second pass and only after re-lathering.

Shaving against the grain, provides the closest shave, particularly in the neck area beneath the jawline.

Myth No. 5: Straight razors are cool, so I should get one.
This one’s easy: bad idea. We provide straight razor shaves at our barbershops, but draw the line as to who should own and use an old-fashioned straight razor.

We believe they only belong in the hands of trained, master barbers. As the name would imply, straight razors are extremely sharp. While they can provide an incredibly close shave, we recommend that most men stick with the better quality, brand-name razors. Your face will appreciate it.

Also, from a household safety perspective, we believe no guy with kids in his house should have a straight razor. It would be very frightening to see a straight razor in the hands of little boy trying to imitate his dad shaving.

For more information on proper shaving techniques, where to purchase shaving products or to find a barbershop that offers Kennedy’s award-winning Signature 30-step straight razor shave, visit KennedysBarberClub.com or call 1-800-31-SHAVE.