As someone plagued with easily irritated skin and coarse, dark body hair, shaving is the least desirable part of my beauty routine. While no one should feel pressured to rid their bodies of completely natural hair growth, it would be nice to have a shaving option that doesn’t produce painful ingrown hair and inflamed razor burn in the process. Dr. Snehal Amin, co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology, told HuffPost that if you want a close and irritation-free shave, you might need to throw out that disposable plastic cartridge razor for good. ″[Cartridge razors] usually house two to seven thin single-edged blades. Most of the cutting is done by the first blade, which gets dull rather quickly. The rough blade then tugs on the hair without completely cutting it, causing irritation and inflammation,” Amin said. He also explained that the lightweight designs typical of plastic razors mean they don’t stay on the skin in a steady motion and require added pressure to effectively cut hair. This translates to unnecessary hair tugging and peeling and stretching of the skin, which can cause ingrown hair and irritated hair follicles. The superior alternative isn’t actually anything new, but something similar to the single, straight-edge razors that barbers have used for years. Almost always constructed entirely of metal, weighted razors house a double-edged blade in a stable, immobile head. The heaviness and stagnant angle are what give these safety razors an advantage over their flimsy drugstore competitors. “With a weighted razor, you use the weight of the razor to do the shaving while it glides over your skin, rather than pressing the blades into your skin as with disposable razors,” said Jonathan Keren, co-founder of Maapilim, a company that specializes in grooming care. Keren said that weighted razors can be a more efficient option for coarse hair that grows in different angles, making them a suitable razor to use on all regions of the body, including thick hair on the face or bikini area. And if you’re looking for ways to reduce your impact on the planet, most safety razors are intended to last a lifetime ― unlike short-lived disposable options that end up in landfills after a few uses. Keren suggested purchasing a recyclable plastic-free blade bank to safely contain used blades, as blades should be replaced every five to seven shaves, according to The American Academy of Dermatology. This route is often more cost-effective in the long run since replacement blades are relatively inexpensive. For people accustomed to traditional disposable razors, the idea of using a weighted one may seem intimidating. However, Keren said that it has a minimal learning curve.For areas like the face and bikini line, “I’d recommend three passes: first with the grain, another against and a final pass against it, and for legs, a single pass against the grain is best,” he said. Make sure to use a light touch and an emollient shaving cream, oil or soap.If you’re ready to lather up and get a close shave, keep reading to see beautiful weighted razors that will last a long time and look good on your bathroom counter. They may even make you enjoy the act of shaving. An affordable metal razor that provides a controlled shaveGreen Estate's razor securely holds a double-edged blade between two sections of metal to provide a controlled shave. The handle is textured for a non-slip hold even when wet, and it comes with replacement blades that are 100% recyclable.hanniA powder-coated razor that won’t rust when wetLike other weighted safety razors, this Hanni option was designed to give you a close shave without having to apply heavy pressure. Not only is it adept at removing hair, but it can also help to exfoliate dead skin, leaving skin soft and smooth. It’s plastic-free, rust-resistant, has an extra-long handle and a curve that can be easily maneuvered to fit underarms and the pubic area. It comes in two colors and has its own proprietary Swedish stainless steel blades.AmazonA safety razor for under $20This stainless steel razor includes five blades, all of which are made with high-quality materials. It’sdesigned to resist corrosion and stay sharp, enhancing its durability. The safety razor has a textured handle for a comfy, safe grip even while wet, and it comes in a range of colors. One reviewer said, “The rose gold design is very elegant, and it feels sturdy in the hand.” Another noted that, “The blades are very sharp and provide a close, smooth shave without pulling or tugging.” A double-edged safety razor with a short, heavy handleThis silver razor by Merkur features a heavy, non-slip, stout handle for a secure hold and a gentle, weighted pressure when shaving. One reviewer on Amazon said that this has the perfect combination of blade angle, alignment and weight to give a very close and non-aggressive shave.A highly-reviewed weighted razor with a standThis rust-resistant safety razor by Zomchi features a textured handle to prevent slippage even when wet and comes with a matching chromed brass stand for convenient storage. The simple mechanical design is nicely balanced for a comfortable and secure hold and the razor comes with five platinum razor blade replacements.The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.