Remington Razor Beats Disposables - Cleaning Unit Makes World of Difference!
Written: Apr 20 '06 (Updated Apr 20 '06)
Product Rating:
Durability:
Ease of Use:
Battery Life:
Effectiveness:
Pros: Shaves as close as disposable razors, cleaning unit disinfects and lubricates blades and shaving unit.
Cons: Electric razor require short learning curve if used to disposables; tad pricey but worth it.
The Bottom Line: Fantastic! Razor of the future - lightweight, durable, close shave, easy to use, ability to sanitize razor with included cleaning system, and works great on bikini line areas.
paisleyplace's Full Review: Remington Smooth & Silky WDF-7000 Electric Shaver
Normally, I am the first woman to tell others to give up any ideas of using an electric razor. I felt they could not cut it - no pun intended. I was wrong. This one can!
Since I started shaving as a teenager, I have probably tested well over a few dozen various electric razors. Each one failed miserably - until now. The Remington WDF-7000CS (CS stands for Cleaning System) makes the grade on numerous levels.
Why Try Electric?
My desire to give electric razors another shot has to do with my having an autoimmune disease (systemic lupus erythemosus). I needed a product that worked well and provided a cleaning system to prevent possible infections. As a person with lupus, I am constantly battling infections. The fear of having an infection from shaving was one fear too many. In addition, I have an eye disease that causes blindness. Lupus complicates my sight by the nature of the disease. It was becoming more difficult to shave using my trusty Venus Razor with disposable blades. Since I cannot see where I am shaving, I was beginning to cut and scrape myself constantly. These problems led me to give the Remington Smooth and Silky Titanium WDF-7000CS a chance. This razor redeemed electric razors.
Included in the Box:
Remington Smooth and Silky Titanium WDF-7000 Razor with hypoallergenic gold foils covering the blades
Cleaning System Unit
Razor Cleaning Brush
Remington Cleaning Solution (8-ounce size bottle)
Use and Care Instruction Book with warranty information
Warranty Card - Register online or via snail mail
Ordering brochure for screens and razor blades
The instruction information includes the web address for the Remington website. Remington offers a club plan for reordering solution, blades, and screens on a six-month to annual basis. The instruction manual recommends blade replacement once a year and screen replacement once every 6 months for optimum performance.
The Razor Itself:
The razor's contours are nice and the shape makes it easier to grasp while using it. It would be easier to use if the razor came in a smaller unit size because I have small hands but it does work safely and comfortably despite this issue. The twin blades with covering screen do a wonderful job of cutting the hair as close to the skin as possible. It reminds me of the lift and clip system on men's razors. After the initial break-in period, the Remington shaves as close as traditional blade razors, including my previous all-inclusive Venus razor with disposable blade tops.
Razor Weight: The razor, alone and without the cord or cleanings system weighs 6.3 ounces.
Razor w/Cleaning System Weight: The razor with cleaning system weighs approximately 1.8 pounds.
The razor head includes two trimmers, one at the top and one at the bottom of the shaving head. It includes a button on the side to release the shaving top exposing the blades for cleaning using water or the brush. This is most likely for use with the model that does not include the cleaning system and changing out the razor blades and hypoallergenic gold foils. The unit, with and without cleaning system, comes with a cleaning brush.
The Cleaning System:
The cleaning system unit separate into two sections. The top section holds the razor while the lower section contains the filter and a tank well to hold the included cleaning solution. Two large buttons sit on either side to separate the top and bottom halves for cleaning, adding solution, and changing the filter.
The unit has three lights along one side; each serves a different function. The first light flashes when the cleaning fluid is low. The second light shows the charging of the razor. The third light flashes during the cleaning cycle and then goes solid when the cycle is complete.
The solution includes Alcohol 96 percent (v/v). The label proclaims the solution is made in the USA.
During the cleaning cycle, the unit automatically turns the razor on and off in order to flush the cleaning/lubricating solution throughout the razor head. The cleaning cycle lasts approximately 25 minutes. The sound level is no louder than running the razor intermittently. The razor does not run consecutively during the entire 25 minutes. In fact, it seems to run only a few minutes through the first few minutes and then stops for the rest of the cleaning cycle. The changeable filter sits beneath the well that holds the razor blade section of the razor to catch the debris and this filter does need replacement as there is no way to clean it since the filter encloses the debris inside the filter itself. The cleaning cycle shuts itself off when complete and puts the razor into charging mode.
It is important to let the cleaning cycle complete. If you do not, the blades are icky feeling instead of clean and smooth. The solution provides approximately 25 cleaning cycles under normal circumstances. Since it is an alcohol base, it is subject to evaporation but I have not found it to evaporation quickly.
Another important fact is that the unit can spill if knocked sideways. Since it includes alcohol, it is important to keep the razor's cleaning unit in an area where it is not subject to be knocked about or tilted over. Don't sit the unit on a surface where alcohol can damage it. The cleaning unit is quite light when the razor is not in it so take special precautions when moving it about, inserting the razor, and removing it too.
Performance and Use:
The Remington WDF-7000CS razor is a wet/dry razor. Unlike older models that could not get wet, this razor is quite the opposite. You can shave in the shower, in the bathtub, or anywhere else.
It is important to charge the razor for a full 24 hours before using for the first time. The instruction manual recommends allowing the batteries to run out completely every six months and then recharge them for 24 hours. The razor, according to the instruction manual, cannot overcharge.
The razor can shave on dry skin and it works well. I find that if I use the cleaning cycle after each shave, it makes it easier to use and the razor runs smoothly across my skin. Don't press hard against the skin! It works best with a softer, lighter touch when shaving. I find if I have a problem shaving a particular area or stubborn hair, I can shave with the grain of the hair, against the grain, and then utilize the trimmers on the top and lower edges of the razor. The trimmers work well for bikini areas and underarms.
It takes some time to accustom the skin to the razor, especially the more sensitive areas like underarms and bikini lines but it is possible. The break-in period for my legs was only a few days whereas the period for underarms and bikini line ran about a week or two. I found it easiest to use shaving cream to shave in the bikini areas and underarms to lessen the chances of irritation. Like all razors, electric and blade, it takes time to adjust to using it. In time, the results are amazing.
I did a test and had my husband assist in the testing phase since he loves silky smooth legs. LOL! I shaved one leg using the Remington WDF-7000CS razor and shaved the other using my trusty Venus razor. After shaving with both and not allowing him to know which razor shaved which leg, going through my routine of adding moisturizer, and then finally coming out of the master bath, I asked him to tell me which razor shaved which leg. He was not able to tell the difference. I would not been able to tell the difference either if I had not been the one shaving! It was a close smooth shave.
Overall Opinion:
This razor is tops when it comes to all the various brands and models I tried in the past. It stands well above the rest.
The hypoallergenic gold foil screen prevents irritation and rashes. This should prove especially important to women with metal allergies.
The alcohol/lubricant solution for the cleaning unit keeps the blades and foil screen sanitary and germ-free. The lubricant makes the razor float over the skin; this leaves less chance of the razor causing any nicks, cuts, or irritation.
The dual Titanium blades shave allows this electric razor the ability to shave closer. This razor's blade system makes it nearly impossible to distinguish between an electric-razor shave and a disposal-razor shave. The time is long overdue for women to have the option of dual razor action. Men have had this option for many years. It is nice for women to have the same opportunity.
The Remington Smooth and Silky in the WDF-7000CS model gets the job done and it does it with style, grace, and the highest degree of efficiency. I would recommend this razor for anyone but especially for women with sensitive skin, metal allergies, and immunity or other health problems where infection can be a problem. The cleaning unit with specific Remington solution provides an additional barrier of protection for all women but again, it is especially helpful for women with health issues where the immune system or risk of infection is high.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
I have a few tips and tricks I want to share with you since shaving with an electric razor and a disposal-style razor are completely different concepts albeit similar.
1. Never press hard against the skin when using this razor. The lubricant and light floating heads allows for close shaving. Pressing hard against the skin only serves to flatten the hairs future making it more difficult rather than easier to obtain that close silky shave we all desire and love.
2. In areas of bikini lines or underarm areas, be sure to pull the skin as taunt as possible. This prevents any binding of the skin and lessens any chance of nicks and cuts. It also allows the razor to work harder to shave closer.
3. When shaving around the knees or the front area of the calves along the line where the bone runs, try these tips…. Straighten the leg as straight as possible before running the razor across the knee area. Do not press hard against the skin. Allow the razor to do the work. The blades remove the hair, not friction between the razor casing and the skin in need shaving. For the calf areas, make certain to shave along the flatter areas of the front of the calves and then push/pull the skin to place the skin just to the sides of the flat area over in order to shave without causing any nicks or cuts. This technique also ensures maximum removal of hair along that area too.
4. Use more than your eyes when shaving. Use your eyes, hands, and hearing. Watch for hair needing removal but at the same time use your free hand to run down the length of your leg, underarm, etc... to feel for any stray hairs the first run missed. Listen for the sound of the blades clipping the hairs. The sound of the razor shaving hair is distinct. As the hair shaves completely, the sound of clipping hair diminishes until it disappears. I am legally blind so I have to rely on my sense of touch and my sense of sound when I shave. The first few times I shaved using the Remington, I noticed the sound the razor blades make when shaving hair.
5. Clean the razor after each shaving to keep the blades and screen in optimal condition as well as keeping the unit clean and germ-free.
6. Use the trimmer sections of the unit. These two areas work wonders in areas including the bikini lines/bikini leg areas, around ankles, and over the top of the foot closest to the ankles.
7. Change the foil screens at least every six months and the blades at least once a year for optimal use.
8. If you experience irritation during early use, be sure to use a lathering type of shaving cream before using the unit while your skin adjusts. This is a wet/dry razor. It is safe to use in the shower, bathtub, and even dry without water. The cleaning solution with alcohol and lubricant keeps the razor head moving smoothly against the skin. It makes a huge difference. This is why I recommend cleaning the razor after each use.
Safety dictates that you unplug the electrical cord before shaving in the shower or bathtub.
9. Make certain the area you store the cleaning unit can withstand the cleaning solution if the unit tips and the solution spills onto it. Pay special attention to the change-solution lights and the cleaning lights.
10. When searching for this razor, be sure to comparison shop because this razor's price varies from retailer to retailer. It is available in department stores, certain pharmacies, many online retailers, and the Remington Razor website. The best Remington website containing the most information on this Remington razor and others in addition to accessories and supplies visit http://www.remington-products.com.
11. The cleaning solution kit is not necessary to charge the razor. The electrical cord plugs into the cleaning unit and it plugs into the razor itself. This makes it the excellent choice for someone who travels.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 79.00 Noise Level: More quiet than most
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