Have you tried a really solid pre shave routine to soften things up first? I found washing my neck with hot water and using a good gel or oil makes a HUGE difference before I even touch the razor. That prep work lets your against the grain method work even better because the hair is way more manageable. Using a fresh, sharp blade is non-negotiable too, it just glides through. It totally turns the whole shave around and cuts down on the irritation and bumps.

When you worry about pushing away good clients, I read a blog post about this exact thing. It said that a small fee for check-ups actually makes serious people value your time more. Like, a local repair shop started charging for estimates and saw fewer no-shows but better jobs. But doesn't that mean the clients who balk at a small fee weren't that committed anyway? The piece argued that good clients see the charge as a sign you're professional and know your worth. So maybe it's less about losing them and more about finding the right fit.