A foil unit uses a thin, perforated screen that pulls hair upright while hidden blades slice underneath, protecting skin yet cutting close enough to mimic a fresh razor finish.

Almost! Modern men’s foil shavers leave stubble shorter than 0.1 mm - close enough to feel smooth in both directions. While a blade reaches absolute zero, foils achieve a comparable finish faster and with far less irritation.

Foil heads excel on short, even growth. For longer strands, pre-trim with clippers, then finish with the shaver. Dual-foil models with staggered slots handle slightly longer hair more efficiently than single screens.

The body of an electric foil shaver can serve for years with regular cleaning and battery care. Replace screens every six months and cutters yearly—sooner in high-volume shops—to keep performance high.

Choose single-foil units for contour work, dual-foils for speed, or staggered foils for fade finishing. Corded, cordless and hybrid power options let you match tools to station layout, not the other way around.