I have a lot of facial hair. Shavers and groomers were made for people like me who approach shaving like an art. To me, a razor is like an instrument, a tool for personal expression. Be that as it may, premium disposable razors are expensive, and I don’t like buying them.
Today, I’m looking at an alternative method to shaving with a razor. I’m reviewing the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 shaver. I use an electric beard trimmer all the time, but I’ve never tried a battery-powered shaver before. It seems like a shaving method older, middle-aged men use. Being in my early forties, it seems both fitting and purposeful to do this review now. Nothing would make me happier than not having to buy disposable razors again.
Design of the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 shaver
The main body of the shaver is made from plastic with a rubberized grip on the back. It has an ergonomic curve design, making it comfortable in either hand with the thumb placed on the front. Being left-handed, I appreciate this neutral-hand design. Many tools are designed for right-handed users. With this shaver, you can switch hands with ease and still have firm control.
On the front, you’ll find the power button and a digital lamp display. This shows the shaving sensor, battery capacity, switch lock, and charge status lamp. The power socket is located on the bottom.
On the top, you’ll find Panasonic’s Multi-flex 12D Contour-Following Head with a 3-blade cutting system. This is designed to follow the contours of the face and neck. In addition, the Multi-fit Arc Blades feature a slight arc design. This reduces the pressure on the skin and touches it evenly.
Just behind it on the back is a pop-up trimmer. This can be used to pre-shave longer hair growth and for detailed grooming. It can be activated by pushing the trimmer handle up and can be released by pushing the handle back down.
Beard sensing technology
Like most men, I have more facial hair in some areas than others. The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 has a shaving sensor that will automatically detect beard density 2,000 times per second. It then adjusts shaving power accordingly to minimize skin irritation. On areas like my chin that have a lot of hair, the shaver uses more power. However, it uses less power in my upper cheeks where there isn’t much hair.
Basically, the shaving sensor reduces the burden on the skin. I like this feature because I get a lot of skin irritation if I use cheap or dull razors. That’s why I ended up spending so much money on expensive disposable razors. They are the only ones that don’t irritate my skin.
Battery life of the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 shaver
The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 features a lithium-ion battery and takes only one hour for a full charge that provides approximately 50 minutes of cordless shaving. It’s also designed for travel with automatic universal voltage switching between 100V and 240V.
Of course, there may be times when the battery is dead and you still need to shave. A three-minute quick charge will provide enough power for a single shave.
Using the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 shaver
As mentioned, this was my first experience using an electric shaver. I read the instructions carefully to ensure I used it correctly. I’m glad I did because there were a lot of helpful tips for better shaving.
The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 works with wet and dry shaving. It’s watertight, so it can also be used in the shower. I already have a shaving mirror installed in my shower so this is where I tested it. For a wet shave, I applied shaving lather like I normally do, pressed the power button, and started at the bottom of my neck.
I glided the shaver over my face against the grain. To get a better shave under my chin and around my throat, I stretched my skin with my other hand. The pivot action of the shaver head can be adjusted to either free or locked mode. I tried both but preferred the free mode because it helps prevent missed spots.
With the shaving gel, the shave was super smooth. It does take some time to get used to it. I found it helpful to always start from the same spot on the bottom of my neck and work my way up.
Cleaning and maintenance
To get the most out of any electric shaver, it’s important to develop good cleaning and maintenance habits. The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 comes with two accessories, a cleaning brush, and oil.
Panasonic recommends cleaning the shaver after every use. To clean it, I got it wet underwater and applied some hand soap to the outer foil. I then pressed the power button for two seconds to activate the sonic vibration cleaning mode. This suppressed the foam from splashing around. I then removed the outer foil by pressing the two buttons on the side and ran water over it. Again, by keeping the shaver in sonic cleaning mode, splashing was reduced. I then used a dry cloth and put the outer foil back on.
For general maintenance, the shaver needs to be occasionally lubricated. This keeps the movement of the blade smooth and maintains a comfortable shave. Users simply need to apply one drop of oil to the outer foils and the trimmer. Then switch the trimmer on for five seconds to distribute the oil around.
The shaver comes with a long and short cleaning brush. The long brush is used to clean the outer foil, the main body, and the trimmer. The short brush is used to clean the inner blades. I made sure to not move the short brush perpendicularly against the blade. This would damage the blade and possibly affect its sharpness.
Final thoughts on the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 shaver
In a lot of ways, an electric razor is like a lawnmower for your face. It allows users to develop and adhere to a methodical shaving routine with a single device. However, it does require some considerations.
First, you’ll need to commit to constant cleaning and maintenance. It’s not hard to do but a lot of people might skip steps like applying oil every couple of months. It’s important to develop good habits right away. Make sure you clean it after every use.
Second, you will need to eventually replace the outer foil and inner blades. Panasonic says the outer foil needs to be replaced once every year, and the inner blades every two years. I wonder how many people actually replace these blades. A good tip is to buy yourself replacement blades every year on your birthday.
I really like using it in the shower. While I don’t typically go clean-shaven, I can definitely see myself using the Panasonic shaver to shave my neck when I’m growing a beard. It’s fast, convenient, and super effective. The trimmer works great for sideburns and general grooming. If your beard is a little long, a good tip is to use the trimmer before the shaver.
If you’re tired of spending money on disposable razors, an electric shaver like the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67 might be exactly what you’re looking for.
