Beard bristle observation and BBS

[Headcrowny]

Just noticed something that may be of interest for those who haven't already discovered it. Each day I shave, stretching the skin as recommended by many. Works well. Then afterward I'll run my thumbs under my chin against the grain and detect a bit of bristly. So I think "I'll do better next time". Well today, for the first time, during my shave routine, I stretched the skin as if I were going to shave but instead of shaving ran my finger along the skin. And you know what? Absolutely smooth and bristle free. But when I released the tension and did the same rub with the skin relaxed, what did I encounter? Bristles.

What's the moral of the story, for me at least? That the shave is doing the job perfectly, and, in fact, as good as could be gotten. I can't detect any bristles when the skin is stretched and that means, when the shaver's going over that area, it's gonna say to itself "nothing to see folks, move along". It can't do any better than it already is.

Logically, I then shaved some more without stretching the skin. Very light touch. And the razor then obligingly cut the teensy tiny bristles which were then open to its ministrations.

So, interesting case of "check what's actually happening before forming an opinion about what MIGHT be happening." I thought I was somehow not cutting as well as possible but the reality was that I was doing as well as could be done, given the conditions. To change the outcome, I had to change the conditions.

And, just to make me a happy experimenter, sting-free upon alum application. So a nice win overall for my shaving adventures.

[gssixgun]

A clear water pass with a light touch on a relaxed face will yield very good results

[10Pups]

Yep, and a year from now you will be discovering/rediscovering all sorts of things like that. Sounds like your getting great shaves though and good for you !