Thread: Face Irritation after Wet Shave

http://imgur.com/a/9YyRe
Here are pictures of my neck and just under my lip two days after a wet shave at a barbers. I don't know exactly what products he used, but he did use a pre shave oil and some post shave oil as well. He used the hot towel treatment prior to the shave for about 5 minutes. The shave itself was very smooth and I was quite impressed. From what I can tell, he did a fine job.

However, this still occurs. I'm not sure what the cause is, as naturally when I don't shave for a few days I have very clear skin. I recently started with a DE and love it. Have ordered a few pre and post shave products I hope to try out in the next few weeks, and I would hate for this irritation to get in the way of that.
Any ideas on how to prevent this? I love the idea of wet shaving, especially due to its traditional and ritualistic nature and would hate to give it up. Just to note this also used to happen when I would use cartridges, and for the past year or so I would only use hair trimmers on my face to keep it tidy.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Maybe your skin is not use to the products he used. I know if I switch products, I'll breakout. Could be just from the blade he used, Shavette? Maybe he spent a little to much time in those area's, going over it and over it again. Just guessing....

Looks like a bad reaction to one of the products he used to prep your beard. It could also be a reaction to the hot towel treatment. Or a combination of both. Sometimes I think they get a little too aggressive with the heat. I tend to use a warm temp during prep and a cool temp for post shave clean up and compression. Some here swear by a full cold water shave process.

Hmm, okay thanks. I will give the cold shave a try. I've read a few threads on shave prep and post shave techniques, but any recommendations in particular for a problem like this?

Cold shave sounds good to me. After thinking about this some more, Noxzema may help clear that up, well at least maybe get the red to fade. In fact sometimes I use Noxzema like a preshave oil, just go over top of it with your lather. It's like prep, or Proraso preshave cream.

Try some over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the rash. That has worked for me, and I think suggested in other posts. You may have issues with products, or just your skin adapting to the blade, or both.

Hmm, okay I will give that a try. I read in a thread a few days ago that many people use glycerin based soaps as an antimicrobial, do you have thoughts on any of these? Sorry for all the questions, I am rather new to this and am just trying to get some footing.

I had a similar issue, due chiefly to my heavy hand being new to a DE. I bought some unscented cream at Whole Foods, and some Thayer's Witch Hazel to use after, as well as using the hydrocortisone. If possible, let those areas rest and use the cortisone. Your skin is having to get used to a lot, plus you may have gotten an over-zealous but well meaning barber to shave you.

I'm not so prone to skin issues from shaving, but here are some ideas:

- Take time off from shaving to allow the rash/irritation to heal. For me, usually the problem is an allergic reaction, so I take an antihistamine and use a topical cream to reduce redness/irritation - I use some funky Chinese stuff, but hydrocortisone for you.

- Cold water shaving. Do everything using cold water. It helps me if I have irritation, it might help you.

- Most of my irritation comes from the perfumes in the shave soap or preshave lotion. Most shave product manufacturers make some version of their product specifically for sensitive skin - no scent, soothing ingredients, etc. They could be worth a try.

- It is possible that the barber went ATG in the areas with irritation, and you might be too sensitive for ATG shaving.

Just a few possibilities.

Great feedback. Will give all these tips a try.
Thanks gents!