Thread: Help with weird skin..."abrasion"?

I've been at it for almost 3 months now and my shaves are getting consistently closer. However, I've been noticing something strange with my skin after my face has dried. I seem to have little bits of skin poking up that cause some sensitivity. My face isn't red, no razor burn, but if I touch it, those little skin bits hurt. It almost looks like blonde stubble. Not sure I can properly articulate what it looks like.

Anybody experience this? And if so, what is it, what causes it, and what can I do different to avoid it from happening. Shows up mostly under my chin and jaw line.

My routine is hot shower, pre-lather, hot towel, re-lather, WTG pass, wet face, and AGT pass. Then alum, witch hazle, bay rum, and Nivia balm.

Help me.

When I think of bits of skin sticking up, I thoughts go to the razor's edge & what condition it's in.

it could be the blade needing a touch up or simply a little too much pressure causing you to start to peel your face.

In addition to the above's, maybe a little to steep of angle on the blade causing it to scrape more than slice.


Regards,

Howard

Look at the edge with magnification.

Chances are you chipped or burred the edge on your strop and it is cutting your skin. This is quite common when learning to strop.

Yes, micro-abrasions...too much pressure or a dull edge or both.

You wouldn't happen to be a Zombie would you? That can happen when dead folks shave.

Seriously though, I'd first check the edge for chips and then after that pay attention to technique as far as angle and pressure goes. Another possibility is weather related if you live in cold dry climates your face may be peeling which may have little or nothing to do with shaving. Moisturizers may help there.

.....Leprosy?

Do you use stropping paste? If you do you really should clean it off after.

Originally Posted by Phrank

.....Leprosy?

Ha!

I'm with the "something is scraping you" crowd here. It could be a bit too much pressure and too steep an angle, as mentioned. Since you mention that the problem is under the jawline, you could try a stretching experiment. When we speak of stretching, it's only partly about actually stretching; it's mostly about moving. For example, try placing the heel of the right hand just above the right jawline and push it up. You will find that you've moved that under-the-jaw trouble spot to the top of the jaw where a left handed up/diagonal stroke will clean it up easily. Watch the angle and pressure, of course.

Another possibility is that your razor is in need of a touchup. A blade that is not quite as sharp/smooth as it should be will often make us unconciously apply more pressure than we should. Couple that with a bad angle on those difficult to reach spots and you have a recipe for irritation.



rs,
Tack