Thread: Barber says I'm hopeless...

Originally Posted by Phrank

Yes...good point MisterMoo...

Thank you. I hope, one day, to have an original idea as well.

I hope these things work for you Casey. Cold water lathering/rinsing was a real eye-opener (ha); changed the game entirely.

It's more likely your barber was suffering from a case of Barberus Incompetente. If you truly have a skin condition, see a Doctor. Remember, at one time a straight was the only way to shave and folks managed back then.

Pseudo-folliculitis barbae (PFB) can be extremely problematic. I'm black and a physician (though not a Dermatologist), and I've treated both myself and some of my patients. PFB occurs when a hair curves back into the skin, and causes an inflammatory reaction. This shows up as pimples and pus pockets, and sometimes scarring and keloid formation.

Here are a few observations:

• Close shaves are a no-no
  What you use to shave isn't the main issue. The problem is that closer shaves encourage ingrown hairs, especially if the hair is curly and/or wiry.
• Shaving ATG is asking for trouble
  This is because you are shaving closer, and may be damaging the skin. You also may cut the hair off below the skin surface, which really encourages ingrowing.
• Shaving less often may help
  Skipping days may help because you reduce how much irritation your skin faces. I never shaved on weekends.
• Brushing and exfoliation may help
  I literally brush my face and neck using a hair brush; this helps lift out any early ingrown hairs. It also is a mild form of exfoliation in that it helps remove the dead outer layers of skin. You may find that lathering with a boar shaving brush is better for you, because they are stiffer and provide more exfoliation than do the softer brushes. Chemical exfolliants may also be helpful, but may also be too irritating.
• Topical steroids can be very helpful when used properly
  This is especially important for keloid formers. See a Dermatologist or other medical provider who has experience treating PFB in order to get an appropriate steroid at the appropriate strength!!
• Some people may 'grow out of it'
  My PFB definitely improved as I've gotten older. Mine was my original motivation for growing a beard as a teenager. I had fewer problems in my 20's, when the Navy required that I shave. And it really improved in my 30's. Now, at almost 60, I still get an occasional ingrown hair, but they're far less frequent, even when I used 5-bladed cartridges and shaved ATG. So there may be hope!

But the bottom line with PFB is this: No BBSs for you, and probably no DFSs, either. Settle for being presentable.

Dzanda's advice is the most concise and informative info on just about any topic that has arisen on SRP. I don't have PFB but I always look forward to gaining new knowledge and his post did just that for me.

The only thing I might add is really look into a cold water shave as others have suggested. I switched to a cold water shave and almost all of my sensitive (and Rosacea) problems went away. Added benefit came when mu next door daughter-in-law said since I started using a straight razor I look a number of years younger (I'm 81 and a store clerk recently thought I was 68!!). Cold water shaving has made me a warmer person in the world.

I am a hobbyist barber and I use a product called Tend Skin for friends and family that have issues with shave bumps and ingrown hairs. Its has worked reasonably well.

From the sound of it you really should go see a doctor and make adjustments from there.

A close shave might not be a good idea for you. I can only add that I "shaved" for a period with only a hair clipper (and did my head as well). The short tight growth is not a bad look, if you can pull it off.

Thanks, ive had this on my neck forever (wire-ish and flat hairs), ive noticed No bbs helps but felt wierd not shaving even. Hearing this helps alot, good advice from an actual M.D. is invaluble.

Thanks for all the advice. I already do use cold water to shave and it has helped with irritation, but the bumps still appear 5 minutes after shaving. My neck hairs grow in every direction. It is not possible to map, they literally grow in 4 different directions every square inch. I guess using the straight above the neck will have to do. I have already scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist.

I have always thought my issues stemmed from having an Irish mother and a Jewish father. The sensitive Irish skin mixed with coarse and curly hair does not bode well for shaving.

Originally Posted by Casey1991

Thanks for all the advice. I already do use cold water to shave and it has helped with irritation, but the bumps still appear 5 minutes after shaving. My neck hairs grow in every direction. It is not possible to map, they literally grow in 4 different directions every square inch. I guess using the straight above the neck will have to do. I have already scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist.

Casey1991,

While you may well have some PFB, bumps that appear that soon after a shave ARE NOT due to PFB. PFB bumps and pimples require time for the hairs to grow into the skin, and that takes much longer than 5 minutes.

Those bumps that appear do soon after shaving are an indication of some sort of simple irritation. Shaving too close is still high on my list. The Dermatologist should be able to help clear this up (pun intended). Good luck!