May have a new convert -- tough beard, sensitive skin

My 24 year old son, who is a LTJG in the Coast Guard, just spent a night here on his way to his next assignment in New York.

Last night after dinner he was complaining the his Mach xxx gives him a terrible irritation and razor bumps on his neck, particularly his neck. He has a fairly dense and wiry beard, which I think causes him to work too hard a getting perfectly smooth with pressure and multiple passes with the cartridge razor. I suggested he try a DE. When he said yes, I ran to my "back-up stash" and gave him a Parker DE that I used when I was first re-entering the DE world and a sampler of blades, as well as a brush and sample of Proraso cream. I also ordered him some Proraso white to be shipped to him.

I gave him some brief lessons including the suggestion to let the razor do the work and use almost no pressure. He tried the razor this morning and ran over a bump or two, but no real blood-letting. Hopefully things will calm down for him when he adjusts to the differences.

If you have any suggestions for sensitive skin prep and soaps, as well as post shave blame, I'd appreciate them to pass on. I have a hide like a rhino, so I have no experience with sensitive skins products.

My youngest son has fairly sensitive skin. I picked up an after shave balm made locally. It is beeswax based so has antiseptic properties. Seems to have helped a lot.

I use and would recommend Neutrogena face scrub, Neutrogena shave balm and Neutrogena after shave balm. Van der Hagen shaving soap is not an irritant. Good thing about those products are that AAFES and commissary carry them.

OldTraf
Wannabe honemeister

I use the Dickinson Witch Hazel or Thayer's after every shave, 10 minutes later a balm if I need it. Try witch hazel it's great for inflamed or swelling problems.

All the above may work for him. An alum block or the commonly available solid Thai "crystal" deodorant stick may also reduce infection and toughen his skin over a short time when applied after the water rinse while the skin is still wet. The ingredients of the two blocks are close to the same. they both make a good grip on a razor when the fingers are rubbed on a damp one. They are both an anti-fungal and anti bacterial and have been used for centuries on the skin. Laural leaves / bay leaves/ Bay Rum is also a long used anti fungal and anti bacterial agent also, as witch hazel.
Cheap too!
~Richard

I use an alum block after every shave too, the alum block,,,wait 5 minutes,,,wet dab it off,,,,witch hazel,,,10 minutes later, the balm or aftershave.

Give a straight a try. A DE with a good blade is pretty good but a straight is better.