Some irritation

Hello all. I am new to SR shaving and I am about 6-7 shaves into my journey. I am experiencing some slight irritation on the sides of my chin just down from my mouth on the sides. This seems to be the area I am struggling with the most when I shave. It's my most wire like whiskers and I am having trouble finding the blade angle and direction that works best as of yet. I'm curious if there might be something I could do pre shave in anticipation of irritation in this area. It seems fine for a day but then I get these little white head bumps here and there where it starts to grow back. I currently do a ritual of shower strop, lather , hot towel 3 min, lather, shave , cold water splash, witch hazel, Aqua Belva after shave. I know it has more to do with the learning curve of hitting that area properly but is there anything else I can do to help it. Everywhere else is coming up aces no problems. Thanks

X,

A lot has to do with the learning curve. Keep your pressure light. Around the chin, lower your angle and use buffing strokes. Try not to go for a perfect shave for the time being; go more for comfort. Don't forget to stretch, and limit your strokes in one specific area. What's more, your skin is still getting used to the straight shave. Take your time and you'll get there.

Yes, ease up on the pressure and stretch your skin if you are not already doing it. Regardless of beard type the stubble around the chin is some of the toughest on anyones face. That is where I notice stubble regrowing the soonest. You will eventually get it, just takes time and some experimenting.

Bob

Angle and pressure as stated above. All great advice.

It is real easy to flatten out the razor near the jawline which scrapes skin instead of shaving hair.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but for me it was true - switching from soaps to creams removed pretty much all irritation. Not sure if it's just me or what, but that's my story.

I would also suggest you just used WTG passes and see if that helps. I've been at this for three years or so and still get irritation on the lower half of my cheeks if I use ATG there. I can go every direction everywhere else.

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Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

I hate to sound like a broken record, but for me it was true - switching from soaps to creams removed pretty much all irritation. Not sure if it's just me or what, but that's my story.

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Switching to cream is something I'm going to try. Actually I was planning on going out today to get some. I have looked other postings but there are so many suggestions on what to use. What do you use? I just got done with my best shave to date! I stroped the razor with some chrom and really livened up the edge. Still though everywhere else is great but the same spot described is a little irritated. I really worked the soap to try to develop a better lather but I really feel it is still lacking.

What soap are you using?

Bob

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Originally Posted by Xtrmln

Switching to cream is something I'm going to try. Actually I was planning on going out today to get some. I have looked other postings but there are so many suggestions on what to use. What do you use? I just got done with my best shave to date! I stroped the razor with some chrom and really livened up the edge. Still though everywhere else is great but the same spot described is a little irritated. I really worked the soap to try to develop a better lather but I really feel it is still lacking.

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Trufitt and Hill creams are great. I really like ToB Eton and Luxury cream. Castle Forbes

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Originally Posted by BobH

What soap are you using?

Bob

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Currently just using a VDH soap that came in a set my wife gave me

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Originally Posted by Xtrmln

Currently just using a VDH soap that came in a set my wife gave me

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Never used VDH but quite a few on here do. It could be that you are not getting the best lather that the soap can give you. Soaps are harder to learn how to create a good lather from than creams are. In either case if you get the lather right it goes a long way to reducing irritation. Going to a cream might make a difference being easier to lather.

Bob

Well I'm going to give jack black shaving cream a try for my next shave. It was that or the art of shaving at my local store. The art seemed way overpriced for a very small amount. Once again I'm just waiting for my beard to grow out so I can shave again.

If you are getting little pimples you maybe contaminating your blade with something. Wipe your strop with a moist cloth to get dust and other partials off you might not be able to see. Strop that razor on some linen after honing to get any lose micro partials of metal off they might cause a pimple.