I am a noob too - very much so - but the biggest difference I found - and something that I underestimated until recently - was STTRRREEEEEETCH that skin. I mean really stretch it. I keep a facecloth by the side of the sink to wash the soap off my fingers after every stroke now to give me some grip to stretch the skin - always from BEHIND the edge of course.

Maybe you already are - but I get BBS from a downward stroke after discovering just how important that point is.

Cheers

Si