Thread: Can all of us go ATG?

Originally Posted by Leon

Although I look nice with a WTG pass and a XTG pass!...

You're extremely lucky... it would take a lot more than that to make me look nice.

As the others have said ATG is the hardest... getting your skin tight enough to allow the razor to skim over it seems to be the hard part.

For ATG on my cheeks use the same grip as WTG and just allow the razor to turn down 90deg... can you picture what i mean?

I dont really worry about ATG around my mouth and chin... gave myself dovo smile lines trying to get that right.

But the technique i tried to explain above gets me to within an inch strip on my chin anyway... so close enough for everyday use.

Greg Frazer

Beyond the sensitive skin (which I have as well, and in abundance ) the only thing I did to prevent the severe redness and irritation was the constant practice, and learning how to do the ATG properly. After that was down pat, the redness and irritation almost disappeared. If it does hang around, it isn't for much longer than 1-2 hours.

I've been at it for about six months and a 3 pass WTG-XTG-ATG shave is the norm for me. I found that as my skin stretching improved, my first two passes improved substantially. I'm getting very close to BBS smooth on my first two passes which is making the final ATG pass very easy and comfortable.

Apart from that, make sure that razor is sharp and smooth and ensure that you have good lather. If you start feeling a little dry as you shave, re-lather. Moisture is your friend (not to imply that lather should be thin and runny).

Leon,
For me, I need an ATG in the goatee area to get a nice looking shave and the real secret was to have an edge that is really keen. I first bought a "shave ready" razor and it really was - but not sharp enough for my wirey beard. It would jump and skip especially ATG. My key was to pick up some .5micron and .25micron diamond paste. This enabled a hone challenged newish guy to get that super keen edge that makes the ATG possible for me. Also, after a lot of experimentation, I realized that I didn't need to go ATG on the cheeks just WTG and XTG looked nice and didn't rough up the skin like ATG can. On my neck, chin and 'stache area, it's necessary, though. A lot of facial yoga and hair growth study helped me too. Good luck!

I usually don't need to go ATG on my cheeks, but I do on my neck and under my jaw. Besides getting the technique down, I found that it took a while for my skin to get used the ATG pass. I started slowly, maybe going ATG twice a week. After my skin calmed down, I could do it more often. Now its everyday. Try it and see how it goes.

Jordan

Interesting comments regarding no lather for ATG.
I find I want my lather sufficiently thinned by the ATG.

I find that I have to go ATG for my ann's apple area.
I find the area problematic, I get a better angle, and it only needs one pass atm.

Its funny you guys mentioning the ATG pass without lather, i do a 3 pass shave WTG-XTG-ATG then a polishing pass where i use just hot water. i go ATG but with super short strokes.