Thread: Ingrown hair problem

I started shaving with a straight razor because I have always had problems with ingrown hairs. But I still find that every time I shave I get ingrown hairs in two spots on my beard, below the corners of my mouth and on my neck below my jaw.

Shaving against the grains seems to make the problem worse, but I feel like I have to shave ATG to get a close shave. The only thing that seems to help is the constant application of moisturizer in the areas where I get the ingrown hairs.

Does anyone have any advice?

Stop shaving against the grain. Across the grain should be sufficient particularly in the areas you are talking about. If you need it closer, take another across the grain pass.

Try alum some here say it helps

thanks for the replies...

What is it about shaving XTG that causes ingrown hairs? And why does the application of moisturizer help with the ingrown hairs?

I was reading some of the other threads and some people said the more they shave, the less ingrown hairs they get, is this true?

I do believe your face has to get used to being shaved with a straight, and when I first started it was recommended to me that I only go with the grain for at least a week. After that, I started going across the grain, but didn't go against for about a month. Even now, I find that if there is a part of my face that I don't shave regularly (i.e. if I grow a goatee for a while), suddenly going across or against can leave irritation.

In addition, going across and against the grain requires a better lather and shave technique. In short, I'd say you should build up to it. That worked for me, so I suggest it to others.

I do find that shaving regularly reduces ingrown hairs, and my personal theory is that shaving exfoliates the shaved areas, and that reduces the occurance of ingrown hairs. I would assume that balms and moisturizers also reduce ingrown hairs by softening the skin and making it easier for the hairs to find their way out.

I'm just a newb myself to straights (and the forum, 2nd post), but what i find works for disposables has worked for me for the few times ive used a straight as well.

I don't know where I read this online, but somewhere I was told that if after shaving you take a soft to medium stiffness tootbrush (depending on the sensitivity of your skin) and rub (not too hard) in small overlapping circles (a la Karate Kid) on your just shaven areas, it will help to bring out the ends of the hairs. I don't know about the universal validity of this, but before i started doing it i had a lot of ingrown hairs on my neck below the jawline and now i have noticeably fewer.

I think I'll try that.
I too have issues with ingrowns, really doesn't seem like ATG, WTG, XTG makes any difference..

I also know what you mean about needing the ATG shave.. I do WTG occasionally as a "quick and dirty", but am never satisfied with the results.
Shaving WTG only leaves me with Norelco like stubble. Recently I have foud that I get the best, shave by far with ATG only.. no preliminary WTG or XTG.. Last night was my 3rd night straight with ATG only... It did result in some razor burn, and I didn't do it as perfectly as I have previously BUT my ingrowns do seem to be reducing overall.

Some people report they can get perfect shaves WTG only.. Maybe I need more practice.. or maybe skin/beard types are just that much different. I have a friend who barely grows any facial hair and I'm sure he could get an excellent shave with WTG only... I have a very full beard that left to its own devices comes right up to the very top of my cheek bones. (less than an inch below my eye)

Wow, that's a serious beard. Congrats.

I used to get inbeards in the area next to my ear. I found some years ago that after the normal beard softening process (prep), if I splashed my face quickly with cold water prior to applying lather the problem disappeared. Why, I have no real idea .

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I used to get inbeards in the area next to my ear. I found some years ago that after the normal beard softening process (prep), if I splashed my face quickly with cold water prior to applying lather the problem disappeared. Why, I have no real idea .

PuFF

Splashing cold water on your face closes and tightens up your pores, which is known to help with ingrown hairs. Also make sure to always start with a WTG pass as this is known to reduce ingrown hairs. I have some experience with using alum blocks and find it favorable. The best thing by far though is a good aftershave balm to assist your skin in healing post shave.


Patrick