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I have trouble with sensitive skin and superficial blood vessels (prone to razor burn and bleeding). I am currently using shave secret oil, toms of maine mint shave cream, a boker (my honing skills are amateur), and finish with cold water, thayers superhazel, and brut AS balm. Any suggestions?
I too suffer from sensitive skin. Some products (especially those with essestial oils) set my face on fire.
I've tried with varying degrees of success most of the usual more frugal choices such a witch hazel, aloe vera, etc. but I've never found anything that works for me as well as Trumpers Skin Food. They're REAL proud of the stuff price wise but a little goes a long way and it's worth it to me to spend around $5 a month for the way it makes my face feel...and as a bonus when you're done with your face you can rub the excess on your arms and make your suntan last without peeling. :D
Skin food is very mild, but I don't like the price or that it tends to leave my skin a little tacky afterwards.
I would agree that some essential oils cause irritation but look out more for fragrance oils(artificial) which can be much more aggressive.
I use american crew after shave balm, it is fairly mild and is a good moisturiser.
Bad honing can definately be a cause of irritation. Do you find it less irritating with a razor hone by someone else?
Technique is probably a big factor in irritation - I cannot do direct ATG without big problems. Try just doing WTG passes for a bit to see how it affects your skin.
Strop lots and keep that razor as sharp as you can get it. I do 60 laps on leather before every shave and sometimes precede that with a dozen or more laps on the linen.
X
Maybe chose another soap without mint.
I never tried Brut balm, but other scented balms set my face on fire. Maybe try the Nivea for sensitive skin.
I have quite a selection of balms but find that one of my most inexpensive is always a contender, Nivea ASB for sensitive skin. I may not have the name exactly right but this stuff works great for me. Also, Proraso makes a nice ASB with vitamin E and Aloe Vera.
Don't worry about the name Steve, it changes in each country anyway.
Just take the white box :P
Most of what I would advise has been said already- its all good advice. In case anything has been missed i'll give you my 8 top tips. Apologies if I reiterate what anyone has already said.
1. Be sure your razor is shave-ready. Not 'factory honed', 'pre-sharpened' etc. Shave ready. :)
2. Pre-shave: Hot water to open the pores. This also relaxes the skin and will make a big difference.
3. Shave: Be careful not to use too much pressure. If the blade is as sharp as it should be it shouldnt need to be pressed to the face to cut the hair. Too much pressure will aggrevate the skin and you risk causing razor bumps. Pull the skin taught in the direction away from the direction you shave and shave gently.
4. Angle: You say your shave skills are amateur- we all started somewhere. Keep the faith and hang in there. Focus on your technique. You want the 30 degree angle to get the best shave.
5. If you have sensitive skin then dont go against the grain (ATG). Stick to 2 passes; with and across the grain (WTG and XTG repectively). If that is too much stick to one. Look after your skin first. Its more important than the closeness of your shave.
6. Post shave: Rinse first with HOT water to remove all remaining soap BEFORE you do anything else. That way when you rinse with COLD water which closes the pores there is nothing left in them. Hot water rinse, then cold water rinse
7. After rinsing, DONT use aftershave or anything that has alcohol in it. If you have cut yourself use an alum block or styptic pencil but dont apply anything with high alcohol content. Just cos it stings, doesnt make it good. Instead apply a moisturiser to replace the good oils you took off your skin when you shaved. Skin food is good too.
8. Above all, take time in your shave. Be careful and concentrate on technique. It will pay dividends.
:tu
Hope this helps.
Sandy
I too had problems with my skin... Even when I applied mild aftershave it burnt like hell and my skin went red... So I went to pharmacy and bought 99,9% Aloe vera gel... So, after two passes with my shavette, I apply 99,9% Aloe vera gel on recently shaved skin in two thin layers and then I use my "mild" aftershave...
Hope it helps...
Wow..thats a comprehensive list of do's and don'ts. I have found that sticking with #5 has helped me a lot. I started out doing only WTG passes. Now I am able to do a WTG followed by a XTG and get a decent shave. Tried an ATG and my face didn't like it all. So back to WTG and XTG passes.Quote:
Originally Posted by sidneykidney