Thread: Face like burn victim

I've shaved three times and I'm getting a major case of razor burn. Is this part of the learning process? I may want to give my face a rest on Saturday to restore the skin before my next shave.
Is this normal? Is my skin sensitive? Any suggestions?

It's not unusual for a new straight user to get razor burn. Between techiques being learned and the fact that your skin needs to adjust to a new way of shaving. The day of rest will do you well, your techique and skin will improve.

Have you gotten razor burn with you other shaving methods ? Whether you have a truly shave ready razor and how much pressure you are using enters my mind. Preparation is very important.

Are you trying to get a shave in one pass ? Most all of the forum members recommend at least 2 or 3 passes to gradually remove the stubble. Any of these things could have something to do with your razor burn.

Do you feel like you're having to pass the razor across your face with any significant pressure on the blade other than the blade itself? A very light touch, letting the blade do the work is key. If you're feeling that you have to help the blade along in any significant way, then the razor is most likely not sharp enough.

Use very short, very light strokes.

Don't lift the spine of the razor too far off your face (too steep of an angle). Doing so scrapes your skin in addition to cutting the whiskers.

Practice, practice practice. You're learning a skill. Stay with it.

And......yes, give your face a rest for a few days.

Chris L

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Have you gotten razor burn with you other shaving methods ? Whether you have a truly shave ready razor and how much pressure you are using enters my mind. Preparation is very important.

Are you trying to get a shave in one pass ? Most all of the forum members recommend at least 2 or 3 passes to gradually remove the stubble. Any of these things could have something to do with your razor burn.

I had been getting razor burn with the Mach3 that I used before. The straight razor I use should not be a problem because I had it honed and prepared by Lynn. Most of the razor burn is in the difficult areas around the mouth and chin, so it may be a technique issue.
I use an aftershave balm made by Loreal. It helps moisturise the skin, but I still have areas of redness that are tender.

Its technique. There should be absolutely no razor burn with a straight razor. Use the correct angle, good prep, lots of light passes, and don't try to get super close while the beard is wet (it feels closer after the face dries).

Take a day of rest and don't try and shave any areas that are irritation ridden. Give them even more off days until you can diagnose the problem.

When I first started straight shaving, there was a day where it looked like I got in a slapping contest and lost in a serious way. It was a work day and the burn lasted all day!
My lesson learned: my technique sucked. Bad angle, too much pressure, did not get the concept of progressive beard removal... the list goes on and on.

Don't be discouraged. You will get it!!!

Yes it is not rare. There are many variables that need to be controlled. I just posted on a thread dealing with the "same" issue. I will give you the link: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post307423

Al raz.

You can try Nivea Extreme comfort after shave cream, it's very soothing, also, if you have any red spots, try some triple antibiotic oitment, or Hydrocortisone to help it heal faster. +1 on what Chris said about angle. There is a learning curve.

I had the exact same problem the first few times, but now it is much better. I posted this when I had trouble and I think/hope it can be useful to you also..It's sort of a newbs reflections on what this newb (me) did wrong and how to fix it at the end http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...19-heeelp.html

But practice is the key word also. I could also recomend Nivea's aftershave balm for sensitive skin that I find is great, it calmes the skin and helps against the burning sensation and redness.