Thread: Healing time, enlongating the learning curve

I was wondering about "Face Healing"?? I am a classic Newbie[I hope!] and do from time to time put small cuts and the occasional gash's in the 'ol face while useing my str8. I take it all in stride and do spend a lot of time working on concentration, angle, consistant and light touch, ect/et alia, all the advice this fine site has to offer!!! But at time's I find some bit of time, sometimes 2 - 3 day's off shaving with my str8 for my face to heal. Is this unusual for newbies?? I think maybe I do spend to much time looking to get that BBS shave we all aspire to, and that can translate to way to many Bloody Pass's[pun intended] unit the crimsen comes. I would like another perspective on this.
Thank you in advance for the advice that follows!!!
I am NOT detered, and WILL get it right!!

I haven't had any significant cuts in some time, but your heal time sounds about right, for the cuts to completely go away.

Depending how the severity I wouldn't shave for a couple days over that region, as not to set it off again, and I'd use an antibiotic at night until the cut closed, then a dab of Vitamin E to avoid scaring until I don't see the mark anymore.

Keep at it, and the frequency of these cuts goes down very quickly. Just be sure to avoid distractions...like singing along to your favorite song while shaving.

I had the same thing when I started. I jumped in whole hog, and had a few spots that needed to be left to heal. I usually only needed one day off between shaves. I found that i kept going when I shouldn't have and that caused most of the problems. just do one or two passes at most, and if you miss a spot, leave it. besides, if you have good prep, you will be quite smooth once your skin dries, even if it doesn't feel like it right off.
one thing that helps is a good healing balm, even just vitamin E or Aloe vera everyday, even if you don't shave, to speed up healing
I'm still very much a newbie, so I know exactly where you are at.

as a beside. the font and italics make it a little hard to read your post.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of antibiotic ointments and what not unless I have a cut that I 'expect' to get infected without it. This applies to all sorts or cuts, not just razor cuts.

A shaving cut is a cut with a clean, sharp tool, on skin that has just been washed with soap, and probably has a nice thick layer of soap sitting on it, on a part of the body that isn't likely to be touching contaminated serfaces.

I've always found that minor cuts heal fastest for me when I treat them with a little LITFA. (Leave It The Fudge Alone)

YMMV

2;3 days is not a long time to heal depending on the severity.
Slight 'weepers' should be history right after shaving or at least overnight.
An alternative skin healer is Calendula tincture - a little added to your aftershave is a convenient way to apply it.
It is also bacteriostatic & when suitably diluted gives almost immediate relief to burns.

Another newbie here with a need for the occasional healing break (maybe not as occasional as I'd like). For me it is usually one day off but probably would be better with two days. I'm just impatient, probably explaining a good percentage of my mishaps!

I use an alum block after shaving. This of course helps close up the weepers and small nicks but it is also a decent antiseptic (so I have heard). I have never had any trouble with infection and things seem to heal quickly, probably due to the "precision of the incision". .

My first few shaves looked like a band of rabid cats attacked my face. Even now, one razor I have with an especially sharp corner, will nick me every time. I agree with the thought that being cut with a super sharp edge on wet, soapy skin probably won't cause an infection. I merely dab it with a styptic pencil and keep shaving. I also use Bay Rum aftershave, which I think has some antiseptic properties. The hot towel wrap before the shave helps me a lot.

Yes, there's quite a learning curve, but you can do it. Take your time, relax, and go one pass at a time.

Sorry about the font thing, I actualy thought it might be easier to read, chalk it up to my very LONG learning curve!!

Thanks!! , tinkersd