Thread: Who is more stubborn...Man or Whiskers?

I have a question...
Most of my facial hair grows downwards or straight outwards. Althought one area on my jaw under the left ear grows towards the ear.
I have this idea that if I just keep shaving it downwards it will eventually grow downwards.
So, am I just being stupidly stubborn??
Will the whiskers back down eventually or am doing a no-no?

I have been shaving for 45 years now and my whiskers haven't changed direction in that time...

No, your whiskers won't change direction, that requires the follicles to shift position, which is rather unlikely. I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it.

It's not necessarily a bad thing though, if your whiskers point in the opposite direction to that which the razor is moving in, it's easier for the razor to get under them and cut them, although that can result in a bit of irritation at first.

My whiskers point in some rather odd directions, so I do a WTG, XTG and ATG pass with my cartidge razor in order to get the smoothest shave I can. Can't wait for my straights to come in the mail so I can compare shaves to the cartridge - I get a pretty good shave doing that with my trusty Mach 3.

Your hair will probably never change the direction is will grow in but.... your shaving technique will. I remember when I had this same issue. Once I was able to shave XTG or up my neck and was comfortable with it, one day, while having skin stretched tight and my mouth under my opposite ear I just moved the tip of the blade up the back of my neck and under my earlobe and up around the back of my jaw and the problem was solved. You will be able to do this soon but don't rush it. Keep up the good work.

Ray

I agree with all the above, the whiskers will win in the end, they refuse to change!! Funny thing is, before I got into straight shaving, I didn't even know what direction my whiskers grew. I just whizzed the electric around as it ate up my poor face.

Almost 40 years of shaving (started at 13) and they are still growing the same direction. They do seem to be getting more wiry and coarse though.

Originally Posted by mosley59

No, your whiskers won't change direction, that requires the follicles to shift position

So what you need is a bent paperclip, or does that only work with windshield washer nozzles?

Oh, everyone seem to agree on whiskers being the most stubborn.
Not what I wanted to hear, but probably what I needed to hear.

I'll try to change my technique and see what happens.
The paperclip solution seems a bit painfull though :S

Thanks for all the replies!