Irritated Pores?

I have shaved with a straight for a little over a month now and have recently had the same recurring issue.

The pores on my face, and only in certain areas (a patch here, a patch there), have a reddish, irritated appearance.

It seems to be something other than razor burn since I experience no pain or any discomfort and it seems to persist throughout the day.

No one seems to notice the problem--including my wife who is always quick to point out a scratch or a nick or other flaw--but I notice it every time I glance into the mirror.

Anyone ever dealt with the same issue? Any treatments?

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Originally Posted by Rev

Anyone ever dealt with the same issue? Any treatments?

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Chin area. Less pressure, better prep, extreme attention to cutting angle.

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Chin area. Less pressure, better prep, extreme attention to cutting angle.

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Gosh, I have no idea how I can improve my prep. I shave after a hot shower, apply a hot towel afterward, apply my lather, strop, shave.

As for my cutting angle, I keep it as close to thirty degrees or less as possible, and with my ATG passes the blade is well nigh flat. Perhaps I should omit the ATG passes for a while.

I'll keep the pressure in mind, though; although I thought I used the lightest pressure possible. The blade almost slipped through my fingers this morning.

Thanks for the response!

And then there is always the issue of sharpness... :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rev

I have shaved with a straight for a little over a month now and have recently had the same recurring issue.

The pores on my face, and only in certain areas (a patch here, a patch there), have a reddish, irritated appearance.

It seems to be something other than razor burn since I experience no pain or any discomfort and it seems to persist throughout the day.

No one seems to notice the problem--including my wife who is always quick to point out a scratch or a nick or other flaw--but I notice it every time I glance into the mirror.

Anyone ever dealt with the same issue? Any treatments?

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I think I have something similar, if not the same. Granted I'm still pretty new to straights as well, but I've tried various angles to no avail. My shaves are painless and my skin is smooth afterwards. I think I had the same thing when I was using cartridge blades. I can't do against the grain and I usually go 2+ days before shaving again.

Weird thing is that my pores look fine on my chin, neck and head, which I also shave with a straight. I have no known allergies and I've tried unscented soaps and aftershaves. Hot shower beforehand and I'll usually condition my whiskers, I've been using olive oil as a preshave, my lather is creamy and warm and massaged on thoroughly, and I always finish with a cold rinse and witch hazel (unscented or rose). Maybe I'll try adjusting angles again as last time I consciously experimented with that was when I first started out.

As a general rule I will;

- shave
- wash face with water
- dry face completely
- wet face lightly with water
- rub alum block over shaved area
- wait at least 60 seconds (usually while I clean up and put stuff away)
- wash face with water
- dry face completely
- apply some kind of moisturiser/skin food

The alum block is what takes my skin back to its normal self. The moisturiser takes the "raw" feeling out of my face.

Usually within 20 - 30 mins you wouldnt know I have shaved (and I have massive allergies and skin reactions to shaving).

Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by wedwards

As a general rule I will;

- shave
- wash face with water
- dry face completely
- wet face lightly with water
- rub alum block over shaved area
- wait at least 60 seconds (usually while I clean up and put stuff away)
- wash face with water
- dry face completely
- apply some kind of moisturiser/skin food

The alum block is what takes my skin back to its normal self. The moisturiser takes the "raw" feeling out of my face.

Usually within 20 - 30 mins you wouldnt know I have shaved (and I have massive allergies and skin reactions to shaving).

Hope that helps.

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I use an alum block as well, and still the problem persists.

There could be a lot of things causing this. First of did you have it before the straight. 2nd did you change any thing else when you switched to a straight. I am pretty knowledgeable in the skin care arena but need more info? more the better.

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Originally Posted by Don

There could be a lot of things causing this. First of did you have it before the straight. 2nd did you change any thing else when you switched to a straight. I am pretty knowledgeable in the skin care arena but need more info? more the better.

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No, I never had the condition before using the straight. The only thing I changed when I went to the straight was the length of time I spend prepping.

If I examine my pores up close they have a slight, ever so slight raised look to them. The hair, though, is visible and above the skin. Otherwise I would assume I had ingrown hairs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rev

No, I never had the condition before using the straight. The only thing I changed when I went to the straight was the length of time I spend prepping.

If I examine my pores up close they have a slight, ever so slight raised look to them. The hair, though, is visible and above the skin. Otherwise I would assume I had ingrown hairs.

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I just reread your post, you mention this is almost unnoticeable to others so I assume it is a very light. I would lean toward a light razor burn. Which its called razor burn but does not have to hurt matter of fact most razor burns will not hurt unless you get yourself good. I tested a Livi the other day thats edge was much more aggressive then I thought and I got a little burn on my lower neck where I tend to get a burn if I am going to and it is what you described never hurts though like you said.
Razor burn is typically from pressure not angle. As you work your blade you might be light in one place but the other edge of the blade might be to much do to your face not being flat and the blade being 3 inches long.
I would give them time to heal and go away completely before you shave them again.
Continue your routine(to rule out any allergy) just do not shave that area or shave at all.
Then when gone shave that area first with the front of the blade nice and flat and light pressure and see if it returns.

Good Luck

Assuming the blade is sharp because it is a isolated problem and you did not mention shaving issues else where

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

I just reread your post, you mention this is almost unnoticeable to others so I assume it is a very light. I would lean toward a light razor burn. Which its called razor burn but does not have to hurt matter of fact most razor burns will not hurt unless you get yourself good. I tested a Livi the other day thats edge was much more aggressive then I thought and I got a little burn on my lower neck where I tend to get a burn if I am going to and it is what you described never hurts though like you said.
Razor burn is typically from pressure not angle. As you work your blade you might be light in one place but the other edge of the blade might be to much do to your face not being flat and the blade being 3 inches long.
I would give them time to heal and go away completely before you shave them again.
Continue your routine(to rule out any allergy) just do not shave that area or shave at all.
Then when gone shave that area first with the front of the blade nice and flat and light pressure and see if it returns.

Good Luck

Assuming the blade is sharp because it is a isolated problem and you did not mention shaving issues else where

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Thanks Don!

I will give you yet another morning report.

(I made the decision last night to forgo shaving this morning, but the urge was too irresistible. Ah, addiction.)

This morning I decided to scrub my face with a lufah while in the shower. Afterward I then followed my same routine; only this time I used two passes instead of my usual three (WTG and ATG), using the lightest pressure possible.

I went at a very methodical, deliberate pace just to ensure my pressure and angle were correct.

I then followed the steps wedward listed above, and the change this morning is quite noticeable.

Yes, my pores have a reddish hue, but the redness is much fainter today than yesterday.

I think the use of the lufah and lighter pressure--at times too light!--coupled with only two passes with the blade made all the difference in the world.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rev

Thanks Don!

I will give you yet another morning report.

(I made the decision last night to forgo shaving this morning, but the urge was too irresistible. Ah, addiction.)

This morning I decided to scrub my face with a lufah while in the shower. Afterward I then followed my same routine; only this time I used two passes instead of my usual three (WTG and ATG), using the lightest pressure possible.

I went at a very methodical, deliberate pace just to ensure my pressure and angle were correct.

I then followed the steps wedward listed above, and the change this morning is quite noticeable.

Yes, my pores have a reddish hue, but the redness is much fainter today than yesterday.

I think the use of the lufah and lighter pressure--at times too light!--coupled with only two passes with the blade made all the difference in the world.

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http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...98&pp=ZSman000

I don't do this all the time, but when I have a more severe razor burn or nick I apply a small amount of aquaphor healing ointment after shaving. Aquaphor is very soothing, and its cheap too. A one and three quarter ounce tube that will last months will set you back less than 5 bucks, and you can get it in just about any drugstore. Its basically vaseline and lanolin mixed together. It goes on much smoother and is less greasy than vaseline or antibiotic ointment. But if you put too much on and its too greasy for your liking, just blot off the excess with a clean towel enough will get into your skin to help. You can also put it on before bed and your skin will feel much better by the morning. There are no preservatives or fragrances in it. Lanolin allergies are extremely rare and there is no way you can be sensitive to the petrolatum. I also recommend it all the time to my patients with dry skin or eczema. The only contraindication to using it on the face is if you have acne. Try it and if it works, let us know in the thread, its always good to get feedback. Good luck!

Pete

Eucerin

Not my thread, but I was doing a search for the cursed eczema (the bane of my existence). I will try what I have seen that people use for after care (unfortunately, I research everything before I start).

Silly Question... What cream/soap are you using? This could be something as silly as your skin being sensitive to something in the cream/soap.


For example, I was having major itching problems on my neck only, no redness but it itched like mad, I finally realized it was that my skin doesn't like Poraso Shave cream. When I stopped using that the itch went away.

Yesterday grabbed a different brush that I hadn't used in a while, and forgot the last cream I used with that brush was Poraso, shaved with my TOBS sandlewood cream and today my neck itches like mad!! (Took some shampoo to the brush to clean it good)