Thread: Making Progress

Hey fellas. I have been doing better with my shaves. They aren't bbs yet but I am nicking myself less and less. I am having one problem though. I am a lefty and I am having some redness and irritation on the right side of my face after the shave. I have been giving myself a day or two between shaves to let my skin rest but it still seems to get irritated during the shave. Any suggestions for relief?

Thanks,
Gabe

Hi, Gabe,

Originally Posted by Ramusico

Any suggestions for relief?

Are you using both hands for both parts of your face? In any event, irritation is usually down to:

• lack of face preparation
• dull razor
• wrong blade angle
• overstretching
• some other stuff

Care to give us a bit more detail?

Thanks!
Robin

Oh sure Berlin. I always shave after the shower. I use Art Of Shaving products. I have been using two blades that I got in the classifieds. A torrey full hollow and a Frederick Reynolds 6/8 which I used today. I always strop before shaving, I try at least. Their sharpness is ok i guess. They shave but I need to get one honed by Lynn so I can set the bar for sharpness.

I noticed i was streching too much under the chin and I have been trying to be careful of my pressure on the neck. BTW none of my blades pass the HHT. I know it's not very reliable but I just thought I'd through that in there.

Thanks

I am assuming you shave with just the left hand, and go crosshand on the right. If only the right side gets irritated, then it is likely technique as everything else, pre-shave prep, lather, sharpness, would be equal. Mind your angle, pressure and skin stretchin on the right side.

I'm pretty new too and am having trouble with my left side (being a righty). However, like is suggested I'm trying to learn to use both hands. Even though it's hard at first, it's getting easier and easier for me and I can see vast improvements in shave quality as a result. Even as a newbie myself I see the advantage of this already and would suggest you try to learn to use both hands if possible.

I think in a wiki or forum post out there someone put suggestions on how to practice / prep using your off hand for such things. Getting used to the feel of the blade in your other hand was one of those suggestions. I don't remember them so you might want to poke around for that if you do decide to try it.

Whichever side you shave first, (which is maybe the left), switch and shave the other side first. Possibly, you are stropping between sides and that is doing something? (I'm guessing wildly.)

like the other members have said. it will take time using both hands, i still have some trouble with my left hand since i am right handed, it does get easier with time..good luck