Thread: ingrown hair nightmare

Two things that worked for me: (1) not overstretch the skin, as it can apparently cause the "cut below skin level" effect; (2) use http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...e-dermo-k.html both for prevention and reaction.

Good luck,
Robin

If you are getting ingrown whiskers as a result of shaving you are
not alone.

Since each face is different you will need to experiment.

• One common error is trying for a BBS.
• Another is shaving against the grain.
• Another is product reaction: aftershave, fragrance...
• The most common is sanitation.

When you are shaving you scrape the protective surface
of your skin off and expose it to bacteria and other stuff.
Limit your shaving passes to a basic systematic once over
and then a touch up for the bits you obviously missed. Too
many passes in the hunt for a BBS will give many of us a rash.

Shaving against the grain only works well for difficult faces when
the stars, soap, lather and blade align. I recommend shaving
across the grain because that is what works for my problem
spots.

Product reaction is real for some. I cannot use most aftershaves
and fragrance rich products. When I buy a soap or other product
I start with the fragrance free versions and if that is a good shave
I venture into the rest of the line. I have tossed most products
my girlfriend found for me at Macy's and the like, but not all.

Sanitation is often overlooked. Always use a clean towel, not yesterdays
wadded up on the floor towel.

Switch to a razor with a single cutting edge. Cheep BiC and Schick, are a bargain IMO. I like old time double edge razors but they are hard to find. And yes a str8 can do wonders for some but requires a learning curve. Lots of guys had full beards for a reason in history. If you drive a manual shifter by choice like I do then a str8 may be for you.

Skip the double, tripple, quadruple cutters the market wants to push at you they just shave some of us too close.

Believe it or not most of this stuff by Shick at this link is good info
if you dial back the product specific bits.
http://www.schick.com/tips/default.asp
For example apply a thick layer of lather is near bogus unless
you are selling it by the gooey can. You do want a layer of lather
that keeps your whiskers wet and helps you see where you have
shaved. Read the whole article, some of the hints for women
apply to men with problems beards. Especially the bit
about giving the skin a full 30 min to rest after shaving.

BiC has good info too:
Shavers FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about BIC Shavers
Scan down to the line "If you suffer from razor bumps or ingrown hairs (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or PFB)," I must admit to keeping a handful of the classic BIC® shaver under the sink for days when I need to calm down this old mans face because I failed to lather, hone, strop or otherwise do my bit well the day before.

If this is what you are seeing, it runs the full spectrum from my modest Irish/ Polish roots swirled bad spots to a more extensive problem for others. The most common solution is to dial back the shave and let the face mend. Then shave gently and correctly without irritating products.

The Army has even seen this issue as a problem.
http://www.mamc.amedd.army.mil/refer...s/derm_pfb.htm

Learning to lather is important....!

Originally Posted by salazch

i looked into some of the stuff that you recommended, like the proraso. There are lots of different kinds, so how do i know what to get?
So from what you said it sounds like the issue is more like the skin being damaged and the hair not being properly softened. The thing that I found with normal razors is that they pull the hair and cut below the skin so the hair gets stuck while trying to grow out. Since straight razors cut at the skin level (even while stretching the skin and cutting against the grain) I assume that there will not be any problems with the hair getting stuck trying to grow back in. Am I right?

salazch,

Yes...You are correct. I believe your skin is damaged and your beard is not properly softened before shaving. Additionally, the current razor you are using may not be properly cutting/removing your whiskers.

As for your other questions...There is only one Proraso pre-shave. It comes in a small jar and can be found online at many of your better wet shaving internet merchants. Taylor of Old Bond Street also has a herbal gel pre-shave that allegedly has a formulation with both antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities. Look at both of them and decide which one you want to try.

As for a shaving cream, consider the Proraso Aloe and Green Tea. It is made specifically for sensitive skin and has the conistency of a shaving soap. To use it you will need to purchase a a shaving brush, which needn't be real expensive and can also be purchased online or at your local drugstore. Many online shaving stors also sell Thayer's Witch Hazel, a popular astringent among wet shavers. You can also purchase generic witch hazel at your local drugstore.

When you purchase your pre-shave and shave cream, give serious consideration to purchasing a quality DE razor such as a Merkur Classic or HD straight bar. Like a str8 razor, they don't, as you say, pull the face hair and cut it off below the skin. They provide relatively close shaves with just one or two passes across your face and the blades are a lot cheaper in the long run than multi-blade cartridges. They are also cheaper, initially, than a quality str8 razor. I would try one of them first to address your shaving issues before taking the plunge into str8 razor shaving.

Remember...A str8 razor is not a magic remedy or silver bullet for all skin problems. If none of the remedies I or other SRP members have suggested work, you may even want to consider a visit to a dermatologist before taking the plunge into str8 rzor shaving.

Take care...

I've seen lots of videos on the web and this site where the guy doing the video will only shave against the grain and will say that its BBS without going against the grain. I've never been able to do this with a normal razor. So can stra8 do this that well?

It sounds like you suffer badly, as i do when i shave too close. You can do an awful lot to minimise things, & straights can be a huge step toward this, but if you go ATG you'll probably still suffer. I found that i just had to accept that there was such a thing as too close. I still look well shaved, but I can feel stubble when I drag drag my hand ATG.

Thanks for the info. It has helped. So here is where I'm at. I'm getting close shaves without even going against the grain. My hair is not growing ingrown, I left it above the skin just to make sure. There was no irritation at all for the first 24 hrs, and I don't have any ingrowns. But at the base of each hair the skin is red. It hurts if I run my hand against the grain. Typically I only feel/see this if I go clean against the grain. I did proper prep and took it slow. Fresh blade, no drag. No cuts.
Any ideas?

Sounds like razor burn. It'll calm down as you work on your pressure and angle.