Thread: ingrown hair nightmare

The bane of my existence for many years has been ingrown hairs. I have tried every single razor on the market and nothing works. I have tried hot showers, face cleansers, everything. I'm fine if I shave with the grain, but face it that does not provide a baby butt close shave. If it go against the grain I get ingrowns and zits galore and they hurt for days, preventing me from shaving for about a week.
Will a straight razor help with this? I really want to shave against the grain so i can get a close shave, but i'm afraid that will never be possible.
Any ideas?

A straight and proper prep has a great chance of helping. There are plenty of people it has me being one.

Comparing a straight shave to a cartridge is like comparing a Mastro Livi Damascus to a Zeepk ! I rarely if ever get serious ingrowns w/ a str8--with a cartridge, my whole neck was a mess. Prep is also important too. Just hang around this forum & you'll find a method that works for you.

does the Uberlather help with reducing drag on the skin? I use different shave creams and gels and they soften the hair, but they tend to dry out quickly.

salazch,

First, I would have to say that your situation may require more than just proper beard preaparation and a change of razors. I can't say for certain, though, given the limited amount of information you provided.

That being said, I would also have to say that your attempt to achieve a bbs shave with improper shaving equipment may be at least part of your problem. My own experience with many of the multi-blade razors on the market was much like yours--ingrown hairs, pimples, etc. I took hot showers, used face cleaners, etc. for decades. All to no avail. However, when I switched to a DE last fall all of those skin problems abated--or at least they are less noticeable to me now. The improvement of the condition of my skin with the DE is what inspired me to take the next step--purchasing and using a str8 razor.

It wasn't just the change in equipment that brought about this change, though. It was a change in my habits with, as Don pointed out, proper preparation of the face for shaving after watching Mantic59's YouTube shaving videos. From what you have described, the skin on your face is traumatized from your numerous, continued attempts to achieve a bbs shave. Lighten up and take the time to properly prepare your face and beard for a shave. Soak your beard to soften your whiskers after you get out of the shower. Use a pre-shave such as Pro-raso to further soften your beard, followed by a hot towel. Apply a moistening shave cream or soap. Apply another hot towel. Apply some more shave cream. Then shave. Don't aim for a bbs shave at first, just a decent shave with the proper equipment--either a DE or a str8 razor. (My preference, if you haven't tried it yet, would be a DE razor because they have less of a learning curve than a str8 razor.) After the condition of your skin has improved, you can then attempt to achieve the ever closer shaves that are to your liking. Do so with the proper equipment, though whether that is with a DE or a professionally honed, shave-ready str8 razor.

After shaving follow up with a splash of cold water on your face and/or a non-alcohol, fragrance-free astringent such as witch hazel to your face to close the pores. Then apply an aftershave balm.

Beleive me, all of the previously described steps involving pre-shave preaparation and post-shave skin care won't solve your problem overnight, but given time your face may show improvement.

Take care...Hoping that these suggestions will be helpful to you.

Let us know how things turn out.

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?

I use to use a Mach 3. Since this razor pull and cuts, then drops the hair back into the pore, I would develop ingrown hairs and a pimple that took many days to go away. Life sucked, so I switched to straight shaving and these problems went away.

Yes, decent equipment is important, but to keep your cost low, start with disposable straight razors, but get some shaving soap designed for straight shavers along with a badger brush.

Just go with the grain to start out to see how that goes. If all goes well, then add some XTG passes. If that goes well, add some XTG/Near ATG passes.

Try not to get too ambitious and take it one small step at a time and build upon your success. With this blade, you are cutting along the surface and not below it. Everyone is different and you need to find your comfort zone.

Good Luck,

Pabster

Proper prep + straight shaving will likely do a lot for your ingrowns. It's a primary reason I switched from cartridge to DE and then from DE to straight. DE cuts down a lot, too, but even moreso with a straight. Every now and again I'll have one pop up, but it's pretty seldom.

Also, you may want to think about incorporating witch hazel, alum or both into your aftershave routine. I can vouch for the witch hazel. I haven't used an alum block in a good while, but from what others have said, it keeps the ingrowns to an absolute minimum. May have to pick another one up here soon.

so you use witch hazel as an aftershave? ok by its self?

Originally Posted by salazch

so you use witch hazel as an aftershave? ok by its self?

Yep, but it's only part of my aftershave routine. If you're like any of us, you end up going through quite a few different WHs, splashes, balms, etc., before you find your favorite products that work the best for your face.

You can still use it by itself, though. It's gentle in general and is ideal for guys with sensitive and acne-prone skin.