Thread: Beginner With Sensitive Skin Seeking Straight Razor Advice

Hey everybody,

I'm new to the forums so here is a little background. I'm 21 and have been using electric shavers since I started shaving (about 7 years ago). I have gone through 2 Norelcos and when I started looking for the next one I started to do some thinking and research.

My problem is this: I have extremely sensitive skin. No matter how lightly or gently I shave, I get horrible shaver burn (redness, swelling, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and blood scabs). I know it may sound like I am butchering my face deliberately, but I am not. I have done everything I can to minimize irritation. I use a light touch; I use small gentle circular motions; I prep my face properly - nothing has ever helped. It is so bad that people ask if I have a dermatological condition. In short, I have had it with electric shavers. I also am appalled at the prices of new electric shavers that are labeled as perfect for sensitive skin (Braun comes to mind). Therefore, I started looking at other options and liked what I read about straight razors.

Can a guy with sensitive skin like mine achieve a close shave with no (or at least very little) irritation with a straight razor? If so, could you guys recommend to me which razors, brushes, creams, soaps, and aftershave lotions I should get?

Up to now, I've been looking at the Dovo and Thiers-Issard razors. Also, what type of Badger brush (pure, silvertip, etc.)? I've sort of limited myself to badger brushes since I figure that the boar or synthetic brushes might be too rough? Lastly, and maybe this is the most important part, what creams, soaps, and aftershaves should I consider? Are creams more gentle than soaps in general? I was looking at the Taylor of Old Bond Street Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream. Is there anything better out there? Also, how long would a tub (5.3 oz) of that last, on average (figuring shaving every other day)?

In terms of razor maintenance, how difficult is it to properly maintain a straight razor and what strops, hones, compounds are needed?

I know that this is a massive list of questions but you are reading the post of an aggravated (and irritated) guy who no longer wants to suffer (and also, believe it or not, to lose any more dates because of shaver burn). I'm looking for a better option and I hope you guys can show me the way.

All the best,

Michael

first welcome to the forum.

you can most definitely achieve a nice close shave without irritating your skin, but it'll take some practice. it takes a bit of time to get the technique right and for your skin to adjust.

i too have really sensitive skin, no matter if it was electric or cartridge i'd get lots of irritation from shaving. straight razors have made a huge difference with that.

dovos and thiers issard are very good razors to start with. i own 2 dovos and one TI and i love all three.

Hi Michael
Good to hear from you and welcome. I also have sensitive skin and for years shaved only every other day and often grew out my beard to allow my skin to recover.

I have found that skin prep is really important for comfort, and if you follow the hot towel threads you will get some overview on this. I also use not only shaving soap with a bursh but also first apply a thin coat of Alba Moisturizing Shaving Cream as a base just after the hot towel and before the soap. The hot towel softens and lifts the hair and the cream adds some glide to the razor. Also I only shave with the grain. good luck, Alx

P.S. Don't look for the closest shave at first, shaving is a skill and you will need to work up to it, but it will come. A

Originally Posted by alx

Hi Michael
Good to hear from you and welcome. I also have sensitive skin and for years shaved only every other day and often grew out my beard to allow my skin to recover.

I have found that skin prep is really important for comfort, and if you follow the hot towel threads you will get some overview on this. I also use not only shaving soap with a bursh but also first apply a thin coat of Alba Moisturizing Shaving Cream as a base just after the hot towel and before the soap. The hot towel softens and lifts the hair and the cream adds some glide to the razor. Also I only shave with the grain. good luck, Alx

P.S. Don't look for the closest shave at first, shaving is a skill and you will need to work up to it, but it will come. A

same here...but dont give up on the first couple of weeks or months

It's definitely worth a try. My skin is only ever so slightly sensative skin (with a thick, course beard) and electric razors turn my face such a bright, irritated red I could stand on a corner and stop traffic.

I believe they give the most aggressive, least skin-friendly shave you can get and have little doubt a straight -- or even a DE -- will provide you with much more pleasant and enjoyable results.

If you decide to try straights, I would suggest saving your money (to put toward a nice brush and some creams) by getting a SHAVE-READY Dovo or TI for under $80 at StraightRazorDesigns, a starter razor and strop set from RupRazor, or a razor or two (again, make sure it says shave-ready) from the classifieds here at SRP.

That way, you can dip your two in the water without breaking the bank.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I have shaved with various gilette and shick cartridges. Electric, DE, and straight.

I got decent shaves with DE, but straight is the only way i can

shave and not get razor bumps. I also get zero razor burn these days.

I, too, have very sensitive skin. Straights helped to alleviate that, the pimples, the burn, and the ingrowns. I dunno if it's the brush, or the light contact of the single blade, but it WORKS. Yes, you can get a VERY close shave with NO irritation, you just HAVE TO learn what "no pressure means" I thought I knew it before... Now I figured it out... It works great. NO pressure. You barely want to touch the skin.

Dovos are my favorites... just make sure they're professionally honed, trust me

I'd suggest a Dovo Best Quality with a 6/8ths grind. It's great for starters (half hollow if you can find it, full if you can't) Go with a cheap, but reputable Badger brush, or a high quality Boar. HQ boars are like 30$, but the tips are SO soft, with a lot of backbone, they aren't rough. It's like a face massage and the exfoliation is EXCELLENT. However, once broken in, even a 20$ amazon Badger brush can work quite well.

Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Uncented is good for starting with sensitive skin, Rose is also very gentle. Your skin will adapt to it, and then you can try different scents once your skin adjusts.

Soap: Try Olivia's Unscented Sensitive shaving soap. Again, you'll adapt to the soap, and the razor won't leave your face too tender, so after a bit you can experiment with new scents.

Both of these are on the lower end of the price spectrum (but don't mistake that for low quality. TOBS is great cream, and Olivia's soaps and creams are WONDERFUL)

Post Shave Balm: Nivia for Men, Sensitive.

There are many better products, but they can get EXPENSIVE. TOBS is well known and quality, and Olivia makes great stuff, and Nivea.. It just works.

Shaving every other day, TOBS tubs will last you ... 6months? If you are miserly with the cream, even longer.. All I need for 6 full face lathers (yes, SIX) Is an dollop of cream somewhere between raisin and almond in size.

Also, on the lost dates front... TOBS Rose cream... Makes 'em swoon

Good luck, friend. The straight is a much better alternative, and will soothe the burn and bump.

Cheers,
Jeremy

I have the same type of skin as you describe. I use and would highly recommend Truefitt & Hill Pre-Shave Oil, Geo F. Trumper Rose Shaving Soap, Art of Shaving Pure Badger Hair Brush, Dovo Shavette disposable blade straight razor. I am fairly new to straight shaving but have been using a true DE razor (something you may also consider) for many years.

My father used only the best electric shavers, and they worked very well for him. Occasionally, I would try his and burn the heck out of my face. He told me to stick with electrics, that my face had to grow accustomed to the electric razor. So, I tried for 2 or 3 weeks, which he said was sufficient time. But, with the same result.

I have no problem with razor burn with straights. So, I am someone who never could use electric razors, but is doing fine with straights.

(Note carefully that I didn't say I never burned my face with straights. At first, I did. But, you must be ready for a learning phase. This has been covered above by others.)

I thought it was kind of funny you talked about your electric shaver "technique" as being a light touch. The 20-30 times I've used an electric my skin's been torn up and I DON'T have sensitive skin. I just think those things are harsh for everyone, and switching to straight shaving will probably fix some of those problems you're having simply because the wet shaving process will be cleaning, exfoliating, moisturizing and toning your skin every time you shave.

You should definitely start with the Beginner's Guide in the Wiki as JimmyHAD pointed out. That should bring you up to speed and answer your basic questions about what you need to get started. If you want to start with products designed for sensitive skins, that might help as you ease into wet shaving and cure some of the skin problems you have now. The suggestions so far have been worthy of looking at for a newbie who doesn't want to drop a lot on new gear.

You mentioned being worried about Boar brushes being too harsh - soaking any type of natural bristle brush in hot water will soften the hairs before using it. Soak it while you take a hot shower, come out and get started prepping the lather and then wet your face again before applying the lather liberally. The prep work on your face is critical to getting a good shave, but more importantly for you, it will treat your face very nice and hopefully alleviate the trouble you've been having. One tip I would say if your skin is sensitive - stay away from aftershaves with a high alcohol content until your face heals a bit. Witch Hazel can be found in most drugstores with little or no alcohol, and you won't have to worry about drying out your skin. If you have bad bumps, open pimples or the like, drying them out too much may cause scarring, which lasts a lot longer than stubble.

Welcome to SRP and Good Luck!