Thread: Newbie Pre/Post SRS Question

My fellow SRS's,

My pre shave ritual is:
1. Get brush soaking in hot water.
2. Put hot water in mug to soften soap
3. Shower
4. Apply light olive oil to beard
5. Soak wash cloth in hot water in shower and hold to face about 1 min.
6. Apply 2nd olive oil to beard

Shave ritual:
1. Mix lather and lather face
2. 20 strokes on SRD webbing strop
3. 40 strokes on SRD latigo strop
4. Shave WTG
5. Lather
6. Shave XTG

Post ritual:
1. Rinse with warm water
2. Alum block face
3. Clean and put away tools (choji oil my razor)
4. Rinse with cold water
5. Apply Thayer's alchohol free Witchhazel w/Aloe

Now I have two questions.

First, am I missing anything?

Second, my face stings a little for several hours following the shave, especially around lower neck area. I am getting no nicks, cuts or scrapes, but I do have sensitive skin. Is my pre/post treatment right and will my skin break in over time?

Cheers,
David

Originally Posted by Alembic

My fellow SRS's,

My pre shave ritual is:
1. Get brush soaking in hot water.
2. Put hot water in mug to soften soap
3. Shower
4. Apply light olive oil to beard
5. Soak wash cloth in hot water in shower and hold to face about 1 min.
6. Apply 2nd olive oil to beard

Shave ritual:
1. Mix lather and lather face
2. 20 strokes on SRD webbing strop
3. 40 strokes on SRD latigo strop
4. Shave WTG
5. Lather
6. Shave XTG

Post ritual:
1. Rinse with warm water
2. Alum block face
3. Clean and put away tools (choji oil my razor)
4. Rinse with cold water
5. Apply Thayer's alchohol free Witchhazel w/Aloe

Now I have two questions.

First, am I missing anything?

Second, my face stings a little for several hours following the shave, especially around lower neck area. I am getting no nicks, cuts or scrapes, but I do have sensitive skin. Is my pre/post treatment right and will my skin break in over time?

Cheers,
David

If I have a good amount of growth (3+ days) I'll use conditioner on my beard while showering. I used to use olive oil (now use jojoba) as a preshave and when I did, I only applied it once, and very lightly.

Off the bat I'd ask if you've shaved by going with the grain only and if your face still stung after that. I have sensitive skin and did two passes WTG for months -- only recently started adding an XTG pass on occasion.

I also strop between passes; usually 10/20 or 15/30.

Assuming there aren't any issues with the razor's edge or your stropping technique, I don't see anything in your routine that would be an obvious cause for irritation.

Hi,
Instead of the Alum block, try Nivea shaving balm (the one labled for sensitive skin). That works for me.

On the neck, you might want to doublecheck the direction your hair grows to make sure your first pass is really WTG. For example, the hair on my neck changes direction about halfway down, so to go WTG for the upper neck I need to shave N-S, but on the lower neck, I need to shave S-N.

I've never done the olive oil thing. I know some folks rub hair conditioner on their face during the shower if they have a stiff beard (rinse it off before shaving).

-Chief

I have to admit a great curiosity about these pre-shave oils. To me it would seem counterproductive to annoit the face with oils which would tend to interfere with water uptake in the whiskers, as it's (to my understanding) the moisture which softens the hairs. I also don't like anything even slightly slippery on my fingers, as oils -even lather- would be, that would compromise my grip on the razor.

My pre-shave preps with a hot water rinse, wash with soap, and hot water rinse at the sink, or a shower with the same routine followed with lathering and shaving are all I use. Perhaps I'm missing something, but it does seem to work OK.

Thanks guys,

I know that my WTG is not exactly WTG. The hair in some areas is growing up and at an angle. So you are right about that.

I have never just tried a WTG only. But that is a good point. Some experimentation is needed.

My razor was honed by Lynn prior to purchase and I know I have not rolled the edge with my newbie stropping.

So when you use the Nivea balm, how does that help with any weepers etc. Do you still need a styptic if you get that, or does the Nivea just take care of that?

I didn't ask this, but how often do you shave? I shave daily and I know when I am too aggressive with the pressure on the blade I really need to wait 2 days.

David

Originally Posted by Bruce

I have to admit a great curiosity about these pre-shave oils. To me it would seem counterproductive to annoit the face with oils which would tend to interfere with water uptake in the whiskers, as it's (to my understanding) the moisture which softens the hairs. I also don't like anything even slightly slippery on my fingers, as oils -even lather- would be, that would compromise my grip on the razor.

My pre-shave preps with a hot water rinse, wash with soap, and hot water rinse at the sink, or a shower with the same routine followed with lathering and shaving are all I use. Perhaps I'm missing something, but it does seem to work OK.

I used the olive very lightly just to give my skin a little extra protection. I have since switched to jojoba because I've found it to be less oily after application. When I first tried olive oil I clearly used a bit much and the razor did skip which scared the bejeezus out of me so I promptly washed my face and started over.

Always wash your hands after applying any oil because, as you noted, you don't want those holding the razor.

Now I'm actually trying out the Robeson booklet suggestion to use bay rum as a preshave. Still need a few shaves to see if I notice a difference from jojoba, but it's done well thus far.

Originally Posted by Alembic

I didn't ask this, but how often do you shave? I shave daily and I know when I am too aggressive with the pressure on the blade I really need to wait 2 days.

David

I wait between shaves; typically 3 days but 4 days after I have an XTG shave. I do keep my neck clean most of the time, so I can shave below my jawline daily without irritation, which sounds opposite to what you have.

Every so often I'll try shaving after a day but the few times I've done it haven't gone well. I can go without nicks but, as you described initially, there is much more irritation. It might still be technique for me as I've only been doing this for a year -- but I'm fine shaving after a few days.

Unless I missed something you didn't say how long you have been shaving with a straight. It does take some time to get used to it. You might watch your pressure and your angle and the number of passes you do. That's what usually causes razor burn. The alum block is a good test because the more burn you have the more you have to watch your technique. There should be no burn at all even if you shave every day.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Unless I missed something you didn't say how long you have been shaving with a straight. It does take some time to get used to it. You might watch your pressure and your angle and the number of passes you do. That's what usually causes razor burn. The alum block is a good test because the more burn you have the more you have to watch your technique. There should be no burn at all even if you shave every day.

Thanks for that input. I have been SRS for about 3 weeks now. I know that is a short enough time that I have plenty of weak skills yet. But I like the idea of using the alum block as a feedback mechanism. It stings like hell.

Alembic,

If you're only three weeks into str8 razor shaving you should expect to feel some burning of your face after a shave. Your face has to adapt to the new style of shaving you are using (ie. str8 razor). Give it about 1-2 months so that your face can adapt.

Additionally, as part of your pre-shave routine try the following--eliminate the 2nd application of olive oil and instead apply some bay rum aftershave lotion to your beard before applying olive oil--part of a pre-shave ritual referred to here at SRP as the "Robeson" method. Maximillian and several other SRP emembers swear by it. Since the bay rum has anti-inflammatory qualities, it may reduce your skin irritation and/or razor burn.