Thread: Help with shaving neck

I am 23 years old and I have been shaving since I was 13. I learned early on that I had sensitive skin. I use a SR on my face daily and it leaves me with the most comfortable shave I have ever gotten. Sadly my neck likes to be difficult. I have used SR, DE, and even those triple+ blade monstrosities on my neck, and none of them seem to cut close, and when they do my neck feels like it is on fire for the rest of day.

I make sure my beard is soft by soaking it with a hot towel, or shaving after I shower. I use plenty of soap (Caswell-Massey) and make sure not to apply too much pressure, if any. I follow my shave with an aftershave balm, lotion, and once a week, or so, I use a face mask to help rehydrate my skin. I have read about pre-shave oils, mixing shave creams with lather, etc. to help with sensitive skin.

What do you all suggest to help soothe my neck?

Thanks

LERigney,

It appears that you are properly preparing your face for shaving. In fact your prep sounds a lot like my own.

Have you tried the so-called "Robeson" method? See below. It is a shave preparation technique that one of our SRP members, Maximillian, discovered on a vintage str8 razor brochure and includes the use of bay rum or witch hazel to prepare your beard for shaving. Try it--along with perhaps just giving your neck one or two passes with the razor--and see if it helps reduce the razor burn on your neck.

Take care...

Welcome to SRP! Anytime I read a post by someone as your's, I feel the need to share my experience with them.

I know this sounds kind of crazy but try using Doctor Tichenor's antiseptic mouth wash as an after shave. I don't know if this will work for you but I can tell you it worked a miracle for me.

About 15 years ago, a friend asked me why I never grow a beard. I told him I have to use an electic razor because any other kind of razor would give me a terrible rash on my neck area and it's too hard to keep a beard trimmed with an electric. I live in the south and even with the electric, I would still break out terribly on my neck during the summer months and it didn't matter what after shave I tried to use. His response was, he had the same problem and went to see a dermotologist and...yep, you guessed it, he was told to use Dr. Tichenor's as after shave. I tried it and have been using it ever since without any problems. Now, I even shave with a straight razor with no problems. Just beware, it stings like the dickens for a second or two. Give it a few seconds though, and your face will feel like you just walked into a freezer! The only reason I can figure why it works is all the other after shaves have alcohol SD-40 and the Dr. Tichener's must have another alcohol.

If you should decide to try it, let me know if it works for you. I hope it works for you the way it did me. If the Dr. Tichenor's is not available in your area, please PM me and I'll be glad to send you a bottle at no cost. I'm not telling you this to make anything nor do I own stock in Dr. Tichener's. LOL! Seriously though, let me know and I'll be glad to send you some. I know how miserable it was for me and hope I can help someone else.

By the way, I was probably only a few years older than you when I started using the Dr. Tichenor's. Following is the link to thier website. You may be able to find a retailer in your area: Dr. Tichenor's

I have 2 areas on my neck that gave me fits trying to get a close shave, my skin isn't that sensitive so that was a non-issue. One thing I figured out is the hair on each side of my windpipe grows a different direction compared to everything else. I went ahead and let my beard grow a day and then used my fingers to figure out growth direction. Once I had a decent idea of direction I started doing those spots properly ATG (which is basically diagonally 45 upward degrees towards my wind pipe). Once I got the difference in stretching and direction down those areas improved dramatically. Understanding how your beard grows will give you a better idea on how to get the best shave. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the advice.

jhenry- I used the witch hazel this morning with my shave and I do admit that it helped a little. Still some burning sensation but not as much. Maybe after a few days using it I will notice a bigger difference.

ENUF2- I never realized that the hair on my neck grew in differnt directions much like you stated yours did. I was finally able to get a closer, smoother shave on my neck. Need more practice though.

kcarlisle- I plan on trying your method of using Dr. Tichenor's mouthwash as an after shave. I do have a question. Which one works the best, or they all pretty much the same?

Thanks again for all the advice. I appreciate it very much.

There's only one type of Dr. Tichenor's that I'm aware of. It's called the Dr. Tichenor's antiseptic peppermint mouthwash, concentrated formula. Down here on the deep south, people use if for all kinds of things. Works miracles on cold sores too. Don't make the same mistake I did years ago and try it as mouthwash straight out the bottle. It felt like it took the skin out of my mouth. LOL! Make sure to dilute it if you want to try it as mouthwash. You can use it straight out the bottle, like I do, for aftershave.

If what you meant by "which kind" was between the mouthwash or gel, I'm talking about the liquid mouthwash described in my last reply.

You're welcome. It will take some time to get the hang of it but sounds like you're on the right track. Good Luck.

LERigney,

You're quite welcome...

Try some bay rum as well. The extract of bay rum has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease or eliminate your razor burn. I just used the Robeson method today w/ some Dominica Bay Rum when I shaved with my str8 razor. I had no razor burn at all.

And follow kcarlisle's advice with the Dr. Tichnor's. Its selling point is that it is concentrated. It only takes a few drops in a glass of water to make an effective mouthwash. The same is probably true for it when used as an aftershave.

Take care...