Second FULL Shave -- Razor Burn Setting In

[KingOfBreifne]

Hey, guys.

Completed my second full-face shave today after the first one on Monday.

I've got some razor burn under the ears and on the middle part of my chin. Nothing horrendous, but I do have several questions:

1) I've used the Castle & Forbes "Pre-Shave" serum twice now, both with poor results. The two worst shaves I've had have been the only ones where I used this stuff. Is it possible that this is actually having the opposite effect for me of what it's supposed to have??

2) My chin has ALWAYS had these little bumps that form between shaves. They're midway between my lip and the bottom of the chin. Not razor burn, not pimples...just little raised hair follicle bumps. Taking the straight razor over these bumps pretty much guarantees they bleed. Now, it actually has turned into some razor burn. Maybe these will toughen up over time as the skin gets used to more frequent shaves with the straight?

3) The best shaving creams so far for me have been Alraz's "Bomb" stuff, and Carrie's creams. Castle & Forbes...eh...not so much.

4) I've got about six shaves on one of my razors now. I've stropped before & after every shave. My first barber's hone should be here within the next day or two. Should I go ahead and give that razor a quick touch-up when the hone arrives?

Thanks, guys!

~ Ryan

[pedro083]

1. everyone differs with pre shave stuff some love it some hate. so it really is just personal choice.
2. i have had these bumps on neck alum block works good for me if you dont have that try rubbing them with stypic pencil cleared mine up
4. would not use barbers hone until you feel blade starting to tug and quality os shave effected

[Lynn]

My understanding of all the pre-shaves is that you need very little when applied, it needs to be rubbed in very well and it takes a couple weeks of use to acheive maximum results. Other than that, it is another personal preference area.

Have fun,

Lynn

[niftyshaving]

1. everyone differs with pre shave stuff some love it some hate. so it really is just personal choice.
2. i have had these bumps on neck alum block works good for me if you dont have that try rubbing them with stypic pencil cleared mine up
4. would not use barbers hone until you feel blade starting to tug and quality os shave effected

+1 on all the above.

The bumps are irritated spots so something is irritating them (like the obvious).

There are two things to address moving forward.

• healing
• prevention

For healing consider a thin application of a triple antibiotic ointment
or petroleum jelly. When shaving these areas a very light single
pass is called for. A sharp blade will reopen them again and again
if you are not extra cautious. Make it possible for them to heal.

On the topic of prevention less is more. At this point we do not know
the real cause so minimize the environment and set of variables. Minimize
the number of passes you use to shave and good enough is enough.

Pay attention to preparation. Lather lightly and as often as needed
with a good mild shave soap or cream so the whiskers can soak for
a full 3+ min.

After shaving with the exception of nicks and weepers let you skin
air dry for 30 min prior to the application of any post shave product.
Post shave use the most gentle product you can find.

If you love fragrance products and must use one do not apply
it to your face. Splash a bit on the base of your neck or shoulders
(they make me sneeze at ten paces) if you must use them.

It is not crazy to triple rinse your face in cool water to remove all
traces of shaving soap when done shaving.

[cutalot]

its not so much that your face will toughen up as your touch will get lighter and your skill will improve. a well stroped well angled razor will melt wiskers like a hot knife thur butter the less you feel the blade the better the shave

[bobpell]

+1 on cutalot's advise. From my experience razor burn is usually from too much pressure which is usually due to a razor whose edge is less than optimum. And your face will become more accustomed to the feel of the SR over time. I remember the very first time I shaved when I was in my mid-teens (we used shapened rocks back then). My face hurt so much I couldn't touch it.

Pelkey

[Joed]

Ryan, congrats on your full shaves. I can't say much about the pre shaves stuff or the bumps because I don't use pre shave oils and don;t have bump issues. I can speak of razor burn though.

To prevent razor burn be very aware of your razor angle while shaving and avoid using pressure. These are the major causes of razor burn. I shave in the evening so I can take my time, at least that is how it used to be. Have someone watch you shave and mention when your angle gets greater that ~30 degrees. It's hard for me to view the angle while shaving some areas and having Carrie make note to me helped develop my shave by feel for the angles. Other thoughts is a good pre shave prep. If you shave after a shower use shampoo on your beard and wash twice with it. If just going with a face wash do that twice. Some here like the Robeson Bay Rum prep which simply put is to wash dry, Bay rum rub than lather. Search the site if interested. Lastly, Castle Forbes is a high end shave cream. If you are not getting good results with it you should review your lathering technique. Then again, different strokes for different folks. That;s why there are so many options.

Oh, on honing. If your razor was originally honed properly recently I would avoid the hones and work on shaving technique. In the mean time purchase a second shave ready razor if you don't already have one. Then, when the first starts to tug you can switch over and practice honing on the one that tugs while not being stuck with a razor that doesn't shave welll while you learn honing.

Good luck

[KingOfBreifne]

Thanks for the response, Joe.

Yeah...tried that Robeson Bay Rum method once, and wasn't all that enamored with it. But, I'm still learning proper shaving technique, obviously, so I'm not ready to abandon anything outright just yet.

~ Ryan

[KingOfBreifne]

Ouch! Shaved again this morning, and the razor burn on my chin wasn't happy about it. Opening those bumps back up was unavoidable, even with a very light touch.

So I ran the styptic pencil across my chin, dabbed just a bit of bayrum aftershave on the chin thinking this would prevent infection, and applied some aftershave balm on the entire face.

We'll see how the face looks later today and tomorrow, but the chin looks like 13-year-old pimples right now.

~ Ryan

[hi_bud_gl]

Ryan
you have been giving great advices i will add couple may help.
if your previous shave you had some cuts etc on next one will better if you give to your face a little longer time to heal or shave and avoid that spots.
Please don't use any pressure.
About using barber hone. You use it when you feel your razor start to pull and most likely no more then 2-6 strokes very light touches.
hope this helps