Thread: Should I give it a rest?

Gentlemen,

Wanted some advise. I want to know if I should give my face a weekend off.

Here is some background. I have shaved everyday for the past twenty years since I was in boot camp. I enjoy being clean shaven. I would almost feel like something is missing if I left the house without shaving that morning. Sort of like forgetting your keys....

I started shaving with a straight razor this week. I am learning with a Dovo shavette. I plan on upgrading when I get my technique down. The problem is, I have cut up my face the past couple of days, and I am wondering if I should let it heal. Could I just use the electric razor for the next couple of days instead?

I have been putting a stypic pencil on the cuts and they are not looking completely healed. Also, I have been loading up my face with baum each day.

Best,
J

Yes, give it a couple days off, then shave only the easy spots (sideburns and cheeks) with your straight. Shave with what you're used to on the harder bits (chin, adams apple, wherever you're not confident yet with the straight). Don't rush it or, well, you know what'll happen.

Extend your range with the straight as you get more comfortable with it. It's as easy as that.

Good luck!

yup, give it a break and let it heal. I shave with 3 passes every other day. If i had to shave every day i would just do a with the grain shave. But i like the BBS to much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, let your face rest up a bit. If you shave over nicks, you just aggravate them. Give your face time to heal. If you have been using an electric, use that for a little while and come back to straights. Also, some people have reported that the shavettes can be less forgiving on your face than regular straights, so if you want to upgrade to a "real" straight razor, you might as well do it now.

Goodness yes, I don't even know if I'd use the electric.

It might even be a liberating experience!

Originally Posted by markevens

Also, some people have reported that the shavettes can be less forgiving on your face than regular straights, so if you want to upgrade to a "real" straight razor, you might as well do it now.

+1 to this. I was going to say that you should definitely give your face a rest, but when it's healed, invest in a traditional straight razor. The one time I used a shavette, I had serious issues with it. A regular straight will be much more forgiving and have better feedback so you will probably avoid slicing up your entire face. A nick here and there is expected, but I think you will see a big difference.

I agree with rest. You should give it rest until it heals.
if you have less cuts(1 or 2 )spot then you can manage shave rest of your face and leave a lont that 1 ,2 spots.( it will look ugly but who cares this is just learning curve).
good luck

Use an electric razor Thats blasphemy!!! lol
But kidding aside..by all means give your face a rest..even with the smooth shave I get from a straight I still only need to shave every couple of days.

Definitely give it the weekend off. Personally I wouldn't use the electric razor either since I don't think the rubbing would help. I think a regular straight razor is in order.

Get a real straight and your face will thank you.