Thread: Face peeling after first straight razor shave

Hello,

I recently upgraded from a double-edged safety razor, to a straight razor with replaceable blades. I use a fresh blade on every shave, of course.

The first time I shaved, a few days ago, I cut myself up. To be expected. Now, my face is peeling terribly. Is this also a result of applying too much pressure on my strokes, or is the peeling a natural reaction to the closeness of a straight razor, and my face will adapt accordingly?

I use proraso cream/brush + coral skin food afterwards.

I strongly suspect this is a result of too much pressure. As for your face adjusting, it has less to do with your face adjusting, and more to do with improving your technique with experience.

In the mean time, I suggest giving your face a break, certainly from your straight, and from shaving all together if you can. At least until things heal up anyway.

It could be too much pressure . If you find you need to use too much pressure it may be because the razor is not sharp enough. Sometimes it's difficult to differentiate between poor technique and a blade that isn't sharp. Hence the advice to start with a razor known to be; 'shave ready'
A new DE blade is very sharp and doesn't seem to have caused you any problems. You must let your face heal up.



Oops!, I missed the bit about replaeable blades

Hello, Aja:

I, too, suspect excessive pressure the cause for the peeling. Remember, the double edge and the straight razor with replaceable blades share many of the same characteristics. The blades are extremely sharp. Here is my suggestion:

1. Lay off the shave for a few days to allow your face to heal.

2. Use no pressure at all. Let the weight of the razor do the work.

3. Avoid excessive strokes over the the same spot.

4. Pay special attention to your preparation.

5. Return to your shave by using only one pass with the grain for two or three days and see what happens.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks for the helpful replies. After 3 days of rest I've shaved with my DE because I was scared. I'll give it 3 more days until I use the SR.

What constitutes a good prep? I shave in the shower when my cleaning is done (I have a fogless mirror). I brush on some Proraso and get to it. Should I be doing anything else? Side note: My Proraso lather is often too thin. Any good rules of thumb for how much water should be on the brush before lathering?

Thanks!

Straight shaves take longer than DE shave (for me at least)

I never have to re-wet the lather during a DE shave, I usually have to at least once when I do a full face straight shave. (Normally have a beard)


I don't know that it would be enough to cause peeling, but letting the soap get too dry on your skin sure seems (to me) like it has a drying irritating effect later on in the day.

I would caution you not to use a straight razor in the shower. I used to shave in shower when using disposables, but I can't imagine doing so with a straight razor. To me, if that thing slips out of my hand or from my caddy, I'd hate to see what it might do to a toe! Ouch!

As far as the skin, everyone else probably knows more about that than me. However, I had a similar problem when starting to straight shave and mixed a small amount of aloe vera gel (the kind with lidocaine (sp?)) with my aftershave to help moisturize and sooth my face. That seemed to help quite a bit.

As far as the water amount, I generally soak my brush in hot water while in the shower. I usually shake out the excess and add very small amounts until I get to the consistency I want. That helps me avoid over watering and then having to waste more cream. Hope that helps a little?

I might also suggest the possibility that the peeling may be the result of a reaction to the products you are using (in conjunction with excessive pressure, I would add). Have you used the same products in the past without incident?

As well, is there a reason why you use a new blade for every shave? You should be able to get a few shaves per blade, and often times the first shave with a fresh blade can be the harshest. You can try corking the blade - give the blade a swipe or two on a wine cork - this can help to make a blade more face friendly.

BTW - Always good to hear from a fellow piano player. I play guitar as well, but the piano was my first instrument and will always be number 1.

I wonder about the amount of pressure you're applying, too.

But maybe you should also consider that whatever products you're using dry your skin out or something. Maybe try a moisturizer or something after a shave to keep the skin supple and moist? If you have a little bottle of glycerin, maybe work some in to your face after the shave? Works pretty well.

I havent see where you hail from but I know in my area it has been extremely dry and so I had to adjust what I put on my skin after a shave. Thayers Witch Hazel with aloe, alcohol free of course, made a big difference. With that said no amount of anything will make up for improper technique. Is any of the rest of your face or skin dry/peeling or just the area shaved?