Tired of the itching

I've only been at this for about a month and a half but I'm finally getting decent shaves (as opposed to when I started and was shaving but not removing any hair). I'm at the point now where I'm getting decent shaves but my face itches for hours after the shave. Is this normal? I figure it's my technique with angles and pressure and what not but I never got the itching when learning with a DE.

I shave immediately after a shower, scrub lather into face for at least 45 seconds, let lather sit on beard for around 2 minutes, shave WTG and XTG, cold water rinse, Thayers sits on for about 45 seconds, cold water rinse, aqua velva and lotion after the aqua velva dries.

I had a similar problem when I first started with a straight. I was using Aqua Velva also, and had to lay off of it for a while. It just took my face a while to get used to the new method of shaving, and for me to get used to angles, pressure, etc... Now that I'm better at it, I can use pretty much whatever avtershave I want with no problem. My advice is to just use the lotion after the shave for a while until your face gets used to the straight, then try again with your alcohol based products. As for the Thayers, I've never tried it, so I can't say anything about that...

Hope my ramblings help.

Thank you for the reply and the advice. I tried a new Nivea double action shaving balm the other day and it did the same thing. I think I'll take your advice tomorrow and just use the witch hazel and lotion to see if it helps.

Maybe switch creams/soaps after that. Might be an allergy in something your shaving with.

I can rule out an allergy. I have been wet shaving with a DE for about a year and am using the same creams and soaps since I started. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Definitely sounds like an allergy. If I use any type of aftershave with any perfume/cologne to it I get crazy allergic. Face itches/burns like mad. Nivea sensitive balm and trumpers skin food work very well for me though.

Hope you find what troublin' you

EDIT: Woops, guess we posted at the same time. My bad.

What I tend to do is use an exfoliating face scrub and to use a shave stick to lather my face whilst in the shower. Then I rinse it off and lather up properly when I get out for my shave.

After my shave I use the Clarins for Men aftershave balm. You don't need to use much as it goes a long way. That's the best aftershave balm I've found so if you're willing to spend the money on it I'd highly recommend it.

Try, re-Lather after the 2 minutes.

I do it this way, I Lather my face with brush, and then I rub the soap whit my hands.This makes your beard hair nice soft.
I let it sit while I make in my bowl the real Lather.
After applying with the brush and then shave.
No pressure, let the razor glide over your face.
A sharp razor , need no pressure but cut your hear by itself.
lot of sucses and I hope it will be better.

What Kalerof said above, let the razor glide over the skin slicing the whiskers. In your OP you said,"I've only been at this for about a month and a half but I'm finally getting decent shaves (as opposed to when I started and was shaving but not removing any hair)"

If what changed your results was an improvement in the sharpness of the razor I wouldn't think that would account for the irritation. I'm betting you are applying pressure and scraping the skin while you chop the whiskers.

With proper lubrication from a good quality cream or soap the razor should glide over the stretched skin. With proper technique/blade angle the whiskers are sliced. Two or three light passes rather than trying to get it all the first time also improves the overall shave. If you have an eye loupe or microscope check the edge for micro chips. If the razor isn't shave ready that could also be a contributing factor. :gl:

You mentioned you used the same products when you were using the DE, so an Allergy now doesn't make any sense. The only thing that's changed is you using a straight, right? Angle plays a big role in comfort, quality, etc...of the shave. What may help you is a good pre shave oil. It helps soften and lubricate the wiskers. If you don't want to buy one, you can use some Olive Oil. I'd do as soon as I'm out of the shower, and my beard is still kinda wet and soft, Rub in like 5 drops or so...Then lather up....

And, like Jimmy said, Check your razor. I'm wondering if it's sharp enough too?

My razors were honed by Lynn here and Larry at Whipped dog, so they are definitely sharp. I've gotten to the point where I have them cutting very well. I'm sure it's mostly my fault for bad technique since I'm new to this.

During the next several weeks just use the witch hazel as an aftershave. Stay away from alcohol based aftershaves for awhile. I

n fact, Thayers makes an aftershave version of their witch hazel.

Give trumpers skin food a try as well, that stuff works great at soothing your skin.

It's basically all I use now...! :)

You're drying your skin out with all of that soap and with the length of time it's staying on your skin. The aqua velva (or any aftershave with alcohol) will further dry out your skin. If you avoid soap on your face, you won't dry it out and it won't itch. I use Lush for shaving and it's a vegan lotion style creamy product designed for shaving. It comes in a little black tub and you don't need much. Google up Lush to find a vendor near you or get it via mail. I get mine at the Natick Mall in Massachusetts. They're next to the Apple store. I haven't put soap on my face in years and don't miss it one bit.

Thanks for all the replies but I'm in South Korea for the next couple months, so my supplies are pretty limited. I found some Thayers alcohol free at the GNC on post and that's what I'll be experimenting with now. I think I'll just use it for AS tomorrow and if my skin is too dry after that, I'll use it and put lotion on after that soaks in.

As for leaving it on my skin for too long, that never seemed to be a problem with my DE. I always read that letting the soap soak into your whiskers was essential to proper prep.