Getting better at shaving, but face is burning

Hey folks,

Ok, so today was my 4th shave. I feel like I'm getting the hang of things.

I had to try several passes on each location, 'cuz I didn't shave em worth a crap the first pass.

I'm still working on the angle, but here's what's weird. I figured out a way to hold the razor in my right hand that worked much better shaving the left side. By changing grip I suddenly had a lot more control on the left side and actually made a little better strokes than last time.

I found the neck section angle the easiest and got suprisingly clean strokes on it that even impressed me.

Now on my left cheek and on a few spots here and there I didn't get exactly close on the first attempts. The blade angle was just too low. As I worked it, it got better, but by then I'd already missed a spot. SO after the first go, I washed, re-soaped and did it again!!!

I can't believe I shaved almost my whole face once, and never a nick, then did it again!! and still only one tiny nick on my neck. I was pretty happy too! The spots I did well (I only do WTG for now) were smooth as silk. Around the chin and jawline is still pretty sketchy, but after I'm done I run the mach3 over the spots. Remember, I'm just learning, so I gotta clean it up somehow.. :)

So, my Tend Skin hasn't arrived yet, and I don't have any really good moisturizing face stuff, so I use nothing but leaving it clean as I can. At first it kind of hurt, like I shaved it too close maybe. Now, just a few hours later, just a few spots hurt a little bit, like I scraped them with the razor maybe? Is this my skin getting used to it, or my razor hand getting used to my face? Is there a good face moisturizer that won't cost me an arm and a leg?

So many questions, so little time, :) Off to bed I go!

Thanks mates!!

sounds like you're making great progress quick. if your face is red and hurting, take a day off. just keep practicing and it'll be second nature before you know it. keep it up!

I associate burning with too much pressure IME. I don't know if I have tender skin but I will get slight irritation if I do more than 2 passes and a touchup here and there. Maybe try easing up on the pressure. Trying to get bbs on the first pass can lead to irritation if you're using more pressure. Can't help with the moisturizer since I don't use one. Just a splash of bay rum or something along those lines.

Just about any moisturizer will be helpful for you. Any drug store will have something fairly inexpensive that you can use.

Regarding usage of the left hand on the left side of your face (assuming you are right handed), the trick is to eliminate manual dexterity as much as you can. Just set the razor flat and bring the angle up as you draw the razor down, initiating the movement not with your hand but with the point of the ELBOW. Your hand does nothing but hold the razor. Try to keep your hand as passive as you can. You will find that that also decreases pressure, and it sounds like you will benefit from that.

Take a day off from shaving and describe all the stropping you've done from day one, please.

Witch hazel can be your best friend for soothing irritation and redness.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mjhammer

Is there a good face moisturizer that won't cost me an arm and a leg?

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I haven't used it myself, but I hear that Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm is a good one and is rather cheap.

What Alexander said. I use the Nivea after my shave and before my AS splash. It works great, isn't greasy, and doesn't smell funky. Thus, meeting all my requirements :D I am pretty new to straight shaving too, and the BIGGEST thing I learned was to keep reducing the pressure of the blade against your face. If you are used to a cartridge, it will seem like there is no way you are using enough pressure when you are doing it right. What helped me learn (and I'm still learning) was to try and shave off the lather without cutting the hair. If you do that, you will hear the hair popping off and almost not feel it. You should be right on track then.

I had the same problem. All it was for me is pressure. Tend skin is more for bumps and ingrown hair. It does work great though. Try using less pressure on your face.

I have the same problem. I use witch hazel and it soothes my skin at first but then the irritation comes back. I do so many touch up and passes to get the smoothest shave that my skin is still irritated now even seven hours after my shave!

AFDavis hit it on the head... I ditched the cheap as* strop I had and purchased a very nice one from star shaving. The felt and leather made a lot of difference on the amount of razor burn I get. I'm getting better at stropping and the irritation is dropping.

I took 2 days off and waited till I got a decent strop. Stropped the heck out of it, about 50 on each, and shaved. It was the best shave I have gotten from this razor yet.

More to come!!! Thanks to all of you for your input!!

Just to repeat:

. . . Use less pressure;

. . . Don't take so many passes.

A _really sharp_ razor will cut well as it glides over your skin. A slightly dull razor will have to be pressed harder against the skin -- that's when razor burn happens.

That's why the "stropping?" question was asked.

Charles