still having razor burn problems. can anyone help?

ok so now i am about three months in and it is still almost impossible for me to have a good shave with out getting razor burn. here is what i do so maybe someone can point me in the right direction. i have this is issue with both straigt's and DE's so i start with a very hot shower, followed by a mixing my cream which i think is very good not to thick, not to thin but good enough to the point that it does not dry out so fast. i have the pre-shave oil as well but i stopped using it because i was getting better results with out it. i then do my normal 2-3 passes depends on how i am feeling never using any preassure just letting the weight of the razor do the cutting. i then rinse off with warm water, pat dry and give a splash of cold, followed by some lavender balm, with no alcohol. and then i usally go to sleep because i usally shave at night(more relaxing). and throw on some more blam in the morning. also to add i have just recently tried the alum block and the the burn is not so intense. and i dont know what else there is to do to help get rid of the burn. but i think there is one more problem i do not get the burn right after or the next day. the razor burn shows up almost two days after. thanks for any help

If it's showing up two days later then I'd suspect it's not razor burn (at least as I understand it) but rather a skin reaction to one of the products you're using.

really? well as far as what i use most of the time i use the AOS lavender line. oil, cream, and balm. but i also have creams for truefitt and hill, and also geo F. trumpers. but i no matter what cream i use. so it could be the balm? because i no longer use the oil.

Personally if I get razor burn then spashing on regular aftershave stings like crazy, no burn means no or almost no sting. A skin reaction on the other hand will usually take me a few hours to show and stick around longer. If your redness isn't showing for up to 48 hours after you shave then I really doubt it's from shaving but rather the multiple applications of balm. Try backing off on the chemistry.
Another reason I don't think it's the shave; if you can successfully shave with just the weight of the razor and no additional pressure then I think the razor is probably sharp enough. Your stropping might be worth looking at, perhaps, but it can't be too far off if that's the edge you keep.

Check the ingredients on your balms, see if they are similar. I get a rash from a few balms out there as well. A good way to eliminate that is to try something like cornhuskers lotion which contains no oils, is relatively inexpensive and is locally available for many.
You could also be having a reaction with something else. If you use a blemish product salicylic acid causes problems with many people, even a loofah or facial scrub can cause problems with a straight razor by over exfoliating your skin.
These are just a small portion of what could be happening.

it does not burn though when i apply the balm. it hurt like hell though when i rubbed the alum block over my neck and face but i only get the redness on my neck never on my face.

I would almost guarantee it'll be the pressure you're using the razor with, i had the same problem until i had a eureka moment recently. Do you have any old school barbers nearby? go get a hot shave at one if so, it'll give you a lot of perspective

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Originally Posted by tekbow

I would almost guarantee it'll be the pressure you're using the razor with, i had the same problem until i had a eureka moment recently. Do you have any old school barbers nearby? go get a hot shave at one if so, it'll give you a lot of perspective

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I'd have to disagree, considering it's so long after the actual shave. Burn from too much pressure or incorrect angle always (at least in my experience) shows up immediately after the shave.

I'd still lean toward the balm, too. Judging the reaction of the skin to the balm when it's applied will only tell if your skin is burned or pores are open. If it burns to apply balm or A/S, then there must be something like alcohol/scents that are reacting with the damaged skin or open pores.

The moisturizing affects of the balm (lotion) will help soothe the skin immediately after application, but once that is gone and the scents are left over, that's when your skin is reacting to whatever is in the balm. Deighaingeal's (btw, I have no idea how to pronounce that) suggestion of corn husker's lotion is definitely something you want to try. There's no synthetics in it, so there's not much your skin can react negatively with. Also, it's an inexpensive way to rule out what's interfering with your shave.

At this point, it really doesn't seem that the angle/pressure is what's giving the irritation.

P.S. - The alum block is supposed to burn, IMO. The anti-septic qualities are sterilizing any minute nicks/cuts, thus allowing the to heal faster/cleaner, easing the shave on the next go-around.

That's fair enough, I'll explain my logic though:

I had a similar problem which is why i think it's too much pressure. That and a combination of too many passes and tired skin. Not everyone's face can take 2 - 3 passes everyday. Remember there's an exfoliating action with straight shaving as well, and if the pressure is a little too much and the angle is off a little you're going to strip the skin of moisture and, well, skin. It doesn't materialise straight away, it's more a cumulative effect, which is why i think you're getting the worst of the burn 2 to three days later. the skin gets irritated, becomes rough and that when you see the burn, and it's when it also becomes uncomfortable to shave. then you get dry skin which starts to lead to ingrowing hairs.

Try not shaving for a few days. Then on the 3rd day give your skin a go with a really good exfoliator, especially over the areas which were rashy but will hopefully have calmed down. but don't shave. give your skin a chance to recover from the exfoliation (make sure and get a lot of moisturiser on after, this is when you'll find if it's the moisturise or not).

The next day, use a face wash before shaving, a gentle one, and try adding some glycerin to your lather. Get a good lather on the the go and do one pass. forget about BBS for now, just try and get the best out of your one pass and touchups, you'd be suprised how close to BBS you can get with a single pass.

i really go for it with alum, but its alleviates the burn, doesn't solve it. I tend to use a styptic pencil on any redness then do my whole face with the block. I clean my razor, brush and bowl, then wash the alum off in cold water. then lots and lots of moisturiser, try body shop macca root, it's one of the few i've found that doesn't sting going on, it's pure cooling.

All i'm saying is give this a try, see what happens

I use alcohol based aftershaves. If I don't, sometimes I get a redness or at least an itch, particularily under my chin, and usually a while after the shave. Just tossing it out there.

thank you very much! to all that have helped i will try these suggestions and see what happens. i will keep all of you posted.

From a medical perspective if he is allergic to something he is using(seems that is what he is leaning towards) then it would be on face and neck if applying the ASB to both. Not just the neck. I'd lean more towards shave angle and such. I also heard stated that krism has this problem with with safety razors also? I would change the direction of shave. Do only one pass in that direction then see what happens. If no burn then viola, problem solved. If not try in another direction.
Just my 2 cents.:shrug::soapbox:

I just stumbled upon this and it works great...

Go to your local drug store, trader joes, health food store, etc., and pick up a bottle of 100% tea tree oil and a bag of cotton balls. After you shave, rinse with cold water. Next, grab a cotton ball and get it soaked then wring it out and put a couple drops of tea tree oil on it (Tea tree oil is strong so a couple drops is all you need). Wipe the cotton ball over your entire face and neck then follow that up with a good face moisturizer. I've been doing it and razor burn disappears quickly and your face feels cool and refreshed.

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, antibiotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bactericide, balsamic, decongestant, cicatrisant and stimulant therapeutic properties for skin care. Which means it cleans, fights bacteria, soothes and relieves pain/discomfort, helps heal properly, and reduces inflammation.

It's got a minty smell to it but doesn't last too long so it shouldn't interfere with any aftershave you use if you give it a few minutes to air out after application.

Good luck,
Curtis

buy the stuff in a carrier oil, i used to use this for spots and it's better than any purpose made stuff on the market, but the pure oil will burn you.

It may, or it may not. As with everything, everybody reacts different. If you want you can try it in an inconspicuous area like your chest or areas that don't see as much abuse as say... your arms etc. The skin on your chest is usually as sensitive, if not more, as far as skin products, other than soap. The purpose of the wet/damp cotton ball is to dilute/thin out the oil so it's not quite as strong. If you do have an adverse/uncomfortable reaction then you can add a few drops to your face moisturizer instead of using the cotton ball. That should dilute it enough to accomplish the goal and not make you uncomfortable. Also try a few drops in your shampoo, very good for the scalp! If you can get the pure oil rather than a mixture it will last a long time and you can use it for more than just your face. Just my 2 cents, take it as you please.

Curtis

ok guys so i tried just the after shave. and no reaction. but i didn't shave and i didn't try the cream so i am going to try them at two separate times so i can figure this out. thank you all for all your help!

try the cream first because you can't shave and notput something on after

Lavender can be a skin irritant as can any number of preservatives or chemicals in your soaps. Process of elimination.

I would suggest going bland old school.. get some plain unscented basic cream/soap, after a good rinse particularly of your neck liberaly apply plain generic witch hazel. you only shave everyother or every 3rd day? do you wear a shirt and tie daily? you might also consider trying cold water shaving a few times. Did you have thsi issue when using carts or when you say 3 months in do you mean you just started shaving?

Am telling you guys, it's not the creams...

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Originally Posted by tekbow

Am telling you guys, it's not the creams...

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+1 agreed tekbow

Try a nice rich lather and shorter strokes some after balm with witch-hazel and aloe

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Originally Posted by Ellsworth

I would suggest going bland old school.. get some plain unscented basic cream/soap, after a good rinse particularly of your neck liberaly apply plain generic witch hazel. you only shave everyother or every 3rd day? do you wear a shirt and tie daily? you might also consider trying cold water shaving a few times. Did you have thsi issue when using carts or when you say 3 months in do you mean you just started shaving?

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i usually shave every other 3rd day. no i do not wear a shirt and tie. but i am a plumber and sweat a ton during the day. and with cartage razors the issue was a lot worse but the bumps and the irritation was immediately after. not like two days later like it is now. and i am now 3 months into shaving with DE's and Straights.

this is a long shot but since it seems to show up on the second day after a shave maybe the new stubble is being irritated by the sweat and shirt. have you tried shaving every day?

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it hurt like hell though when i rubbed the alum block over my neck and face but i only get the redness on my neck never on my face.

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I started to use str8 razor for the same kind of problem you are describing. What you wrote above makes me think that irritation comes from your actual shave or maybe pre shave prep. I read somewhere in this forum that you should feel only a tinkle rubbing the alum block after a shave. I also experienced it myself and even sometimes not feeling a thing using alum block after a shave.

On my side, I can't do the 3 passes. Only 1 pass WTG. If I try 2 or 3 pass, i get the kind of irritation you have. But even with 1 pass, I still get a better shave, and by far, that I ever had before with cartrige or electric razor.

Cheers,

Quite a puzzling problem. I think I agree with it not being the shave or the technique or the creams. I sometimes get irritated skin a couple of days after a shave, but that is either some in-grown hairs somewhere or just a dry skin. I use a lot of moisturizing body lotion mixed in with Nivea's anti-irritation after shave balm, also on the day in between that I don't shave (every other day works best for me).

Really can't tell you anything more than that it is indeed not razor burn. Maybe it is as simple as moisturizing or indeed irritation from clothing? If it is only in your neck and not in your face I doubt it is even an (allergic) reaction to any ingredients, as the reaction would also occur on the rest of the application area. Maybe just the amounts and regularity with which you apply. Besides that, I don't envy you, even with my hairy sensitive baby skin. Hope you find a workable solution, stuff like this really sucks, but I guess you know plenty about that.

ok gents. i think i solved the problem! and all it took was a trip to AOS and 40bucks. what the problem is the irritation my skin faces when the hair is growing back though the skin. so i got a night cream that i rub on my neck before bed and it opens the pores so the skin doesn't have to fight the hairs. and the problem did not go away completely but it is a lot better than it was. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!!!