Thread: Are you shaving too often?

I don't know if this holds any water so maybe some of the senior members on here could validate or debunk this? My facial hair growth is somewhat slow and I was trying to shave everyday getting not so great results. Is one of the keys to a great shave actually having some hair to shave? I find for me, I get a better shave with less irritation and easier shaving if I shave every other day or longer.

Anyone else with slow hair growth experience similar results?

I used to get a lot of skin irritation while shaving daily. With improved technique and better edges I no longer have that problem. Don't push too hard trying to get BBS.

I can't see the point of shaving when there's no hair to shave unless you are after a skin peeling.

a straight razor will "scrub" your face every time you shave.
for some people, their skin doesn't "regrow" fast enough.
atleast, that's what I think that causes it.

I found that for me, using an alum block after my shaves has really helped in the razor burn department when shaving too often though

My hair grows fairly fast at least on face and I could shave every day but I also like to shave after 1 or 2 day wait.
Glenn

Originally Posted by Kees

I used to get a lot of skin irritation while shaving daily. With improved technique and better edges I no longer have that problem. Don't push too hard trying to get BBS.

I can't see the point of shaving when there's no hair to shave unless you are after a skin peeling.

Hey a Nederlander - Hi Kees (Case for americans) - Agreed, I think some of us newcomers don't realize this until we've already suffered. I quit trying to get bbs until I have learned my face well enough and can run wtg in less than 20 minutes. It also gives my face more time to get "broken in" if you will...

Were you able to shave daily with your previous shaving method?

It's best to let your skin tell you when to shave. If it's telling you every other day is best then there is no point in putting up with irritation and pain. Of course you should experiment with prep and technique and you may be able to eventually shave daily, but if it's just not happening you may have to join those of us in the shave-every-other-day sensitive skin department.

Originally Posted by fragalot

a straight razor will "scrub" your face every time you shave.
for some people, their skin doesn't "regrow" fast enough.
atleast, that's what I think that causes it.

Great theory, a very plausible explanation!

As well, some guys just have a tough leather hide for facial skin and can shave muliple times a day without consequence. If you can get away with it, go for it...

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Were you able to shave daily with your previous shaving method?

It's best to let your skin tell you when to shave. If it's telling you every other day is best then there is no point in putting up with irritation and pain. Of course you should experiment with prep and technique and you may be able to eventually shave daily, but if it's just not happening you may have to join those of us in the shave-every-other-day sensitive skin department.

I had basically given up on cartridge shaving and only shaved once a week +/-. It was more like brushing my teeth than a manly ritual. SR got me back into it. I am finding that my beard softens better when there's actually hair to soften. Plus i have thin, oily, sensitive skin so +1 on skin not growing back fast enough.

I cannot perform a 3 pass shave. Most of my skin gets one pass: against the grain. Upper lip and chin get 2 passes. 3 passes would cause serious razor burn.

Your best bet is to experiment with what works best for you because in the end it is your skin. There's really no point having 15 people telling you one thing when your skin is telling you the opposite.

Also, never stop experimenting with, and testing, what works because, as others have said, other things improve over time like technique or honing and stropping abilities, and you may find that adjustments in the frequency of your shaves can occur eventually.

James.