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I have a scar from a dog bite from when I was younger, and it runs both horizontally and vertically across my lower lip. I haven't gotten a straight razor yet, but I was wondering if anybody would have any tips for shaving around the scar? I don't cut the scar tissue that often now with a cartridge razor, but I foresee it being a problem for when I start shaving with a straight razor.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Experience is your only real tell on this IMO. I have a Mole on my face below my lower lip. When cut bleeds like mad. At first I was so worried about shaving that area with a straight because experience showed that when cut it would bleed for a long time. So for the first month or two I avoided it and just touched up that area with a de. Eventually I got up the nerve to attempt with the straight. Remarkably I find that in the past year I have nicked this mole less with a straight than I did using a cartridge.
I think the same may hold true for your scar. Wait and only attempt when your skill level brings you comfort attempting it. You will then have the ability to adjust angles and work the area with confidence. There are no rewards or medals for pushing forward to fast and working outside your comfort zone.
And when all else fails there is the little magic white pencil to stop the bleeding
I've got a couple scars on my face as well & I sometimes nick one, but for the most part they are OK. I'm not sure of your scars, but as mentioned above, shaving with a straight gives you ABSOLUTE control of the edge compared to a disposable cartridge. If your scars are higher than the surface of your skin, you may have to shave around, but if not I would learn to shave over over them. If you keep the blade angle low and the touch light, you should be able to simply shave. You will notice that we really "preach" low blade angle (keeping the spine of the razor close to the face) and a light touch. You should be able to shave a lather covered inflated balloon with your straight...
Stretching the skin might lower the level of the scar so that the razor won't catch it.
You will just have to try it.
I have a scar in between my lip and chin. When I first started shaving I went over it lightly, but there were a few times when it got "reduced"...lol. Now, I never get cut there and it seems alot less noticeable. I also had a mole, it was on the side of my neck and I used to shave over that too. One day the razor was real sharp and the angle was just right, played "wack a mole" and that's gone too. I wouldn't recommend doing this on purpose, but it has seemed to work out well for me.
I have a scar under my chin, as well as a couple small moles on my face. I've yet to open them while shaving with a straight. In fact I find a SR to be very forgiving when it comes to this. Of course you won't know until you try yourself, in the meantime try not to worry about it too much.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I will see how it goes once I have a SR
To the O.P.:Quote:
Originally Posted by dyimages
I have the same experience. A mole on my upper lip, right near the kissin' part and one below my lower lip. Shaving with my Gillette Sensor triple blade cartridge razor, I cut them nearly every day. Once I got the knack for shaving with a straight, I stopped nicking my moles.
The difference seems pretty clear to me. I always had to apply some amount of pressure with the cartridge razor to get a decent shave. But I get the best shave with a straight razor using almost no pressure at all. That's a key point to keep in mind as you learn to use a straight. The less pressure the better.
Take your time. Work on your technique for the rest of your face. As your confidence builds, you'll figure out what you need to do to shave that part of your face without nicking your scar.
I'm not saying you'll never nick it. Just take your time and the skills will come.
Namaste,
Morty -_-
Although I'm only one shave into the SR experience, I agree with all the advice above. I have a decent size mole just above my Adam's apple that I was worried about because it protrudes a little. I usually open up one edge of it at least once a month with a safety razor, but I don't have a choice unless I want stubble growing around it. Today, during my first go with the SR, I found it very easy to simply shave around the mole, and using a low angle and no pressure just glided over it and knocked of the few hairs no problem. I imagine you will find the SR very controllable around your scar, and after you become skilled at shaving you might look into different blade points to help shave around instead of over the scar if it causes you trouble.
I will throw in my two cents as well. I also have good size mole on my jawline and was worried about shaving with a cut-throat. However its been no problems at all. Well once in a blue moon I will get a tiny nick in it
but then again I get a small nick here there in a couple of trouble spots. You soon learn where these areas on you face are and learn what works and what doesnt.