Thread: n00b on vacation... decided to use sensor excel... ingrown hairs ensue... why?

So I am on vacation and didn't want to bring my new straight with me (kids, luggage, etc.)... regretting the decision now. Decided to bring my trusty Gillette Sensor Excel instead. It shaves just fine, but I've noticed that now my faces is erupting in ingrown hairs (common experience for me before a straight razor) but when I'm using my new straight razor, I've ad no such issues!

Why is that? Any ideas?

Think the excel has two blades ?
First blade will sometimes lift the hair and second will cut it. The hair will then settle back down below the skin causing ingrown hairs.
Could be talking s**t but it makes sense when you think about it.

Yup! Two blades. Your theory makes perfect sense.

Could be a couple of things but the biggest really is how the carts cut hair. Typically the first blade grabs hair pulls hair up and the second one cuts. However it is cutting the hair blow the skin line which gives the hair more opportunity to grow down into the skin. When using SR or DE you are cutting at skin level allowing the hair to continue to grow in the same paths.

Prep could also be part of your problem. If you left the SR behind I am guessing you left behind the brush and soaps. So the prep for a shave is probably lacking. Which could be leading to the ingrown hairs.

Same could be said for post shave.

I am shaving with that same cartridge while I practice my lathering skills and my experience with it is you have to be careful not to go too close with it. My last shave was probably more than a week ago and I got far too close in the area between my chin and lower lip. Ingown hair city. I am starting to heal up but I won't make that mistake again.

My first few shaves were not as close and I did not have a single ingrown.

bjmacnevin,

In circumstances such as Holidays or short business trips, I take along one of my old 'E' or 'G' model Schick Injector SE razors.

These are really compact and can be used very much like a modern cartridge razor.

Most times like these I don't take a brush - you can lather on your chops quite nicely using your hand and a small dollop of shaving cream

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Funny thing, I don't recall ever having an ingrown hair using double bladed disposable razors. I don't doubt that it happens but I wonder if there is more to it than just the type razor.

Bob

Find an antique store and pick up a DE... Walmart has blades. And cheap brush and soap kits.

Originally Posted by BobH

Funny thing, I don't recall ever having an ingrown hair using double bladed disposable razors. I don't doubt that it happens but I wonder if there is more to it than just the type razor.

Bob

I've still never had an ingrown hair, and my ProGlide has six blades!

I get in-grown hairs with anything and everything, including DE's, but none with a (normal) Cut-Throat razor. I still haven't heard any definitive theory on why I have a longer lasting shave and no in-grown hairs with a normal razor, but get a crappy shave (except with the DE) with everything else. A DE gives nearly as good a shave but gives me in-growns every so often. Cartridge razors give me in-growns every shave.


Mick