... is how long I have to leave between shaves in order that all the cuts can heal properly!
That said, I'm learning all the time & think I know what I'm doing wrong (too much pressure). It's still early days and I'm confident I'll get it. Which is why it's so annoying to have to wait so long between each shave!
My last (most recent) bad cut kept reopening on me, even after two days. It sucked really bad. Finally I waited three days without shaving and was able to do so without trouble.
Michael
hahaha recognizable.
Take your time, why everything in 1 week to learn, beware. over a number of months you laughing here.
The best shaves you get from shaving if you shave every 2 days.
Your skin can repair and you have more hair to shave
Welcome Phunni! I'm an "every other day" man not because I need the healing time but just because my beard doesn't come in that fast and I get a better shave if I wait.
You didn't say how many shaves you've done with a straight but take it slow, it only gets better!
I feel the same way.
Unless you also have my problem then your facial hair doesn't grow very quickly. I used to not mind that my facial hair didn't grow very fast and now it is irritating cause I have to wait to shave.
You will get the hang of it and will be able to shave without cuts in no time. After that the most frustrating thing will be waiting between shaves. Period.Quote:
Originally Posted by phunni
I feel like I'm repeating myself tonight but I really think it's a helpful tip! I used to cut myself all over, especially on the jaw line!
Get creative with your skin stretching. Pull that face in any and every direction required to get the tightest surface for your blade to pass over. Once I got the hang of it and stopped cutting myself by laying the blade on my face wrong, I haven't cut myself.
Give it 30 shaves and you will have it. Have patience with yourself and your face. On the cuts, most of us have been there. I would change the blade direction so that I wouldn't hit that spot/line the same way to re-open a nick. Light pressure my friend, let the razor do the work for you. Try short strokes of 1-1.5 cm. Most of all, take your time and enjoy the experience...Quote:
Originally Posted by phunni
4th shave complete and my new learn is to slightly puff my cheek. As I have earned chubby jowls over the years I just can't stretch this area well. on my jaw I lay the blade flat and just slightly raise the angle. I just need to work on my neck now.Quote:
Originally Posted by brooksie967
You can really speed up the healing by smearing some triple antibiotic ointment on the cut a couple times a day. Cuts heal way faster when they are not dried out.
That's a good tip, although I'm not sure if we get triple antibiotic cream in the UK. I certainly haven't come across it.
I use pure vitamin E oil. Does the same thing and helps reduce scars.
I am new to SR shaving and get nicks quite a bit. I use an Osma alum block after shaving. It stops the bleeding very well and I can shave every day.
Just stop cutting yourselves and you won't have any more issues!
Brilliant. Thanks. Why didn't I think of that!? :p
I was glad to see this thread! I have been reading other posts about others who have great success with their first shave and feeling like this may not be for me!
I've been working on converting to straight from safety over the past two weeks. Starting with just the side burn lines - a week in, I had four cuts across my cheeks and was dragging the blade in new areas with no hair coming off! I had the blade sharpened by Lynn, but I was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with it!
Today I finally had a breakthrough - I was able to shave most of my face with the straight, and realize a faster paced shave helps with the dragging - all but under the nose...that will come.
I know that I have learned a lot, but it seems that a lot of it is just about letting the body figure out how to do it.
Today was going great, I got overly confident...and ended up with my biggest gash so far! So, I guess I learned today that I need to be patient!
For me - I bought an old JA Henkle 401 with a sharp corner edge from the classifieds, and all of my cuts have come from the sharp corner at the foot of the blade - as I am exiting the stroke and I drag the point across my face.
I'm thinking of selling it and getting a rounded blade.
One things for sure - working with the straight this past two weeks had really improved my safety razor technique!
Ritchy,
Be patient I will work out. I have only been shaving since Christmas it is sometimes frustrating. I have an old Henckels 17 and love it.
I'm about 7 shaves in to straight razor shaving. It's slowly improving, although I'm still cutting myself more than I'd like. My last shave was nice and close. I'm just hoping that, with practice, there'll be less bleeding and less skin irritation. Am considering going to a barber this week and getting him to talk me through it as he shaves me.
Before selling and replacing why not just round off the point?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ritchy
Now there's an idea - I should be thinking like this! Just work it of on a sharpening stone? Not exactly sure how to work with the metal for that much of a change.
May I suggest if you havn't already make a post in the introductions then do a search or people in your area. I have found everyone here is super helpful.
Don't feel bad at all. There are many many more posts about first shaves gone wrong than first shaves that went well. If you fall into the former category consider yourself normal :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ritchy
Grow a goatee for a few weeks. It gives you the easy stuff to shave for a while. When you get that down, shave off the goatee
Careful with this. With repeated and/or prolonged use an allergy can develop. I had to see a dermatologist and he took one look at me and knew what it was. It is so common, he was publishing a study on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by eod7