Skin Irritation.

Hello Everybody

Right then so I recently started shaving with a straight razor (about 6 weeks) and I seem to be having some problems. After I have done a two pass shave I find I have terrible skin irritation, I develop lots of little red spots and blotches on my face and it lasts a few days. I can't figure out what the issue is. I know my razor is sharp as I have had it honed and it can pass the hanging hair test anywhere along the blade. I feel as if my technique isn't that bad as I can get a close shave pretty much all over except for some areas of my neck. I don't know if it is my soap as after the first pass, when I reapply I find the soap burns my skin and dries up very quickly (its edwin jagger btw). I've been looking into getting some Mama Bear's soap as it seems to have great reviews. I shave every three days.

If someone could help that would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

My immediate reaction is too much pressure or too extreme of an angle as i have never had lather burn my face between passes.

You didn't mention your prep process, do you strop your razor before hand, how do you generate lather, do you use brush, kind of brush

the more information you provide the better response you will get

I'm a noobie to Straights but have been using DE's for years. This kind of thing happens to me if I use a new blade and end up putting too much pressure on it while shaving. I can get super smooth shaves but if I've used too much presure, the top layer of skin gets abraided a bit and can lead to a burning feeling on touch up passes along with red splotches. Maybe trying a bit less pressure with the blade against your skin would help?

It could be a few things but based on what I’m hearing from you, it could be a reaction to the Edwin Jagger product. In fact, I myself noticed this the last time I used it and wasn’t sure if it was the soap or my shave. You could be mildly allergic to something in it. Try a different brand and see if matters improve. Check our Proraso or something decent but reasonably priced so it doesn’t cost you much to try the experiment. Red blotches sounds like a reaction not razor burn.

Typically with rookies skin irritation is a very common issue.

The answer lies in either fewer passes or less pressure or a shallower angle or a dull blade or a combination of those factors.

I had the same issue when I started. Time corrected the situation for me.

I think we all have gone through some degree of this. Above answers are good for trouble shooting! If you have an issue not wanting to be out and about with the red skin, I suggest some cortizone cream. At first it will seem a little more red, but after a few minutes the red dissipates well and you don't look like you have just taken off your skin! (Of course, it still feels a bit like you have!)

I recommend an alcohol splash. It helps clean and sanitize the little nicks - they are there even if you can't see them. If it burns, it works. Best of luck.

When ever i hear passes the hang hair test i think it could be over honed. But more than likely its presure and angle. A good pre shave prep is very important, im a fan of the proraso preshave cream.

There is a small chance it is your soap and skin reacting. The top of my cheeks below my eyes is extremely sensitive (burns with curtains soaps) and it seems to make my entire face hurt if my cheeks start burning

That being said. You are probably using to much pressure. You may even say to yourself. I'm not putting any pressure on. But it is one of those things you have to stop mid stroke and evaluate. Especially when you get into it. You literally should only put enough pressure to keep the blade on your skin and move it perpendicular to your face. Also I recommend splashing water on your face and getting a good aftershave. I actually had razor burn problems until I started using an an aftershave with alcohol in it. Which seems odd. Keep at it!

It could well be any of the things stated above. Do you have an alum block? Wet it with cold water & rub on your face after a shave. Stings for 20 seconds but seems to reduce redness quite quickly. I also find that it gives you an idea how irritating the shave has been by how much it stings.

Hello Gents,

Thank you all very much for the responses, I didn't even realise you guys had replied, the email went straight into my spam folder and I only just noticed ha. So just a little update, I changed from using my Edwin Jagger to using just my old regular shaving gel and the results are amazing! I just squirt a little amount onto the end of my badger brush (its not the best) and just apply like that and it works wonders! My face feels amazing without any irritation and I can get a really close shave. My normal routine is strop my razor, wash my face with hot water to open my pours, apply lather and start shaving, then just apply a moisturiser cream afterwards and then my face feels great! However a lot of you guys have mentioned I may be applying too much pressure so from now on I think I will take that into account and see if it makes my shaves even better. I'm still going to get some Mama Bears soap I think though and try that out, any of you guys used it before? whats the verdict?

Thanks again dudes!

Ah ha! I don't have any experience with the Mama Bear's, but you can definitely do better than your shaving gel. What ever you do, hang on to that jar of Edwin Jagger. If this ever happens again, you can compare the list of ingredients and figure out which ingredient your skin is reacting to.

a pro on here gave me advice to use two spines as an angle.. tried that the other day and boy what a difference.. maybe give that a go to get your angle down..
cheers