Thread: First Shave.. good results but razor burn

I just finished my first shave with a my new dovo shavette. After reading through alot of the forums I limited my shave to both sides of my face from my sideburns down and did not attempt to shave around my chin, under my nose, or my neck. I finished off the shave using my regular razor and then followed up with a alum block.

I have to say that with the shavette I got a closer and smoother shave than I have ever gotten with multiple passes with my Mach 3, however I did end up with a decent amount of razor burn. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this? Or is this just to be expected with the first few shaves?

Shavettes are very unforgiving of poor technique compared to real straights. Very shallow angle and zero pressure is necessary or razor burn (or blood) will be the result. That would be a good starting point. I've had exceptionally smooth shaves from a shavette, yet have suffered razor burn and ingrowns. I would strongly recommend getting a real SR down the road - the shaves are better and far more enjoyable.

Razor burn is normally caused by too much pressure on the blade. With a shavette, _any_ pressure is too much pressure!

If you're used to shaving with a cartridge, it will take a while to develop a much, much lighter touch than you've been using. But you _will_ do it.

I've never used an alum block. If you're not bleeding, I don't see much value in it. And I don't think it will help your razor burn at all. Don't use any alcohol-based aftershave, either.

No big cuts, no bloody sections -- you're doing OK.

. charles

The best way I found to train myself is to stop mid stroke and take into account how much pressure I am putting on the razor. You should be able to pick it up off your skin with no real change of direction, just a simple lift. It may sound dumb, but if you try it you will understand.

I am right there with you on this. The first shave destroyed me with razor burn, no cuts, but just the irritation. I am using the parker shavette which has the smaller piece of blade, but like everyone said here, it is a pressure thing. My first shave I felt pulling etc, as I went on...I think tomorrow in total will be maybe my 8th or so shave with a shavette because I don't have a traditional SR yet, and I have arrived at a point where I only have 1 or two trouble areas as far as burn. You almost need to barely touch your skin with the shavette I have found.

Also, I don't know if this is something you are doing, but a confident stroke will also help versus a shakey slow one. You don't need to move like lightning or anything, but my first shave was really slow and I think that really contributed to added pressure and ultimately razor burn. Good luck though, it truly does get better and much more enjoyable. I am looking forward to a new SR very soon.

Thank you for the advice. I will sure to be more aware of the pressure I am putting on the blade during my shave.

I was wondering if using a pre shave oil may also help?

Originally Posted by RyDev87

I was wondering if using a pre shave oil may also help?

There are many that swear by shave oil. There's no harm in trying.

I'm still a beginner in SRS and definitely had a lot of razor burn but have found even after saving for a few weeks that it's not nearly as bad.. As my technique is getting a little better I find it has lowered the razor burn a lot. Now if only I could stop cutting myself lol. Baby steps

Originally Posted by RyDev87

. . . .

I was wondering if using a pre shave oil may also help?

Try some olive oil, or almond oil, or grapeseed oil. A bit of glycerin in the lather may also help. As my technique improved, I used them less and less.

"Less pressure" is the key.

. Charles

Originally Posted by RyDev87

I just finished my first shave with a my new dovo shavette. After reading through alot of the forums I limited my shave to both sides of my face from my sideburns down and did not attempt to shave around my chin, under my nose, or my neck. I finished off the shave using my regular razor and then followed up with a alum block.

I have to say that with the shavette I got a closer and smoother shave than I have ever gotten with multiple passes with my Mach 3, however I did end up with a decent amount of razor burn. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this? Or is this just to be expected with the first few shaves?

Welcome to your first shave!

Glad to hear that you had a smoother shave

Great choice on the alum block, I'd also recommend an aftershave balm. I'm using one from the bodyshop thats unscented that seems to work nicely (theres only one for men in there so its easy to find haha).

Your shave is to be expected for the first go on the shavette. I started out with the shavette myself and with my face and my learning curve it took me a good 4 months before I was able to shave with a fresh shavette blade (black dovo disposable blades) and not cut myself - that first blade is pretty harsh. Your technique should improve after 7-10 shaves where you're not getting any, or significant, razor burn unless you're using a fresh blade.

The alum is really great for letting you know where you are using bad technique as well since the skin will burn... so you get the feedback of "oh damn, I had too much pressure/bad angle/whatever on my chin/neck/somewhere" and it really helps for feedback.

The other big thing is to make sure you get your lather down perfectly. Mix a few bowls of lather until you;re able to do it in your sleep - there are some good tutorials on this site, blade and badger, and on youtube that should help you out. Adding some Glycerine (you can get it at the supermarket pharmacy) really makes a nice addition to the lather as well.

Now just to make things even more complicated..... you will discover (if you become so inclined) that certain soaps/creams will effect your shave differently - smoothness, cuts (although that might be technique/mistake haha), razor burn - can all happen from a soap that doesnt really like your face... or at least like your face with that particular pass.

As an illustration: Porasso Green cream likes to give razor burn if I do ATG but is wonderfully refreshing on the initial WTG pass, so if I want a really luxurious shave and have a few days of beard growth I'll make initial lather of Porasso Green and the on the ATG or XTG pass I'll make another batch of lather using The New York Shaving Company Elizabeth Street cream - which really gives a nice smooth finish for me.

There are so many tricks and combinations you can do to really enhance your shave that it can be a lot of fun.

Good luck on your future shaves!