Thread: Burning when lathering

Ok, for a newbie who is trying to get into straight razor shaving, I am just starting out and bought a boar bristle brush and Williams Mug soap. I have even tried the Proraso shave cream. I don't even have a straight razor yet (working on it) but am still using cartridge razors like I have been for the last 12 years or so.

Anyway, when I put the soap/cream on, my face kind of stings. Is this normal when starting out? Is this just my face getting used to the brush?

Anyone experience this? I know I am not using the silvertip badger brush, but I didn't think it would sting!

Thanks,

Are you saying the soap burns or is it the scratchyness of the brush. Both soaps you have are rather benign so they shouldn't burn unless your razor is doing a number on your face in which case probably any soap would burn. If its the scratchyness of the brush, some like that and some don't. Brushes, especially badger come in all configurations and degrees of softness. You could try a nylon brush for a couple bucks and see if there is a difference. The cheapest badger will probably cost you about $30.

Harsh brushes are more likely to cause burning. I had that effect when using a plastic bristled brush and boar-bristled ones feel even harsher. As soon as I went with badger, the problem got eliminated. On that note, Tweezerman badger brushes are cheap and you can get'em for $15 shipped on e-bay.

What did you use before you tried the mug/soap/brush?

I assume you bought your Boars Hair brush new... did you wash it with anything to get the "smell" out that new boars brushes tend to have? If so, are you sure you rinsed it well enough to get whatever out?

Suppose you whip up a big pile of lather in your mug and gently spread it on your wet face with your fingertips... just like you would spread an aerosol foam lather. Does that burn?

As thebigspendur said, Williams and Proraso soaps are pretty benign. Proraso creme has a little methol in it if I recall. Are you allergic to any soaps?

Joe (and all)

I used to use gillette gel and either the Mach 3 or the new fusion. I still use the fusion (trying to buy a new straight razor) but I thought I would start with the lather part and try to get that down.

I am not allergic to any soaps but my skin does dry out every once and a while.

I started with a burma shave brush and am trying a new boar bristle one. I will see how that works. I will also try the method of putting it on with my fingers.

One thing that may be the problem is that I used to shave with the cartridge razors with and against the grain. Then for a while I went to just with the grain. Recently, since getting the brush and soap, I went back to going against the grain as well. That probably is adding to the problem. I will just shave with the grain now since I am still using cartridge razors and see how the soaps/creams work with the brush.

go to walgreens, CVS, etc. and see if you can find a puck of Van Der Hagen (also known as surrey) and see if this soap does the same thing with the same brush. If it does then it's the brush, if not then it would be the soap or something in the soap.

Just a suggestion.

Be sure to clean the brush thoroughly with a shampoo you use regularly first, though.

Glen F

The brush I am using is a Van Der Hagen boar bristle brush.

I have tried washing the brush already but will do so again.

I just don't know what it is, my face is much more agitated now that I am using a brush and soap/cream vice the normal gillette gel. I just don't get it. I never really had bad irritation or razor burn, but now my face is stinging and burning hours after the shave. I even have had that incredible stinging feeling back on my face when using aftershave that I have not had in years.

I will continue at it but may take a day or two off before I continue using the brush and soap.

I guess my face is just getting used to having a brush on it - I don't know?

Mike,

My Mach 3 always gave me a lot of irritation, and when I started learning to shave with a straight I was causing more irritation by finishing up with my Mach 3 than I was getting from the straight.

I took a side trip and spent a month learning to shave with a double-edged razor. It was worth it to be able to get rid of the Mach 3 for good.

My guess is that it's the razor, not the brush, that's causing the irritation. You might want to go back to shaving with the grain for a while. Against the grain is pretty aggressive on the first pass. (You'll want to get in this habit when you start using your new straight anyway.)

Good luck,
Josh

Does your Gillette Gel contain a topical anaesthetic? I've heard that some do...

Also, you may be using too much pressure and the gel was thick enough to save your skin. You can lather the williams pretty thick as well, though it has a tendency to dry out like that - this just means you'll have to refresh your lather a little more often.

Try another soap (the surrey is a good one to try), and try the williams and surrey without the brush as well to see if that is a factor.

Tradition aside you can use a straight with a gel, just make sure to prep your beard well beforehand.

Hi,

Just thought I'd give my 2p worth as I've had similar problems in the past.

Basically, try the following:

- Make sure you thoroughly wash your face with water before doing anything else. Do not do anything until your face is dripping wet with water! Hot water is essential - I cannot stress this point enough.

- I would cease using any menthol-based cream or soap as these can cause complications to certain skin types. My personal favourite right now is Trumper's Rose cream (don't think I'd ever change it!). I haven't used the soap yet, but the cream is fantastic and is ideal for preventing burning sensations like this. Don't know the best place to get this if you're in the US, but there are loads of online places.

- I use a Badger brush and have never used a boar hair brush. Basically make sure that also soaks thoroughly in water as you are preparing your face. When applying cream or soap to your face don't press too hard - gently massage the cream into your face and just don't apply any more pressure than necessary. Perhaps the brush hairs are too thick for you face?

I don't it's your razor that's to blame, as you mentioned getting this while putting the cream on, but in any case it's always good to use a new blade if you get a problem like this. With Gillette, I was getting ingrown hairs (even while shaving with the grain) and a rash all too often. I can't tell you how smooth and clean my face looks like now.