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I thought long and hard before starting this thread, But here goes.
I always seem to be irritation from using a brush regardless of the type of bristles, does anyone else have similar problems or know of a solution?
Am I missing out on getting a better shave by not using a brush?
Would a better quality brush solve the problem, or would I simply be throwing money down the sink (in a manner of speaking) :confused:
Doublewood,
What types of brushes have you tried? You could be allergic to badger or boar. I used synthetic brushes for years - although they aren't as soft, don't hold water as well, and aren't as durable they work okay.
Just a thought.
I have three brushes.
Vulfix 2332 Super badger
Edwin Jagger Best Badge
An Unknown Manuf Synthetic
I have tried using really gentle brush strokes but to no avail, the irritation seems to build up during the shave not straight away, the stiffness of the bristles doesn't seem to make any difference either, the synthetic being the stiffest, and the super badger the softest.
If I appy the creme/gel with my finger (no irritation)
A super badger is usually so light on your face you can hardly feel it. Even if you were using it way too hard with the lather I can't see getting irritation. From a Pure Badger, yes. I would explore a possible allergy to the badger hair.
I have some pretty sensitive skin (hence switching to straights v. disposables), and I have noticed the same thing.
Even with really floppy, soft badger brushes I still get slight skin irritation. Not bad, but it's noticeable. You ain't the only one!
A lot of the time, I don't use a brush at all for a days worth of growth. Not really worth the time and effort.... Now for several days growth I definitely whip out the brush. In that time my skin has recovered enough that a brushing doesn't bother me too bad.
You might also look into finding a creme (something akin to the old Burma Shave) that can be rubbed into the face with your fingers so that you can avoid brushes altogether.
That's exactly what I mean in my previous post. It works pretty well to squirt a bit into the palm and lather in your hands or on your face.Quote:
Originally Posted by nun2sharp
do you use the same cream/soap with and without brush?
just a thought
yeah, I only have about 5+ different creams that I currently rotate through, and they all work just fine either way.
Yes use the same ones in sequence with/without the brushQuote:
Originally Posted by janivar123
+1 on Nun2Sharp's suggestion of using your fingers. Actually, a few old Barber texts from the turn of the century that I have copies of state that it is preferred that you rub the lather into your beard with the finger tips.
You can still use the brush to whip up the lather, but apply it with your finger tips.
Good luck!
If you're able to avoid irritation by avoiding a brush, I think you should continue doing so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doublewood
You've tried a representative sample of brushes. After trying what the experts recommend, you need to tailor your shaving experience to your individual needs even if that means no brush at all.
you should try this..
Alba | Shaves
Just some questions,
What other products do you use on your face? Shaving and non.
What is your pore size?
Do you have apparent acne or recurring acne problems?
Do you have any scarring from acne, pox, etc?
When you wash your face what do you use? Puff? Cloth? Sea sponge? Loofah?
-G
I have a ragime of using facial scrub followed by facial wash to remove the scrub, and shave gel.Quote:
Originally Posted by deighaingeal
I have always used hot towels since starting shaving.
I have clean skin with open pores.
It is only the brush that causes the irritation.
I would say your problem is a combination of your facial cleaning routine and the added abrasion of the straight razor causing a layer of skin that is either being additionally abraded by the brush, or more likely the fresh skin is having an allergic reaction to the bristles.
Many people are stuck in the routine of a facial scrub, but with a straight they are unnecessary. The exfoliation caused by the razor is plenty for healthy skin. There is also a possibility of your cleanser causing a chemical exfoliation thus increasing the irritation.
Along the lines of abrasion there is a possibility that when you use your fingers you find yourself adding a little extra water to the lather creating an extra slick surface. Or with the difference in lather your could be shaving slightly different; either an angle or pressure change.
Just some thoughts.
-G
Thanks for your observations, I will certainly try a shave without the scrub, but using a brush to see if the irritation is lessened or disappears altogether :)Quote:
Originally Posted by deighaingeal
Just an update, I tried a shave without the scrub :) irritation disappeared.Quote:
Originally Posted by deighaingeal
I made some lather applied with the brush, no irritation, then showered and scrubbed, completed the shave irritation returned.
So brush or no brush Scrub or no scrub my choice :)
So your synopsis was correct Deighaingeal thanks.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread.
Glad I could be of some service.
-G
You might also try separating your shave from your facial scrubbing, by putting one at each end of the day. You might end up with the best of both worlds then.
Mick
Good on deighaingeal for digging in and asking questions, and listening to the answers. :beer1:
I too have sensitive skin. I used to be very skeptical that something as soft and luxurious as a badger brush could actually have exfoliating properties, but it definitely does. I love stiff brushes, but they don't love me back. I would get occasional irritation, and was never sure why.
Then one day, had just bought a new shaving brush (a stiff Rooney), and was lathering up multiple times using two other brushes and the Rooney, to compare them. No shave mind you, just lathering and rinsing multiple times. When I was done, my cheeks looked like they were sunburned! Very embarrassing. :roflmao
I grudgingly switched to softer brushes (Kents mostly), and haven't had an issue since. In the process, I've honestly come to prefer softer brushes, especially the big Kents. The one "flier" I have is a Straight Razor Designs brush in super that is quite stiff in terms of backbone, but has the softest tips of any brush I've ever tried. Never an issue.
I have allergies and my 1st few uses of my boar brush seemed a little uncomfortable but I don't even notice it now and no irritation either.
FWIW, boar will soften up a LOT as you use it, and lots of my well-broken-in boar brushes are softer on the skin than some of my stiffer badger brushes. It's kind of a myth that boar=stiff and uncomfortable and badger=soft and luxurious, so if you find yourself having an allergic reaction to badger, by all means try a boar brush before you give up on brushes entirely. Most people don't stick with a boar brush long enough to break in the tips, so they miss out on how great a well-used boar brush is for lathering.