Thread: little bumps on the chin, what gives?

i've looked around some of the archives, but haven't found anything about this... if i've over-looked something, please forgive me.

i've been shaving exclusively with straights for six months now, but i still have a recurring problem with little bumps on the upper half of my chin. i have rather sensitive skin and when i was first starting out, i irritated the crap out of myself by taking a very long time to shave (first complete shave took 1 1/2 hours). sometimes the soap would dry out, but even if it didn't, it would kill to have any kind of lather on my face for that long. [i tried taylors sensitive cream, but found better results off their hard soaps; and trumper's skin food KILLED by the way, thayer's witch hazel was about all i could take].

back in the earlier days, i'd go a few days in between shaves just to let my face heal. but now i shave regularly without any real issues. i usually only do a with the grain pass; the few times i've done accross the grain shaves on my neck, i've had to wait a few days to heal. i have razors from 4/8 wedges to full 8/8 henckels and shave as frequently as time permits. i can now use alcohol-based after shave and have slowly warmed up to shaving creams.

BUT...

i still get these little breakouts of tiny, tiny bumps on my chin (mostly in the flat section just below the lower-lip and above the "rounded" part of my chin). they only appear when i stretch out my lower lip with my tongue. i tend to have fewer issues in dry weather than in high humidity, and they seem less intense when i shave with the heavier blades. however, i've had barber shaves and still get these "break outs." both barbers (one in taiwan and one in new york) complained that my chin was super gnarly to shave by the way.

i've gone 10 days without shaving my chin, but the bumps didn't fully go away. i even tried shaving with a gilette today just to see if it could be a straight-only issue. but with the gilette, the bumps were worse than usual.

i remember months ago, somebody posting about rosacea. however, after looking at pictures on the rosacea site, i don't think this is the same thing. i have yet to see a dermatologist, but i'm curious to know if any of you fellas have had experience with similar symptoms.

any advice?

much appreciated,
jake
taipei, taiwan

Jake, I'd see a dermatologist if I were you.

Are the bumps around your hair?
If so, sounds like the acutal hair folicles are having some kind of imflamitory response.
Did you have these bumbs before shaving with a straight?
Try shaving with just hot water and a Mach3, see if its a chemical thing from any kind of soap/cream you may use. Allergic reaction could be a culprit.
Try shaving with just some normal hard hand soap that you have used before on your face with no trouble.

No matter what though, see a dermatoloigst.
Good luck!

Hi Jake,

I agree with the other posts - definitely see a dermatologist.

This might sound a bit facetious (not meant that way), but have you considered growing a goatee/beard over your chin? I'll confess to being a bit biased, having one myself (I'm as bald as a badger, and need a bit of facial hair so as to avoid comparisons with cueballs etc. ).

Just a thought - but it sounds like avoiding your chin when shaving might be a good idea, at least until you get better options from a dermatologist.

James

There are some people who develop little bumps all over their face and these people pretty much have to use an..gasp.. electric razor because any blade will cut into the bumps. I don't know if this is your problem but I agree with the others and have a skin Dr. check it out.