Thread: The Great North.

Welcome to the forum. The previous suggestions are all good ones. I have no prep routine other than wet my face and lather so no suggestions there.

I find if my angle and pressure are wrong I get irritation but not to the extent you seem to get. You could try placing the head of the DE flat on your face and rotate the handle downward till you feel the blade. That should give you a starting point for an angle. You have to keep adjusting to maintain that angle as you follow the contours of your face. The pressure on your face should be no more than the weight of the razor with you simply guiding it. Do not try to remove all the stubble in one pass.

Do not use alum block on razor burn as bad as yours is as it would be an unpleasant experience. If the Aqua Velva stings the alum would be even worse.

I have found Nivea for sensitive skin with aloe after shave balm very good for soothing and healing.

I shave daily and like my cold water shaves. Eliminating one thing at a time from your routine is a very good way to try and see what if anything is wrong with your routine. Good luck on finding the cure.

Bob

You are getting good advice. But, if you have not been using an alum block as yet, don't start until you know what's happening. You very well could be sensitive to a number of items. At the start of my straight shaving I thought hot water, hot lather, hot rinse was the way to go. Well, ouch, ouch and ouch. I am sensitive to menthol, eucalyptus oil, Shea butter, alum, etc. Solution, cold water shave and rinse and no alcohol based afters. I agree a cold water shave will alleviate many problems. And removing one item at a time is a valid process. But, unless there is a definite need for a three pass BBS shave every time it might be prudent to stick with a two pass shave with minor touch ups in areas. And also consider just a two pass shave with minor touch ups with a DE or SE (less irritation). And watch the pressure, light as a feather actually gets more than less removed. And most suggested, and most used, Nivea Aftershave Balm for Sensitive Skin. You also might be sensitive to the scent in an aftershave.

I'm going to wait a few days and then try out cold water. As for an Alum block where would I be able to buy one of those other than online?

Originally Posted by zachxmclaughlin

I'm going to wait a few days and then try out cold water. As for an Alum block where would I be able to buy one of those other than online?

Cold water sounds like a plan but I would forget about the alum. If your face is a irritated/razor burned as it looks, applying alum to it will send you howling around the room backwards from the stinging. I would get the irritation controlled first before I tried using alum block.

Bob

Welcome to the forum...I'm also in Toronto.

There are a few places to order in the Toronto/GTA area, as well as a nice store on the Danforth...Men's Essentials that have an awful lot of soaps and shaving related products if you want to browse.

Take your time, most times, any questions you have can be answered using the search function, there's so much valuable information and video's here, this place is like the University of Wet Shaving....enjoy!

Originally Posted by zachxmclaughlin

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Well, it is hard to tell just from the info provided, but it seems your routine is solid. What you have not mentioned is your shaving technique. Seems to me those small nicks could be due to an overly aggressive angle? I would try shaving with a lower angle and see if that helps. Also, remember gently does it, and cut back to one or two passes until you can do that without problems. Best of luck.

As other members have suggested. Hold off on the alum until the face isn't red an irritated. The alum will burn and sting. It's a good gauge to tell if your using to much pressure and causing irritation with your shaves. I wound skip the ATG pass and try avoiding hot water on your face. Cold water is your friend. Good Luck Zac.

Seems like a too much presure and not so good soaps. Blade dulling could also be the problem. Im somewhat local to Toronto if you need face time.

Hi and welcome. From similar problems I have had I would suggest pressure, angle and technique will be the best things to concentrate on. Good luck