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Thread: Can't avoid the irritation
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05-14-2019, 11:01 AM #1
Not sure if it toughens the skin, but maybe it learns to regenerate quicker, from the constant micro abrasions.
I too, started with only doing a WTG pass, and it helped tremendously.
Once I learned to hone a proper edge, and get my technique dialed in, along with pressure, its been a total bliss.
Mapping my beard was a big key to shaving ATG. But now with over 30 years with a straight, its like breathing air, or riding a bike.Mike
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05-14-2019, 11:55 AM #2
As your edges and technique improves BBS will come.
Always shave for comfort first, a comfortable shave with some stubble left and a good skin feel is much better than a BBS shave with painful skin that takes a while to heal.
I can't stand a DE shave tbh, I strongly dislike the blades.
What helped for me was not to lather up my entire face and proceed to shave. I would lather up half my face and take my time shaving that, taking my time to stretch well adjust my shaving angle and shaving stroke. Take the time to feel how it shaves and adjust the angle and pressure where needed, try different thing see what works best, I like a very shallow shaving angle.
Don't apply too much pressure.
I like focusing on shaving smaller patches per time. I also lather up in "areas", first the right side of my face, then the left, then the middle. It's also convenient for skin stretching to not be all lathered up (although alum rocks for this)
I have a small part on my neck that gets razor bumps if I don't shave it right. It's very peculiar about how I shave it, but sadly there's only one way to find out what will and will not cause them: shave it in a few different ways. Stretch up or down, shave from N-S or S-N or E-W, W-E, etc; it can all matter.
A certainly honed edge can also limit razor bumps IME, but it's mostly about technique and figuring out how to shave your face best
and don't shave with dried out lather (:Last edited by TristanLudlow; 05-14-2019 at 11:58 AM.
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The Following User Says Thank You to TristanLudlow For This Useful Post:
MikeT (05-14-2019)
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05-14-2019, 04:25 PM #3
Now that's some golden advice, all of the above.
I like getting the reminders of the things that I often forget.
Great replies!
A post shave toner spray feels quite nice and helps soothe and restore skin. I like it because I can spray it on and not touch my face, and do that several times over the next 48hrs.
Skin definitely toughens up.
I'm up to twice a week, so my skin is getting "conditioned" to more frequent shaving after a long term beard.“You must unlearn what you have learned.”
– Yoda
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05-14-2019, 04:47 PM #4
I think the face gets used to the feel of a straight. Not really toughen up. JMO. I used to get an odd feeling after a shave and my skin felt sensitive after a shave. I found it was my edge not being sharp enough. The idea that the hairs were cut off at an angle. Not straight across the hairs. After learning to put a keener edge on my razors ive not had this happen again.
Glad you are figuring out what is going on. One step in the right direction at a time and soon the DE will find a dusty drawer to sit in.It's just Sharpening, right?
Jerry...
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05-14-2019, 05:08 PM #5
I definitely need to map my beard. For the most part my face is easy, it's the neck that's horrible and is the source of most irritation as the hair grows in different directions.
This is some excellent stuff, thanks Tristan. What you said about shaving for comfort and what RezDog said above about shaving the lather and not the whiskers is something that I had never really thought about, BBS shave was always the primary focus, much to the detriment of my skin.
Also shaving a portion/area of my face at a time, definitely something I will try as I focus on improving technique rather than attacking the whole face at once.
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05-15-2019, 01:29 PM #6
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Thanked: 563As you learn to shave more efficiently, your speed in shaving will increase. At the start, slow it down and make sure the lather is still wet and slick on the part of your face you are shaving.
That’s why shaving your face in sections is a great suggestion: lather the section you are about to shave after you have lathered your whole face. If you do that, the lather on that section will be fresh and will provide better lubrication. Don’t be afraid to lather several times if necessary. Soap is cheap compared to skin!David
“Shared sorrow is lessened, shared joy is increased”
― Spider Robinson, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon
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05-15-2019, 04:57 PM #7
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Thanked: 292It sounds like you getting razor bumps or in-grown hairs from shaving your face to closely. If you shave such that the hair folicules are cut off below skin level, they can turn and start burrowing into your skin with painful results. Due to the bumps, let your beard row out for four days before the next shave. Because you anticipate it will be four days before you shave again, you once again shave too closely.
I would suggest you shave more frequent, perhaps even daily, but do not try to get a BBS shave. Perhaps only shave a single pass WTG and leave it at that. Do not be concerned with getting a close shave, for now a socially acceptable shave will do. Use the least aggressive razor equipped with the least aggressive blade that will achieve that result. If doing a single pass WTG eliminates the issue, after a few weeks, you might try adding a second XTG to see if you can get a little closer. Avoid ATG passes and buffing as that is likely to be the trigger for your problems.