I just started using the straight razor. Anyone know how to help prevent razor burn? I'm desperate.
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I just started using the straight razor. Anyone know how to help prevent razor burn? I'm desperate.
Lighten up on the pressure with the razor. Also lessen the angle of the blade in your face.
Don't shave! (rimshot, please.)
+1 Thesus is spot on.......one additional factor for me is lather with enough cushion. Ideally I don't feel the edge on my skin. Well I do feel it but there is no sense it is harsh or scraping. I have found if my lather is off or I use the wrong soap I can get burnt. The right soap is what is right for your skin.
Welcome to SRP.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjp86
Yes it is all about pressure - but sometimes your face just has to get used to using the tool. It happens with DE's too. Try not to shave the day after a bad burn. That'll only make things worse.
Eventually you'll get the pressure thing down, and your face will forget what burn is.
If you have infants in the house or have friends with infants, the butt paste that you put on a kid was the best stuff I ever found to ease the pain. Made shaving the next day fine as well.
Has your razor been professionally honed or does it only have the factory edge? That can make a huge difference.
The only other thing that comes to mind is pressure, like others have mentioned. As little as possible! If you can, pretend your only scraping the lather off & avoid going against the grain for a while.
Pressure is a very good answer.
But also watch your prep. Take your time and make sure you face is thoroughly soaked. When you think it is soaked enough, apply more water just as well :)
I also find that moisturising often between shaves and using a facial scrub the day before that can also help ease irritation.
I'm going to add blade angle as well. Pressure is hugely important, but the angle you're shaving at is also very much so. Make sure the razor is no more than 30 deg, that is, the spine of the razor is about 2 spine-widths up off your skin. Pressure, angle and lather all work together to give you a great shave, or a horrible one. When I started I got a lot of burn, but then one day my pressure and angle were correct and it was an A-HA moment.
Ed
Pressure and sharpness. But less sharpness results in more pressure, so I guess pressure, really...
You are shaving with a blade that is supposed to be "razor sharp".
If you have to use pressure to cut whiskers, the razor is not "razor sharp" or shave ready.
If you solve the sharpness issue, the pressure issue goes away with it.
rip86,
As many of my good friends have suggested, keep the pressure light — the razor's weight is ample pressure. The razor's angle generally should around 20 to 30 degrees. Generally, I said, since it changes on different parts of your face, especially around the chin and mouth areas. Avoid stroking the same spot excessively. Use a sharp and shave-ready razor. Finally, never short change your preparation. Quality lather will give you moisture, glide and cushion, all the good things to protect your skin. After all, you have a piece of sharp steel traveling on your face.
rip86,
pretty much a massive +1 to everything that everyone has said so far. As a relatively new member myself I have and still go through these issues with almost every shave. It's just a matter of persevering until you get it right. The few shaves I have managed that are close and with no burn really are amazing. That all mysterious BBS shave must be one damn glorious feeling and I cannot wait to achieve it!
One more thing which I have noticed that has not been mentioned here (forgive me if I'm wrong and it already has), is to make sure that the lather you shave off of your face is still moist with plenty of cushion and glide. If the lather begins to dry out and the razor tugs at all, wipe it off and re-lather! I have found with my own shaves that this is a killer as I still take some time to shave (especially the first pass), that my lather dries out. As soon as it does, wipe it off, wet your face again and then re-lather and off you go again. If you try to shave off the dry/dryish lather, it will result in the razor sticking to your skin and wanting to dig in. It will not be a close shave and will leave burn.
Just my 2cents from my own experiences so far. Best of luck to you!
Nick
There are two approaches that I believe most often help avoid razor burn...
In the WTG pass...
Most razor burn happens when reducing the whiskers to skin level in the WTG pass. So, shave whiskers to skin level with the blade FLAT on your face. There will be some resistance, but the flat angle used moves the blade largely parallel with the skin giving a much reduced chance of razor burn. Shave with the blade flat on your face until your whiskers are at, or very close to skin level. Then, shave with the blade elevated a few degrees. Maybe shave again at about 30 degrees. You will shave at about 30 degrees the rest of the shave.
Another approach is to shave WTG with a safety razor, and finish the shave with the straight razor. By doing that, you avoid the phase of shaving most likely to create razor burn. Subsequent shaves, don't shave quite as close with the safety razor and leave progressively more for the straight razor. Back into full use of a straight razor.
As has been mentioned, pressure is really key as well as good preparation.
Another large tendency for people is to bend their wrist back with shaving which really opens up the angle of the razor which creates a scraping vs. cutting when shaving causing burning and redness. Try to pay as much attention as you can at keeping the razor parallel with the face with the spine just lifted away a touch. This should create a less than 30 degree angle which will really aid in cutting and comfort. When you are just starting out there is also a break in period of a couple days where you face will be a little red and burn lightly. With practice it will become natural, but you should always try to keep this in mind.
Have fun.