Thread: little blood spots while shaving

Though my skin is not perfect, and I have only been using a SR for a few days, when I shave I will generally get 3 or 4 minor blood spots, I am pretty sure I am not cutting myself it is more like I am taking the top off a bump. I use a two bowl set for shaving a larger noodle bowl to hold hot water, and a shallower soup bowl that fits inside to mix lather
Routine as follows:
Boil some spring water, strop razor,
Put boiled water into large bowl, put brush in hot water, put small bowl on top,
Put glycerin and shave cream in smaller bowl to warm up,
shower, wash stubble area with shampoo, leave in for a bit.
Towel off, apply some pre shave oil (not every time am still experimenting with what works),
Retreive brush from hot water, mix up lather,
Shave - reapplying lather as required,
Cold water rinse,
Use styptic (alum block on way),
Witch hazel time,
Nivea sensitive balm,
Wait for bleeding to stop,
Clean off dried blood,
Dinner.

What are these little bumps, and what can I do to stop them?

Those reds spots are commonly referred to as weepers. In my experience they are the result of too much pressure on the blade, an overly steep blade angle or a combination of both. While I very rarely cut myself I do manage to end up with a few red spots on occasion. It's purely a technique problem that will become more managable once you are more aware of it.

Trying to rush my shave usually brings them out for me.

Thanks Bill, guess I will only improve, after all I've only had 4 practices, I generally get them on my right side, I am left handed and very un-ambidexterous (would that be uni-dexterous?) So I think the angle thing would definately play a part, I intend to try and use my right hand eventually though I am a little apprehensive as I have seen what my right hand can('t) do with scissors :-)

You may have to let your face rest and heal if you keep getting weepers in the same spot. You'll get the hang of it after a while.

Try an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin on the weepers after you shave. This will help them heal in between shaves.

Originally Posted by Silents

Try an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin on the weepers after you shave. This will help them heal in between shaves.

The same goes for using a lotion on your face/neck as well... Nivea makes a pretty good lotion for men for hands, face and body. It's helped me get rid of bumps from a not-so-keen edge. I just put a little on in the morning and a little before bed each night. The key is hydration of the skin.

Originally Posted by crouton976

The same goes for using a lotion on your face/neck as well... Nivea makes a pretty good lotion for men for hands, face and body. It's helped me get rid of bumps from a not-so-keen edge. I just put a little on in the morning and a little before bed each night. The key is hydration of the skin.

I use Nivea sensitive balm after shaving, I got one of those net body scrubber things today, and using a bit of shave cream instead of soap used it to give my stubble a quick scrub, got almost no weepers, and the ones I got stopped bleeding orety much straight away

I also use the Nivea post shave balm... great stuff! I also use the lotion in between shaves to keep my skin hydrated.

As for the cream working for you, I wonder if maybe your lather from the soap wasn't wet enough/didn't have enough cushion. Either way, I'm glad to hear you found something that works!

Use no more pressure to shave than it takes to scrape away the lather. Try scraping the lather with a butter knife for practice, just to see how little it takes.

When your blade is shave-ready, that's all it should take. Aim for the lather and the hairs will disappear like magic. Aim for the hairs and you're flirting with weepers, razor burn, cuts, and discouragement.

Originally Posted by crouton976

I also use the Nivea post shave balm... great stuff! I also use the lotion in between shaves to keep my skin hydrated.

As for the cream working for you, I wonder if maybe your lather from the soap wasn't wet enough/didn't have enough cushion. Either way, I'm glad to hear you found something that works!

Sorry didn't explain properly, did the scrub as a pre shave face cleaning thingo (in lieu of the shave oil mentioned in my OP), I lathered up properly afterwards.
Despite using a brush and soap with my cartridge Razor this is a new journey.