Thread: My dermatologist said...

This morning I went to the dermatologist for something on my back. While there she asked about my razor burn. I told her I was wet shaving and used a puck and some aftershave, and sometimes some balm. She said to stop right away. What?!

According to the doc, I am now to use a gel, like Edge unscented (yuck!) and the lotion she prescribed. THe Rx is for a mixture of Loprox and Cleocin lotions. From what I found on a basic search this is antibiotic mixture. I guess she thinks my burn is minor skin infections on my neck.

I can't make myself go back to the goo of a canned gel. So that will have to wait. However, I'm willing to try the lotion for a few weeks.

My current aftershave rotation included has been Clubman Bay Rum, Vanilla and some Burt's Bees aftershave. Soaps rotation include Col. Conk and Burt's Bees.

Has anyone heard of this prescription before? What about any unscented soaps that may be out there?

Colonel Conk used to cause me some irritation... I'd suggest upgrading the soap and, if need be, get a better (Softer tip) brush... Also, less pressure from the razor if that is a concern...

For me, at least, going back to the canned stuff would make my complexion FAAAAR worse.

Also, quit using the alcoholic/stingy aftershaves (for now) go to Nivea For Men Post Shave Balm (the replenishing one) or some Witch Hazel.. Just use those till it goes away (although her lotion probably wouldn't hurt)

Just from my perspective, Don't go back to Gillette.

Good Luck!

Cheers,
Jeremy

There are plenty of unscented shave soaps. Look at Mitchell's Wool Fat -- it's practically unscented but I'm not sure if it has other ingredients which might cause irritation.

I know Mama Bear has some natural soaps. I'm not a doctor but maybe there's also a suggestion that the brush is causing irritation? I suspect that getting a natural, unscented soap and then applying a built lather by hand would be better than Edge unscented goo.

Ive never used this but it looks like it would work well.

Thayers Medicated Superhazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringent - $9.95 : Thayers Natural Remedies, Since 1847

Thayers Medicated Superhazel is great stuff but I would follow doctor's orders until it clears up then proceed. Better safe than sorry IMO.

Another thing to try, if you are doing an ATG pass, stop doing it. Because I started out doing the ATG pass, I still have some lumps and bumps on my neck that get irritated if I am not careful. The ATG pass leaves my face red and sore, and a barber at Trumpers told me never to shave that way.

He also said the same thing as Jeremy. No alcohol based lotions on the bits of the face that you shave. It dries out the skin and irritates it. Use a Nivea balm, or skin food or something, on the bits you have shaved to sooth the skin and protect it. Use the AS/cologne behind your ears and on your wrists only.

Good luck!

yeah, i think Jeremy has the right idea. It's probably your soap and or and aftershave your using or your technique(pressure). I have sensitive skin but i don't really expose any open flesh wounds when shaving (pimples etc.). more than likely your reacting to the soap/additives in your setup or your pores are becoming blocked and or retaining foreign debris which could be causing your razor burn/possible infection. maybe check out the post shave treatment forum To use or Not to Use it may be helpful? and for sure let any sores or redness heal before shaving again.

Originally Posted by Stubear

Another thing to try, if you are doing an ATG pass, stop doing it. Because I started out doing the ATG pass, I still have some lumps and bumps on my neck that get irritated if I am not careful. The ATG pass leaves my face red and sore, and a barber at Trumpers told me never to shave that way. Good luck!

Stubear has a point there. If I do BBS w/ ATG every day, I eventually find my face sore with bumps and lumps. Skip the ATG and see if it helps. I have friends in the same boat who simply cannot afford BBS every day. That's one nice thing about straights, you can fine tune your technique to eliminate "overshaving".

I'd definitely recommend trying the witch hazel and avoiding your other aftershaves for now. An alum block would be good to have as well.
A softer brush may help, and it may not. Just lather gently when you're on your face.
Shave with less pressure and definitely avoid ATG (at least for now) as Stuart suggested.
Try a good, gentle soap. Something like MWF would be good. Or you could use Kiss My Face unscented cream. Ditch the Col. Conk's and Burts Bee's, because they have bad reviews and/or are known for irritating the skin.

My biggest, biggest suggestion though is to try Aloe Vera gel. Pure Aloe Vera gel has been really really great for my skin. Don't get any of the weird stuff, but the kind that a place like Whole Foods would have. 99% pure Aloe Vera. This and witch hazel have been really nice for my skin and the total cost really isn't that much. About 10-13 bucks at Whole Foods I'd guess.

At any point did you ask her why as a medical professioinal she suggested using canned gel? I've found (in my experience) that just because someone is a "Dr." that doesn't mean they know jack about s**t. You'll probably find that she is basing this "treatment" on the general misconceptions that people have regarding wetshaving in general.
Just my $0.02

Michael