Why my skin hurts sometimes when shaving with DE?

On some days it goes smooth. I can shave and press more against the skin and not feel any skin pain, even if I see skin is red.

On other days it doesn't go well. Skin starts to hurt soon which results in small cuts and not close, bad shaving experience.

I think in first case beard doesn't feel as stubborn as in latter case. Plus, I have purchased Proraso for Sensitive Skin which doesn't do much. Actually I think after I started using it, my VanDerHagen badger shaving bursh started to lose hair even more than with VanDerHagen soap.

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Originally Posted by DEart

On some days it goes smooth. I can shave and press more against the skin and not feel any skin pain, even if I see skin is red.

On other days it doesn't go well. Skin starts to hurt soon which results in small cuts and not close, bad shaving experience.

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I think that you will be happier if you stop trying to use more pressure when you shave and start trying to use consistent light pressure instead. Even with the safety bar on a DE you can easily exceed the blade pressure that your skin can tolerate.

Very light pressure will give you a much more reliable and comfortable shave. If you want a closer shave than you are getting now just do another pass. My experience with both safety razors and straights is that if I irritate my skin with too much pressure, wrong angle, or whatever it seems to swell a little. After a while the skin returns to normal and I get stubble.

+1 to what Bill said, here is a brief explanation from the SRP library ; The Multiple Pass Shaving Technique - Straight Razor Place Library

+1 on the above. One other thing to point out is you said some days your beard feels more stubborn. Make sure you are taking the time to prep your beard to soften up the hair. Don't just lather up an put the blade to it. Hot towel or shower first is very important in my routine. Good luck.

Are these days just after boozy nights? Circulating Aldehydes are famous to render some hyperalgesy. My shaves hurts a lot on hungover mornings.

Pressure,angle, prep are of course Paramount to any good shave,
How many shaves are you trying to get from the blades you are using??
The best IMO are Feathers,Kais and Balzanos,The are (in my case) only good for no more than 3 two pass shaves.
Try to push it more things are not good for me.

As does everything else.....

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Originally Posted by Matheus

Are these days just after boozy nights? Circulating Aldehydes are famous to render some hyperalgesy. My shaves hurts a lot on hungover mornings.

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i find that i need a more aggressive razor equaling less passes. but i use a fresh blade each time as well. plus if you are new to this it will take time for your skin to adjust. just go slow and enjoy your shave.

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Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

+1 on the above. One other thing to point out is you said some days your beard feels more stubborn. Make sure you are taking the time to prep your beard to soften up the hair. Don't just lather up an put the blade to it. Hot towel or shower first is very important in my routine. Good luck.

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Shower helps but not always. Water is warm and when dipping brush into soap bowl of Proraso, I make a few rounds and then soap my face. Maybe I should make a lot of rounds until foam starts to come out?

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Pressure,angle, prep are of course Paramount to any good shave,
How many shaves are you trying to get from the blades you are using??
The best IMO are Feathers,Kais and Balzanos,The are (in my case) only good for no more than 3 two pass shaves.
Try to push it more things are not good for me.

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I use 1 blade for 3 weeks, do 3-pass shaves 4 times per week and expect almost clean and irritation-free shave. Do I have high expectations? Maybe I should use blade for 2 weeks with weekly 5-pass shaves?

I once ordered blade sampler: Feather, Derby Extra, 7' Oclock, Bluebird, BIC Chrome Platinum

Haven't noticed difference irritation-wise but I think Derby Extras get dull fast. I currently use Personna blades.

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Originally Posted by DEart

Shower helps but not always. Water is warm and when dipping brush into soap bowl of Proraso, I make a few rounds and then soap my face. Maybe I should make a lot of rounds until foam starts to come out?



I use 1 blade for 3 weeks, do 3-pass shaves 4 times per week and expect almost clean and irritation-free shave. Do I have high expectations? Maybe I should use blade for 2 weeks with weekly 5-pass shaves?

I once ordered blade sampler: Feather, Derby Extra, 7' Oclock, Bluebird, BIC Chrome Platinum

Haven't noticed difference irritation-wise but I think Derby Extras get dull fast. I currently use Personna blades.

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Sounds like your lather might deficient. This may help in how to lather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zE...AYHiXYBRrIMYJQ .

You might be expecting too many uses from a blade. I do a 4 pass shave daily and don't use the same blade past 5 shaves. Even that is pushing it for me. A dull blade is bad news.

You need a good lather, sharp blade, the right angle and just the weight of the razor to do the job and avoid irritation.

Bob

Everyone is different but I get 2-3 shaves with a derby and up to 7 shaves with a Feather, Astra, or Gillette.

Sounds like you need more soap, more water and a lot more time building the lather.

Don't shave so your face is red, regardless of pain. Shave lightly, multiple passes, in multiple directions.