Thread: Skin problem after shaved with Safety razor

hi everyone,

few days ago (one more time), i shaved with my safety razor with using derby blades. well no problem, not any particulary cut in face. but a day later, and as always my skin gets acnes, buttons. as i remember this is not the first time. earlier i was using a shavette or even with safety razor, i'm always having these painfull buttons for few days. the thing is i don"t have this problem if i use a straight razor.

i don't know why i'm having this or if this arrives to you too? as always, after shaved, i take a shower, use an after shave (with alcohol). i started to think this kind of shaving is not for me.

I had the same acnes & buttons problems as you. I have been using safety razors for about 2 years and I had these problems until 2 months ago. Now I'm using a Gillette SS blue tip and derby blades and my skin has clamed down alot, I have tried a lot of razors and even the Gillette SS black handle with feather blades gave me skin problems.

I do however take a shower before I shave and I try to stay away from aftershave with alcohol.

Have you noted any nickel sensitivity before?

Originally Posted by Matheus

Have you noted any nickel sensitivity before?

no. i don't think.

May be down to the choice of blades. I know they get a lot of praise, but personally I can't stand Derbys - I just don't get on with them even slightly. That'd be the first thing I'd change, apart from maybe the blade angle, to see if there's any improvement. There's a lot of variance between blades and it takes time to find the right one for you, but at least these blades don't cost the earth.
Next thing I'd look at is your prep and aftercare - making sure your face is clean, your lather is good and maybe consider using a pre-shave oil if you don't already, then afterwards I found an alum block really helped for me and a good moisturiser.

Sorry if this all sounds condescending in any way, but it's always useful to re-visit the basics if a problem arises.

I cannot chime in on the safety razor aspect, but I have sensitive skin. Noxema as a pre shave does wonders for the after effects of my shave. I also try not to shave with too many passes. It is always a challenge to get all the little things to line up for the perfect shave, which I consider the after rash to be part of.

My thinking, here, is too much pressure which is resulting in cutting the hairs just below the skin surface, rather than just above.

I'd second the pressure. But, I tried derby blades and they didn't work for me. My favorite blade is the feather blades, being a sharper blade IIRC, I lessen up on the pressure and still get close in less passes. Any pressure at all causes disaster on my face.

Originally Posted by SpockIOM

May be down to the choice of blades. I know they get a lot of praise, but personally I can't stand Derbys - I just don't get on with them even slightly. That'd be the first thing I'd change, apart from maybe the blade angle, to see if there's any improvement. There's a lot of variance between blades and it takes time to find the right one for you, but at least these blades don't cost the earth.
Next thing I'd look at is your prep and aftercare - making sure your face is clean, your lather is good and maybe consider using a pre-shave oil if you don't already, then afterwards I found an alum block really helped for me and a good moisturiser.

Sorry if this all sounds condescending in any way, but it's always useful to re-visit the basics if a problem arises.

actually i've never used shave oil, i don't know how to use? what difference with shaving soap? where to find?

Originally Posted by RezDog

I cannot chime in on the safety razor aspect, but I have sensitive skin. Noxema as a pre shave does wonders for the after effects of my shave. I also try not to shave with too many passes. It is always a challenge to get all the little things to line up for the perfect shave, which I consider the after rash to be part of.

Originally Posted by Optometrist

My thinking, here, is too much pressure which is resulting in cutting the hairs just below the skin surface, rather than just above.

i'm not sure but i don't think that my skin is so sensitive. actually i don't have any of these problems if i shave with my straight razors (i always do 2 passes; one is down to face, and second is up) . before shaving, i wash my face with hot water then i put the soap and make it grow with my badger. i will give a try to feathers blades. actually, i use safety razor if only i'm too tired or i'm in rush to move out.

Don't like the Derby blade either. Astra SP or Polsilver here. You could try running the edge through the corner of a wine cork. Haven't tried it but supposedly gives a smoother shave when the blade is new.
Not often I use a DE either, but hope this helps.