DE and ingrown hairs

Right, time to put on the thinking caps and offer up some possible solutions. I shave mostly with a cut-throat (CT) razor these days, but did add a DE razor into the rotation shortly (About 3 months) after stepping into the world of straights. I was at a point with the CT's where I wasn't getting quite as satisfactory a shave as I wanted, but was getting better every day. The DE was giving me a slightly better shave. All that has been turned around for sometime now and I get the best shave from the CT.
The problem I noticed, and one that took a while to figure out the cause of, is that I was getting a few ingrown whiskers here and there, but more than usual. Not as bad as I had ever gotten with the trusty M3's, but still...The CT and DE's were supposed to be the end of ingrowns.
It seems to me that I have now narrowed it down to the DE as the cause. If it is going to be noticed, it will be as soon as a day after a DE shave. My usual methods are to shave after a hot shower, building a lather on the face before commencing to shave first with a N/S pass, then with a S/N pass ignoring the various direction of hair growth. The ingrowns occur randomly so it seems direction of growth may be irrelevent.
Might this be a pressure issue? Blade issue? Or any number or combination of things?
It isn't a big enough problem to stop me using the DE, but it is bloody annoying, especially as the DE comes in handy when I don't allow quite enough time for a CT shave. And I like having it in the regular rotation.

Thanks for any help and advice Gents,


Mick

Hello, Mick:

Often going against the grain will result in promoting ingrown hairs. Also, your razor might be a touch dull, which would result in pulling than cutting. When the whisker is pulled by the razor, possibly, from the root, it has to grow again. Sometimes it grows in swirls under the skin. That results in ingrown hair. Going against the grain also will result in a measure of tugging. If possible, avoid going against the grain.

Of course, there are other reasons. Keeping the pressure light, for instance, is beneficial all around. So is limiting shaving strokes over the same spot. As always, as you know, a good preparation works wonders for a healthy and comfortable shave.

Regards,

Obie

You might want to consider experimenting with different blades and also watch your angle. Angle is usually not a consideration to many DE users but it can be critical.

Any time I have used a new razor I would get in grown hairs mostly neck area, try alum block, it was the end of in grown hairs for me. Heres a link a member passed on to me Barber's Alum 'Þap' (70g - 2.5oz) (Barber's Alum 'Sap' (70g - 2.5oz)): Tulumba.com

I'd also make sure that the new blades you are using are disinfected via rubbing alcohol before use.

I also noticed that my ingrown hairs were not as bad with a straight razor, but seemed worse with a DE. I'm still learning so it's probably angle and blades, but I thought it was just me.

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Originally Posted by salazch

I also noticed that my ingrown hairs were not as bad with a straight razor, but seemed worse with a DE. I'm still learning so it's probably angle and blades, but I thought it was just me.

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Yup - angle, blade and pressure. Something else to consider: the number of shaves per blade. I'm more likely to get weepers or irritation from a blade that is past its best-before date. That is why, like Obie, my general rule is 3 shaves per blade.

I usually use a DE blade for 5-7 days before replacing it with a new blade.

I also use that occasion to clean my DE razor using shampoo and a toothbrush, then drying it with a paper towel.

What kind of DE are you using?

I've found, an open comb is the easiest to learn on and allowed me to get the proper angle. If it leaves tracks from the teeth, you have the wrong angle. You'll see a nice clean path when the angle is right.

My issues are now fairly minimal. Due entirely to all the advice I've recieved, but to answer your question I use a Merkur HD.


Mick

Glad you got it straightened out. :rock:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DrLongandStrong

I'd also make sure that the new blades you are using are disinfected via rubbing alcohol before use.

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Is it a good idea to take the blade out of the razor and put it in alcohol, or is it ok to just dip the head of the razor (with blade in it) in alcohol for a little bit?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DrLongandStrong

I'd also make sure that the new blades you are using are disinfected via rubbing alcohol before use.

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Interesting, I've never heard of anyone going quite that far. Out of curiosity why would you do that? As the blades are already sterile is there any other benefit to soaking your blades?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by salazch

Is it a good idea to take the blade out of the razor and put it in alcohol, or is it ok to just dip the head of the razor (with blade in it) in alcohol for a little bit?

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As my above post eludes, I'm not sure that you have to. But if you feel compelled I'm sure you could do either, as long as you let the alcohol evaporate before putting the blade to your face.