Red Dots! We Don't Need No Stinking Red Dots!

Every once in a while after an otherwise great shave I will see little well defined red dots on my face ---the red is a dark red, near blood color. There's usually only a handful of them and are easily distinguished from other blemishes like pimples, razor burn, rashes and the like --they aren't raised and are the size of skin pores. I didn't know what caused them (and maybe still don't) but the other day after pulling some arm hairs out by the root (don't ask why), I realized these same little dots appeared. So maybe, just maybe I'm doing the same thing when shaving --pulling hairs instead of cleanly cutting them. What causes this? Maybe my razor isn't quite shave-ready or maybe my shaving angle is too low? Anyway if I'm wrong then tell me or if it's common knowledge then forgive me. Thanks,

Justin

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Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Every once in a while after an otherwise great shave I will see little well defined red dots on my face ---the red is a dark red, near blood color. There's usually only a handful of them and are easily distinguished from other blemishes like pimples, razor burn, rashes and the like --they aren't raised and are the size of skin pores. I didn't know what caused them (and maybe still don't) but the other day after pulling some arm hairs out by the root (don't ask why), I realized these same little dots appeared. So maybe, just maybe I'm doing the same thing when shaving --pulling hairs instead of cleanly cutting them. What causes this? Maybe my razor isn't quite shave-ready or maybe my shaving angle is too low? Anyway if I'm wrong then tell me or if it's common knowledge then forgive me. Thanks,

Justin

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I used to have this with my shavette if
a) I held the blade not flat enough
b) I had just replaced the blade with a new (and thus sharper) blade.

Sounds like my good old friends ( :mad: ) the ingrown hairs.

You could be using a dull razor or not stretching the skin enough. I have very curly hair and my beard hairs are the same. I am unable to shave everyday as a result and that's one reason why I ditched the stupid cartridge razors (Mach3's and so on).

If the above doesn't solve the problem, you can easily solve this by certain gels and/or creams which I can recommend. Try the above first and let me know if it helps at all. If these are indeed ingrown hairs, you'll be pleased to know that they sound like small ones. At some point, I was getting ingrown hair bumps about 2" in diameter.

Rum, I was thinking they could be ingrown hairs but I don't think they are. I beleive ingrown hairs have a raised/bump appearance with the look of an infected cener. These red dots I'm talking about are flat -anyway I'm no dermatotlogist so what do I know --they are probably a common thing. Thanks,

Justin

Honedright, there usually aren't enough of them to cause any pain and they might last a few hours. They look to me like the skin "opening" is inflamed or a little bloody from the hairs being ripped out of it. Thanks,

Justin

I'll bet these are 'weepers'. The cut can be so close that it disrupts some of the blood vesels at the surface of your skin and blood begins to cry out. I believe this can happen because;

1) The edge is extremely sharp, maybe try for something alittle less deadly keen.
2) You're using a bit too much pressure, so don't.
3) Your post shave conditioning needs work. I always douse my face well with cold water after the shave to close teh pores and retract the blood from hte surface of the skin, then I pat dry and go for the after shave which I massage in a little bit.

X

xman, could be, could be. I appreciate the advise,

Justin

Ingrown hairs affect each person differently. For me they can be huge at times; other times they are small and 'clear' enough to be seen with the naked eye, meaning I can pick them out with tweezers. It's my most hated shave-related problem, if not more.

On the other hand, I like xman's explanation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Rum, I was thinking they could be ingrown hairs but I don't think they are. I beleive ingrown hairs have a raised/bump appearance with the look of an infected cener. These red dots I'm talking about are flat -anyway I'm no dermatotlogist so what do I know --they are probably a common thing. Thanks,

Justin

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Jaegerhund,

Have you tried an Alum block on these areas?

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Originally Posted by mercV12

Jaegerhund,

Have you tried an Alum block on these areas?

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I don't experience these dots really anymore but why the alum block?


Justin