Thread: Stretching the skin causes ingrown hairs?

I don't agree with him at all. If you don't stretch the skin the hair will be at an angle. The whole idea of streching is to change the angle that the razor clips the hair. I don't see where it would make any difference with a DE or any kind of razor. Maybe he has some wierd kind of hair growth or something.

I suspect that the safety bar may do some of the work of stretching, the way I've heard people say that a heavy wedge razor does. In that case, not stretching may be a way for overzealous DE shavers to avoid burn, as it helps prevent them from applying too much pressure. That doesn't address ingrowns, though.

I've always stretched the skin and never had a problem with ingrown hairs with a DE. I always found there was much less tendency to get burn/nicks if the skin was taut as well.

Ant

That is weird. The conventional wisdom on Badger & Blade is that DE users should always stretch the skin. I haven't heard of it causing any problems.

Josh

Proper skin stretching causes closer shaves, which *can* cause ingrowns if you're prone to this.

My face is different from yours and my whiskers are too. What works for me might not work for you.

X

Very interesting thread. The thought occurred to me recently - I stretch the skin when using a straight (of course), but also on the occasional DE shave. I must say, that I have noticed when doing a DE shave like this, that I do get a few monster-sized ingrowns. Strangely enough, this happens only a few times (i.e. a lot less) if I'm doing the same with a straight.

Strange thing is, I can't explain this either so I would also appreciate your opinions!

As Xman and a few others have already mentioned; it depends on a few factors that are unique to each user. This is what I have found to be absolutely true for me. I really like a super close baby-butt smooth shave. I just love the feel of it. Stretching the skin helps me get that kind of a shave. Now with that being said I always get a few ingrown hairs along the bottom of my neck. The hair on my neck grows at a funny sideways/flat pattern. It is not a big deal as it is always in the same area. If I do not shave super close I do not get them at all EVER. It is a personal choice. I hate leaving the slightest feeling of stubble on my little problem areas more than the few ingrown hairs. It just bugs the hell out of me to be super smooth everywhere except for a small patch on my problem area. Anyway, the general factors for ingrown hairs in my opinion are: how close you shave, how prone you are to ingrown hairs depending on your beard growth. Just for a little extra bit of advice. I have found it much easier, and more comfortable to wait at least two days after a good shave before hunting for ingrown hairs. This way they poke through the skin a little more, and are easier to get. The less digging you have to do the better.