Irritation when shaving 2 days in a row

Does anyone else get irritation when they shave 2 days straight? I usually wait until the second day to shave but today I just honed up a Frederick Reynolds I got a while ago and wanted to give it a test run. Normally I know better but I was being my usual impatient self, and decided to have a go. Could it be because if the extremely fine stubble? My facial hair grows kind of slow. It was long enough to give resistance when rubbing my hand on my face. I'm pretty confident with my honing and am willing to rule that out.

I have to give my face at least a day between shaves, and that's about the speed my hair grows, too. I've had a couple times that I've had to shave everyday for work, and my skin does not like it. Guess I'm just not as thick-skinned as I thought. ;)

I can only shave every other day or my skin becomes very irritated. No irritation at all when I go every other day. Just gives me a day to look forward to the next shave ;)

I'm an every other day shaver…one of the great things about shaving with a straight is that it gets close enough that I only have to shave every couple days.
My skin gets irritated if I try to shave every day except for the odd time when the stars align just right and the blade, prep, etc. all come together.

If the irritation shows up with any razor, no matter how shave ready, I would suspect that you like me got into a bad habit of using too much pressure. An easy check is to do a shave test aiming for no pressure.

Jonathan

I also have irritation, but only if I do multiply passes. A quick one pass shave cause no problem even if I shave every day.

I shave every day and the only time I experience any irritation is if I do a 3 pass shave two days in a row. My normal two pass causes no problems. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones. On the other hand my skin is almost 66 years old so maybe it is just getting worn out.

I also get those little bumps when I shave every day. usually I shave about every 3rd day. and then some red spots but I always get a very close shave. it really doesn't matter what I shave with.

I shave every work day (three passes), but will only shave at the weekend if going out somewhere that warrants a shave.

I don't have any irritation. I would say that perhaps your skin may adjust a little, if you do actually shave every day.

Odd man out here, shave every single day of the week (4 passes) with very little irritation. I do occasionally two complete shaves in a day if I have honed up a razor during the day or messed up the first shave. The second one is usually 10-12 hours after the first to allow enough stubble to grow to give the blade something to cut. Don't have a heavy beard just grows fast. Been shaving for 45 years so my skin is not that of a spring chicken either. Rarely if ever do I reach for aftershave skin balm, just alum block and AS to finish.

I guess everybody's skin is just different as to what it will tolerate and how fast their beard regenerates.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Datsots

If the irritation shows up with any razor, no matter how shave ready, I would suspect that you like me got into a bad habit of using too much pressure. An easy check is to do a shave test aiming for no pressure.

Jonathan

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Yup +1 to that or you have sensitive skin.

now your just bragging:rofl2: just joking. I'm no spring chicken either. been at it for over 50 years and have always had this problem. when in the military I shaved everyday and the beard was a lot thicker and tougher than it is now. over the years of working outside and a little experience with radiation the skin gives a lot more trouble. still the straight gives a better shave it last longer. the very best shave I get is after about 3-4 days. anyway that's what works for me.

Gentlemen,
I shave straight seven days a week without a problem despite my heavy beard and sensitive skin. Always three passes. Well honed technique and well honed razor should make the daily straight shave a pleasure. Well honed technique centers on the proper grip, angle, short strokes, and minimal razor pressure. Of course, one cannot forget proper face and beard preparation. Well honed razor is . . . well . . . sharp and silky smooth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Datsots

If the irritation shows up with any razor, no matter how shave ready, I would suspect that you like me got into a bad habit of using too much pressure. An easy check is to do a shave test aiming for no pressure.

Jonathan

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I've gotten in the habit of paying extra attention to pressure because when I first got into straight shaving I used to use a good bit of pressure and didn't pay much to angle. I guess that was part of my curve. I'll be wet shaving a year next month and am now confident with my technique.

One thing I did notice is whenever I use any cream or soap with menthol my face gets raw during and for a while after the shave. Maybe my skin is more sensitive then I thought.

Being active duty military, it is an every day deal for me.
As has been said above, pressure, well honed razor, proper technique.
There are days where I too get irritation, razor burn...just ask the alum block on my counter.
It tells me every day whether or not my techniques is up to par.

Good luck to all....

Only wet-shaving for 1.5 years now, and i just gave myself a bump, and i've never been prone to those. :gaah:

Because i normally shave every other day or less, BUT THAT a new blade, or hone, or strop, gets me all fired up and I've been going at it every day now for 3 weeks.

So today i take off. It's all a mix of sharpness, technique, beard prep, and sensitivities. I keep learning.

I'll use Aquaphor if my face is irritated. It's a little greasy but it will get your face back to normal pretty quick.

It could be your aftershave that irritates your skin as well. Sensitive skin plus alcohol in the aftershave is a great recipe for irritated skin, no matter how often you shave. I personally don't like or use splashes and use balm.

I shave every day and have had to for the past 12 years while i was in the military. I look forward to shaving now ever since i started wet shaving with a proper razor as my skin is now smoother and I no longer have any skin irritation.

I am in the Military so I shave every day. I only do 2 passes for a normal day. No issues here.

meleii, you've pretty much hit it on the head with stating anything with menthol seems to cause irritation. Although menthol, eucalyptus and Shea Butter are common ingredients in many soaps/creams they actually cause reactions for many faces. Menthol, eucalyptus and alcohol and to some extent Shea Butter and lanolin are among the most common irritants for faces. I learned the hard way plus developing Rosacea, which only widens the sensitive reaction to ingredients. If you are very concerned see a dermatologist. There is one product in a can that a SRP dermatologist has recommended, and I am using it as an additive in my uber lather, that is Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Cream. Works wonders no irritation from it al all.

+1 to being mindful of pressure/technique, as well as a reduction in passes. The unscented cream/soap is also a good suggestion. Perhaps even consider lavender as it can aso be soothing to the skin.

If you shave against the grain, try shaving only with the grain. Perhaps consider reexamining your technique to improve your with the grain shave, it can be easy to sometimes slip into bad habits. For day to day, a one pass shave done well should suffice.

Great suggestions from everyone. One thing I didn't see mentioned was cold water shaving. I've been cold water shaving for a number of years and for a lot of us cold water shaving greatly reduces irritation. I usually shave every other day but during those times when I need to shave consecutively I usually experience no irritation cold water shaving.

I believe I may be getting to the bottom of my irritation problem. The main times I've been shaving more than every other day is when I've been working in a cement mill because I try to wear a respirator as much as possible. The cement dust gets in my pores and, well if any of you have worked around tons of raw cement you know it gets in every pore in your body and doesn't wash out. That is the only thing that hasn't changed each time I get irritation. Now that maintenance is over for a few weeks and I can shave everyday. Although I'm still nursing some chem burns on my arm and back. Man I hate that place... The vinegar baths suck everyday.

Glad you found the source of your skin irritation and are getting it under control. Cement dust is nasty stuff and if you inhale enough of it over time there is a possibility of getting silicosis http://www.constructionsafety.ca/too...nts/Cement.pdf .

Bob