Thread: Preventing Razor Burn

I've been shaving with a Muhle R89, and at first I had to get used to the angle and pressure. It took me a few tries to begin getting a comfortable shave. As I'm traveling, I'm now using a Parker Travel DE, and the first time I used it I definitely had the wrong angle and pressure. Different razor, different technique. I noticed that the angle I was using was wrong as this razor is more aggressive. Therefore needed to adjust it. Razor burn is an inevitable part of the learning process. Light touch and small strokes held a lot.

Light pressure is key and a good lather to prevent irritation. A few others have mentioned to Map out hair growth. Makes a big difference
Sully

Originally Posted by mathnerdm

So I just got into SR shaving and have only shaved twice. Both times though I've had some moderate razor burn on my neck afterwards, everywhere else was fine. Now my question was, my neck hair is very random and I've always just shaved with disposable razors from the bottom to top (lower neck to chin) and now when I switched I heard most people just go down the neck, so that's what I tried. Could the razor burn be attributed to the fact that I switched which direction I shave the neck, or is it solely because of blade angle, pressure, etc... Thanks!

Yes. All of the above. The neck flumes out at the bottom so when you come to your lower neck from the top you have to adjust the angle and follow the neck out thereby adjusting the pressure. If you just continue down at same angle and pressure you will be at a high angle and increasingly high pressure. This got me for a long time. I noticed a consistent pattern of irritation on my lower neck and figured out that I have to adjust to all the contours. Stretching and trying to get the skin as flat as possible really helps with all this too. A cartridge razor has everything built in to prevent this which is why you are just now noticing.

By shaving from the bottom up you are doing just the opposite on the neck and it is much easier but due to the direction of your hair growth you may HAVE to go north to south or top to bottom.

Hope this helps

I've been straight shaving for a couple months now and while I haven't gotten to BBS on my neck but every shave is better and has less irritation. Figure what works for you, trial and error takes a while but you'll be happier in the long run!

I didn't see anything mentioned about the number of passes you were making. If its just one and you have this burn issue, no doubt pressure and angle are your biggest problems. But I also find that there is only so much your face can handle when it comes to shaving. Too many passes will leave you smarting as well. So your razor needs to be plenty sharp such that you're able to make each pass productive. Otherwise you're scraping away trying to get that last bit of stubble and making your skin raw in the process. Another option to pursue is that of a different cream/soap. Penhaligon's makes what I consider the slickest of creams available. BUT, its not cheap. Another slick one is Musgo Real. So be sure your razor is up to the shave, know what is against the grain and what is with the grain, watch your pressure and angle, and try a slick cream that might reduce the friction of the blade. Somewhere in there you should find a solution. Good luck.

I, too ,am a beginner, with just 3 or 4 shaves under my belt. When I got into this I expected razor burn, rash, etc. I got it, too. Along with a few nicks and cuts as well.
I think of it as part of the process.
Let me put it another way. I'm also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Earning that belt took many years of training, sparring, etc. I have broken several bones in the process. My own, and sadly, others'. Heck my ribs alone have been broken 8 times. It's unavoidable. Your opponent moves this way when you thought he was going to go that way, and "pop", there you go. Part of the process, and no way to really avoid it. As you grow, your skills and control improve, and accidents become rarer because of it.
It's the same with SR shaving. Your face and neck are highly sensitive areas, and they are used to your old routine. So are you. Now you have to relearn everything, even how to hold the razor you're using. I'm learning that you also have to re learn your face as well.
IOW, I think it's going to take time to learn how to do this right. Until then, "injuries" will occur. Part of the process. Use the preshave/post shave treatments, take the best care of your skin that you can, and good luck.

Originally Posted by SRNewb

I, too ,am a beginner, with just 3 or 4 shaves under my belt. When I got into this I expected razor burn, rash, etc. I got it, too. Along with a few nicks and cuts as well.
I think of it as part of the process.
Let me put it another way. I'm also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Earning that belt took many years of training, sparring, etc. I have broken several bones in the process. My own, and sadly, others'. Heck my ribs alone have been broken 8 times. It's unavoidable. Your opponent moves this way when you thought he was going to go that way, and "pop", there you go. Part of the process, and no way to really avoid it. As you grow, your skills and control improve, and accidents become rarer because of it.
It's the same with SR shaving. Your face and neck are highly sensitive areas, and they are used to your old routine. So are you. Now you have to relearn everything, even how to hold the razor you're using. I'm learning that you also have to re learn your face as well.
IOW, I think it's going to take time to learn how to do this right. Until then, "injuries" will occur. Part of the process. Use the preshave/post shave treatments, take the best care of your skin that you can, and good luck.

Well said! Now I feel much better about the scars that I have on my face. Just proof that I put in my time learning.

Not sure where I picked this up at but here are the rules I go by
1. It's called wet shaving for a reason keep your face wet & lathered
2. No pressure
3. watch your angle

I think everybody has cover it but......Prep, sharp blade, pre shave oil maybe helpful (Noxzema works too), I would avoid alcohol After shaves until you tame the razor burn we want you to have a pleasant experience...