Thread: straight razor shaving sensitive skin

hey ya'll i have a question and im sure im not the only one who has this problem. i have very very sensitive skin, like if i look at my razor wrong i get a rash.

what are some of your methods of getting around the problem? and which soaps and creams do you use that seem to help avoid angering the skin gods?

I try to keep it relatively simple. Noxema before my shave, I let it soak in while I am stropping. I watch which soap I use. There is no magic soap for all sensitive skin. You will have to try a few, and it is probably best to try the ones without a scent. Quite a few of the online shops have sample sizes, also most shave sticks are small and cheep. I then lather and shave. If you are just starting you are probably going to need to do a beard map, and remember to keep the angle low and our skin tight. I find for me less is more. You will find that there is less sensitivity issues once you et on top of your technique. Many find cold water to be the keystone. I find my water temperature to have little to do with shave comfort, but a cold water shave on a hot day is pretty nice.

Use a very light touch with your razor, & as RezDog mentioned, use unscented soap or cream. You'll find out quick which one's irritate you the most with a little experimentation. Everybody's skin reacts differently.

I was the same way. Razor burn after a shave with a disposable, electric, straight or DE.

With some straight shaving technique, and my secret weapons, though, I conquered it.

1) Really get your technique down. NO PRESSURE. Low angle. And proper stretching. These will go a long way!
2) I tend to use Proraso White preshave.
3) And the one two post shave punch: Slap on some Speick, strop your razor (to give it time to do it's thing), and then apply Razorock (original scent) After Shave Wax gently to the shaved areas.

Your face may still be a little red and sensitive after the shave, but not nearly as bad, and you will quickly go to calm, and no red.

At least that is how it worked out for me.

I am sold on AS wax. I think you should give it a shot!

I can't even shave with a cartridge. I shave only with the grain in sensitive areas, though I can do XTG in some areas. Super light touch, go for smooth over sharp on the edge.

If you can't make it work with a straight, try a DE. I can shave with my SS adjustable on mild and a Derby blade and never have a problem.

Pressure, angle, cold water.

No pressure, pressure bad.

Angle, 1 spine width sometimes 1.5.

Cold water. This was a life changer for me. Totally counter intuitive as well, at least for me.
I splash my face with tap water on cold, if it's cold out I go with Luke warm. Lather, strop, rinse face again with cold water. Get a nice creamy lather. I'm a face latherer. Splash the razor with a little water then go to town.

If I even shave after a hot shower, still shaving with cold water mind you, then shave, I get irritation.

It's worth a shot and took a couple go a rounds to find the right combo. YMMV. Good luck.

For me its a combination of pre-shave prep, technique and post shave care and TBH I need to do all three or I'm in for trouble as I have quite sensitive skin as well!

Pre-shave I liberally wet my face, apply lather and let it sit while I strop. Then I wash it all off with piping hot water and reapply more lather before I begin the shave.

During the shave watch your angles! Too steep and you'll either irritate the skin or slash yourself, so remember - The spine shoud be no more than 1-1.5 spine widths away from the skin and always go with a light touch and minimal pressure.

Also, dont try to remove every hair with one swipe. Think gradual beard reduction and take as many passes and angles as it takes to get the job done without hurting yourself. TBH you should be able to apply lather and wipe it off with the blade all day long and have no irritation if you touch is light enough! Thats what you want to go for.

Post shave I wash all remaining lather off with hot water and give my face a good rinse. Then I apply the coldest water I can from the cold tap to close all the pores up and again give a good rinse. Then PAT your face dry (dont rub with the towel) gently and apply a post shave balm which has minimal alcohol content. I think pretty much all of them have some alcohol of some kind, but you basically dont want to be slapping a load of 40% proof Bay Rum right over the delicate skin you just ran a blade over hehe!

I know some people like that and if it works for you cool, but if you have sensitive skin you shoudl avoid it!

I've found the best PSB is Trumpers skin food (at least for me anyway), and their sandalwood skin food is simply superb. I cant recommend it enough!

Then with cologne just apply to the sides of the neck, perhaps a dab just below your adams apple and to the wrists - Basically dont put it anywhere the razor has just been!

For me this combination works really well to keep irritation to a minimum and results in a really great shave.

Hope thats of some help!

Stubear, have you tried the option of an all cold/lukewarm water shave start to finish as a possible solution to sensitive skin? I have sensitive skin plus a light case of Rosacea. All cold/lukewarm solved a heck of a lot of problems for.

Just thought I'd ask.

As ever, be sure your blade is pro-honed and hasn't been damaged by inexpert stropping or cleaning. My early struggles with irritation were a combination of too much pressure and bunged-up edges.

Good thread and info. I have pretty sensitive skin and there are some good tips in here that will help me out. Thanks!