Thread: Skin irritation and afternmath

I agree with the cold water prep and shave. Keep blade flat as possible and still cuts whisker. No significant pressure is to be used just blade contact. Choose your soap wisely good tip. I feel for you but I am the opposite of you I have a face that usually doesn't react to any thing save a few spots around the corners of my mouth. Also skin gets used to the straight razor and will adapt to it to a certain degree so things may just get better. Maybe try alum afterwards I find that stuff soothing. I think you'll get there after you find what doesn't bother your skin. One thing I'd like to add is make sure that your razor has got an good edge. Many edges cut but may be either unrefined or toothy. Those edges can be like shaving with a hacksaw blade. Sometimes when a blade is finished with too much chromium oxide that can give a very bitey prickly edge some folks react to. Maybe try to get a natural stone edge done for you right and maybe this would help., Coticules or escher edges are very skin friendly. I'm just chucking ideas at you. You may already be doing this .

IF your edge is good, don't do an ATG pass. Those can irritate your skin a lot.
As a beginner, you may not get a BBS shave for some time.
Also, strop, strop, strop and strop some more
I do 40 on the linen and 100+ on the leather before each shave. But your technique has to be good.
Stropping smooths out the edge of the razor and hence, a more comfortable shave

Good luck you've been given a lot of great info to work with here