Thread: PFB (razor bumps)

I realize that razor bumps and irritation can and many times are the result of reactions to shaving products, razors that aren't sharp enough, and bad technique but some people are much more susceptible than others. I pretty much gave up on BBS because when I get it, I'm also getting bumps the next day. I got this with the mach 3 as well (this was long ago!) but most dermatologist warn against multiple bladed razors and excessively close shaving if you have this problem. I think I've found a barber in the area who does straight razor shaves so I'm going to try to check that out this week. I've included 2 links that should be informative for those with this problem.

http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologi...liculitis.html

http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/...ons/100022.htm

Thanks for the links. For me, it was an ongoing problem from the time I started shaving until I found Gem single edge safeties and then straight razors. I always had some little sore nasty spot somewhere on my neck. Now, I do not have a problem - period. It makes this little hobby all that much more pleasurable!

I believe (and so do some other more experienced SRP members) that the stiffer blades of single edge safeties and Wedge-type straights (wedge, 1/4, and 1/2 hollows) also help in shaving my tough wirey beard without irritation. The thin DE and full hollows are not as comfortable for me and can cause irritation. This concept may help you, too.

Well, there's also "wedge burn" so I believe you can get irritation with any razor, really

I used to get some bumps occasionally with the multi-blades. Not too bad but I wasn't happy with this at all. Don't remember about DE, but the straights have been great. The mild exfoliation and specific cutting action (lack of ingrown hairs) are probably the main reasons

Cheers
Ivo

I have a bit of razor bumps from some hairs I think if I let my stuble stay for a while. I think i should work on this problem though so It will not be an annoyance for a long time.

yeah, there are so many factors and its hard to see what your doing wrong when you don't have somebody with experience there with you. That was why I was going to try to go to get a shave by a barber and see what kind of pointers they can give me. If I can get BBS from the barber and I don't have bumps the next day than I'll know it's my technique. Hopefully we'll find out shortly.

I have noticed a significant reduction in my razor bumps and ingrown hairs since I started using a De and a straight razor. They used to be really, really bad. I would frequently have to dig hairs out of my neck that were 1-2" long . The area gets inflamed and turns red and sometimes a pustule forms. I still get this from time to time and do not think that anything will alleviate it as I have very curly hair. If you look at my neck close up under bright light you can see small gray lines under the skin, these are all ingrown hairs trapped beneath the skin. I'm thankful that at least the amount of ingrowns has reduced. I can shave with a level of comfort now and it is no longer painful for me. I shave every 2-3 days to allow some time for my skin to heal and I use Clubman bump repair gel on my beard daily . It really seems to help.

just got back from the barber. I don't see any bumps but they usually show up when the hair comes back so I'll probably leave it alone for a day and see what happens. They recommended Bump Patrol after each shave if I've got a razor bump problem. I haven't tried it yet so I'm not going to endorse this product until I try it out. One of the barber's said it works and says he uses it so lets hope it works out.

by the way, The shave I got wasn't any closer than the shaves I give myself. If this bumppatrol works I'm going to have to try going across the grain on the second pass again. I was always able to get a close shave with the second pass but those damn bumps!

It looks like I didn't even have to wait a day. I had a bad feeling from the start. Not that this wasn't a good idea in theory but this barbers shave was absolutely PAINFULL! It wasn't even that close and my neck already looks like a picture you would see in a dermatologist textbook. I think this barber must have been a little new at this straight razor shaving thing and it was a woman barber (maybe she just didn't realize that she is tearing my face apart because she doesn't have to shave)

Anyway, this is a good idea gone horribly wrong. I'm going to wait for my frickin face and neck to heal and we will try this bumppatrol product.

well, it turns out this bumppatrol stuff has Isopropyl alcohol as the main ingrediant and that isn't something I want to be applying to my face on a regular basis. I think the best cure is light pressure and if you have pfb problems don't shave too closely

ouch that's not good. I feel for you - used to get some bumps from Crapp III, and even DE shaves weren't 100% safe. One more reason I love the straights

You are pretty brave. I'd be very very hesitant to just go to a straight-shaving barber, and if it's a she... I don't think so. Cut my hair - sure. Give me a straight shave - no thanks.

Good luck figuring it out
Ivo