Thread: Anyone else see any shaving contradictions?

The ingrown hair thing has made me do some research here and other places.

So far no one seems to agree:

Some say never go against the grain. Yet the Christopher Moss online guide shows him going ATG!

Some say use an electric because they don't shave as close. Some say use only one blade. Some say it doesn't matter.


I could go on and on, but there's a lot of conflicting ideas out there!

the only times i've dealt with the ingrown hair issue is when using "lift and cut" shaving systems, never had the problem with a good old fashioned blade

The one thing you can count on is the amount of just bad info relating to straights and shaving in general. If you want the the real deal this is the place for it. Reserve the other places for the bum dope.

I think most people use against the grain shaving to some degree with no ill effects (I know I do on my neck and chin). As far a electrics go there is definitely a place for them its called the trash.

1. Electric shaving will get rid of ingrowns but takes 2-3 weeks to adapt to (during which the shave is pretty awful), requires exfoliation, and will never get as close as a blade as all systems require pulling the hair through a mesh first

2. Unless you have skin made of stone, do not go against the grain, go across the grain. If you want a closer shave go across the grain in one direction then go in the other direction on a second/third pass. Usually the first pass should be WITH the grain.



Contradictions I've heard:

1. Electrics: don't push hard/do push a bit - Braun tell you to push a bit if it is not shaving close enough, whereas every other manufacturer and resource tell you not to. IME it's best not to and you can get a perfectly acceptable electric shave without using pressure

2. Both: Shave oils don't work - rubbish if I've ever heard it. A good shave oil will offer slightly better protection for the skin.

3. Blade: You need/don't need to press hard with a Mach 3 razor.

4. Maintaining a BBS shave with either method of shaving is possible day in and day out. (this one is just simply rubbish)

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think most people use against the grain shaving to some degree with no ill effects (I know I do on my neck and chin). As far a electrics go there is definitely a place for them its called the trash.

So Funny! I chucked my electrics shortly after I gave up because of ingrown hairs.

I agree about your statement that SRP is the place for the most accurate information.

I suppose there's such a thing as too much information though.

I'm going back at it today after a few days off and I'm not going to inflate my cheeks!

Thanks guys,

Randy

Originally Posted by keljian

...
1. Electrics: don't push hard/do push a bit - Braun tell you to push a bit if it is not shaving close enough, whereas every other manufacturer and resource tell you not to. IME it's best not to and you can get a perfectly acceptable electric shave without using pressure...

well an electric will trim your beard but i would not call that a shave... Take Bigspender's advice and chuck them all in the trash.

Originally Posted by mischievous

So far no one seems to agree

No kidding! A lot of this is like asking an old man what works better, all-bran or grapenuts. Ask ten different fellers and there's ten different answers, and each will swear up and down so help them god their way is absolutely correct.

And seven of the ten answers will be some strange snake-oil, not all-bran or grapenuts.

So basically if it's working for you, keep it up and swear by it. If it's not (or if you're feeling adventurous) then experiment with some of the tried and true techniques reported right here on SRP by the masters.

oh and do not listen to me; i'm a snakeoil salesman, not one of the masters I referenced.

My saga of shaving went something like this:

Excel -> Sensor Excel -> Mach 3 -> hello ingrown hairs. I tried using an electric at this point because I read they were less likely to cause razor bumps. Instead I'd make my neck raw trying to get a somewhat respectable shave.

Out went the electric, and I slowly downgraded back to the Excel, but was still suffering from ingrown hairs and razor bumps. I stumbled across classicshaving while thinking that one blade is best. I've been using my DE open comb ever since and hardly ever get bumps now.

Now it's onto researching a straight and seeing where that gets me

An alum block will help prevent the ingrowns.

Dr. Moss is correct when he suggests not shaving ATG. However, not everyone suffers from ingrown hairs and so many of us can go ATG and thus his display of how to go ATG.

I have to be careful (to a point) or I do get one or two... it really depends on your skin/beard condition. If you are plagued by this malady, avoid going ATG and do avoid those multi blade razors that emphasizes the problem. A single blade, properly used will pretty much eliminate the problem of ingrown hairs.

Regards

Christian