I can only get BBS with 2 days growth

[Johnny J]

And let's face it, folks: is BBS really THAT important?

Depends what for. It looks perfectly presentable for the office, but feels like 180 grit sandpaper if you rub it the wrong way. Some women might object to being kissed by that. Like making out with a goddamn shark

[FatboySlim]

I think it's a combination of rested skin and perception, and they're related for me.

Even without visible or felt irritation, the skin on my face knows that I shaved. There's a certain level of exfoliation, which is why it's good for the skin if done correctly and not overdone. And similar to exercise, I have more bounce if I'm coming off a day's rest, or if I didn't overdo it the day before. Rested skin is more forgiving, it has more of a buffer of built-up oils and dead skin cells.

There's such a contrast in that first pass between just-shaved skin and two to three days growth, it seems closer than it really is. This perception that I've just kicked off an above-average shave, along with the rested skin, nudges me to shave more aggressively than I otherwise might in the remaining passes - and get by with it too.

Myself, I try for BBS daily. I take longer than the average bear when I get there, and avoid any irritation.

[Mike7120]

I find that I get my best shaves when I allow two days of growth. Being a GA and teaching classes, I have to be cleanly shaven Mon-Fri. To reduce irritation I generally do one WTG pass Mon-Fri, allow my beard to grow on the weekends, and do a WTG, XTG, ATG shave on Monday to get a BBS. I have found that this method works best for me.

[joke1176]

Wouldn't normal shave prep (lots of heat, moisture, etc) produce an effect similar to the edema resulting from mild irritation ( as described by Joke above)?

Initially, I would say no:

If your shave prep causes skin irritation (which it shouldn't), a histamine reaction takes time to develop, and your face capillaries take time to leak fluid into the interstitial space in yer face. By the time you prep and shave, it's just getting into gear, so I think you are shaving before it fully develops.

Vasodilation from increased temperature acts a little differently than an immune system reaction from tissue damage (which DOES happen after shaving, no matter how good you are).

Temperature caused vasodilation reactions return to normal in a short amount of time, assuming the heat is removed and so does your skin homeostasis. Like within an hour or 2 at most, I think.

An immune reaction can take at least 24-48 hours to clear. Longer if you smoke.

That being said, I still think it's relatively easy to overcome with good technique, a good razor, and appropriate shave prep.

[huntmol]

I also get better shaves if I wait a day, but any more days than that and it's all the same.

[Fraserazor]

I would like to add, I can not shave ATG even with the first shave with a razor from SRD that i bought a couple of weeks ago, my skin is just too sensitive. Having said that a shave WTG and XTG gets close enough for me.

[cubed1]

my 2 cents: longer whiskers hold more water, are weaker, and therefore get sliced off more readily.

Cheers!

[paulallen]

It is a rarity that I don't shave EVERY day. I don't think beard length has anything to do with getting a BBS. A sharp razor and proper technique. Period.

If you are getting razor burn and irritation everytime you shave-you are doing something wrong. And if your face is RAW,you should allow it to heal. And then rethink your shaving technique.

I don't find that the period of time between shaves has anything to do with the quality of the shaves I get - maybe they're all just that bad, haha!

Maybe like others have said it depends on one's skin sensitivity?

my 2 cents: longer whiskers hold more water, are weaker, and therefore get sliced off more readily.

Cheers!

I think that to some degree it is each individuals differences in skin sensitivity, however i do think that sharpness of the blade and pre-shave prep have plenty to do with it. Also it makes perfect sense that longer whiskers will hold more lather/water/lubrication on the surface of the skin. I personally don't require a daily shave. I can usually get by with an every other day shave unless there is some sort of extra special army goodness going on, then i will easily shave days in a row. Usually without irritation.

All in all I believe Mileage May Vary.

[CraigJ]

Slow and gentle does the trick. A sharp blade will tend too exfoliate to the extent that it irritates if too much pressure is used. Your blade knows how to cut whiskers just fine, let it do so without making it shave. The harder you try to get a BBS shave the more irritatation you will get.

Think of your boss trying to micromanage everything you do at work or screaming to pick up the pace. You know how to do the job if they just let you be you could could be much more efficient.

Let the blade do the work for you.