Thread: Problem Spot

I seem to have one "Problem Spot" on the right side of my face, above the jawline, almost center, but closer to the ear. It seems to be subject to irritation when I shave. This doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I'm in troulbe for the next couple of days. The spot itself, when irritated swells a bit, causing me to draw blood on subsequent shaves or just keep irritating it. Normally, I do 3 passes. I shave right handed, so the left side of my face is a breeze. Shaving the right side is more difficult for me. I've pondered changing hands, I'm guessing this would take some practice since I'm right hand dominant. I'm pretty sure that it's my angle. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and what they've done. Has anybody, who normally uses one hand, mastered the art of switching hands while shaving? , Thanks.....Rich

I am a right handed shaver and I've fooled with using the left but I am doing well enough with the right that this old dog decided not to try to learn that new trick. I've got a couple of problem spots on my neck. I have had to experiment with different blade angle, direction of stretching and angle of attack. I also have sensitive skin to the point where I only do two passes. Keep looking for the best way to approach the area and you will find it. BTW, I know many guys here who learned to shave with either hand easily so that is another option.

Thanks Jimmy, BTW, I do use Hot water rinse on my blade as I shave, I read your other post....Rich

Thanks zib. I was a bit discouraged when the cold HHT and the hot HHT were the same. I thought the hot would be even better. So I don't know if it is all in my head but I believe I get a better shave rinsing the blade with hot water so that is all that matters I guess.

Learning to shave with both hands really helped me eliminate the problems that I had getting proper access and a good angle on certain spots on my face. It's really not that hard, you'll probably pick it up quickly. Just pretend your left hand is a new shaver (because it is) and stick with the side of your face until you get more comfortable with the weak side hand.

Switching hands can be done with practice. I'm right-handed but use both when using a straight. I would suggest limiting your shave to two passes in the trouble area. I have an area on the left side of my chin that can become easily irritated with too many passes over it. It is easy to cause irritation there as it is the area where my beard seems to be the toughest. I'm limiting my shaving there to two passes but focuing on improving the shave in each pass, i.e., by better skin stretching with better approach angles and directions.

One other thing I don't do is go "on a mission" to get BBS no matter what in a problem area. If I still feel a little residual stubble I figure maybe I'll do better on it tomorrow. It is easy to get carried away to get that last little bit when it is really 'good enough'.

I believe I will take some baby steps this weekend, when I more time and practice getting my left hand (non shaving hand) to cooperater and not cut the hell out of myself. I think it would be beneficial to say the least to be amidexturous, (did I spell that right) Damm, I hate not having spell check...DOH!

It is the second and third passes, the ATG and XTG that get me.

Originally Posted by zib

I believe I will take some baby steps this weekend, when I more time and practice getting my left hand (non shaving hand) to cooperater and not cut the hell out of myself. I think it would be beneficial to say the least to be amidexturous, (did I spell that right) Damm, I hate not having spell check...DOH!

It is the second and third passes, the ATG and XTG that get me.

ambidextrous

I also think you should cut down on our passes in that area. Remove the XTG pass for a month and then remove the ATG pass for a month and see what happens. I think learning the other hand is a completely separate experiment.

X

Originally Posted by zib

It is the second and third passes, the ATG and XTG that get me.

Once you can use both hands equally well you will have twice the options for addressing the tough spots. It really helps.

One thing, I would suggest using a round rather than a spike point razor as you are starting out "going both ways". (That doesn't sound right, does it....) About the only place I ever actually cut myself is on that little protrusion in front of my ear and that usually happens when I have a spike or square point razor in my left hand.