Thread: Daily Shaving a thick beard - I can't seem to get it to work.

After my response here I happened to respond to a message having to do with ingrowns and bumps on another site, and I just want air an idea I had. Themba, I would love to have your input and maybe I can get back to this other guy with some helpful advice.

My idea was to go for absolute minimum-irritation, imperfect shaves. By imperfect I mean leaving stubble. Irritation-free shaves would be achieved by taking a semi-shave twice twice a day (am and pm). A semi-shave would be a one pass shave that leaves a light stubble. The shave is done twice daily so that a minimum beard can be shaved each time to avoid irritation.

A while back I reviewed the motorized MP3 and found it to be he mildest shave ever, but not close enough for me. So I did an experiment and I found you could get a really good semi-shave with a quick, single, light touch, NS pass using this razor and Aveeno therapeutic gel. When you're finished, there's absolutely no irritation, no redness and not even a tingle. You have to shave superficially (no going over any spots where lather has been shaved off) to leave the stubble. If this razor is used lightly you don't even have a sensation of shaving; it just feels like you're painting your face. After the first shave it becomes even gentler because you're shaving half a day's growth each time. This is less than a five minute shave.

I would like to recommend that the shaver try this for two weeks to see if it offers relief. At that point he can experiment with shaving closer, at least where he doesn't get bumps. If his face clears up, he can start thinking about using other razors and products.

Themba and any other guys with ingrown experience, do you think this would work?

I have done something similar, with clippers, and also with a straight. I never used a M3P so I have no input on it' usage, but it is a sound and proven method if done properly. What you are talking about is maintaining a micro-close shave without irritation, but still allowing the whiskers to stay above the folicle so as NOT to ingrow. Clippers don't cut as close as blades and don't give razor burn (rarely will this happen with clippers) so this method is easier with them. Extreme PFB sufferers are often given passes from the military to wear a micro-stubble, to deal with their problem.

If done properly is the key! As a note due the ones curly whiskers, even clippers can cause ingrowns, if not used properly. If they are too dull or one tries to cut to close with them. The only method in which I shave against the grain is with clippers. I use a little shaving oil, stretch my skin, and shave lightly against the grain. I let the machine do all the work, no need to apply excessive pressure. The result is a micro-close shave and rarely any ingrowns.

You can also use a straight with the grain, using the method Joe Lerch is refering to, thought not twice a day. Technique is as important as the tool, since you are not trying to shave to close, and you are trying to keep the tip of your curly whiskers above the folicle. It is something you would have to work at.