Thread: Re-growing a face

At one point we were all new to this straight razor thing. And people new to straight razor shaving, such as myself, have a tendency to nick and/or cut themselves. A lot.

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back? I mean, I'm doing alright right now, but I can imagine that after more than 3 or 4 days of this my face will be killing me. I'm not getting a ton of cuts or anything, just scraping my face a lot.

I'm definitely far from a pro, but a few months ago I definitely let my face heal up for a couple days, if I experienced irritation. Using a straight, sure you're going to get the occasional weeper or cut, especially when starting out, but there's no need to press on shaving, if your face is not happy. Shaving should be enjoyable, not torture. No shame if you need to drop back to a different shaving method or letting the face rest for a bit. Have fun!

My dear DPflaumer,

I am only a straight razor pilgrim, and will always be, but I usually take a day off from shaving once or twice a month just to let things heal. I rarely cut myself, knock on wood, but I find the day's respite healthy for my Hollywood face.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back?

Ideally, my face should heal completely after each shave. Usually, it does but sometimes my technique has not always been ideal; therefore some shaves require more rest afterwards than others. The best test is a look in the mirror and a quick feel.

So if you go to shave and your face is still burning maybe a break is in order.

Cheers!

i find that i am doing too many passes if i get irritation after shaving. either that or my straight wasnt stropped enough. i take a couple days off a week tho out of sheer laziness.

It is definitely not unusual for people new to straights to shave every second day, for example, just to give the face more time to recover. I did that myself for a time, and recall it did help a lot.

It is also a good idea to give any nicks or cuts time to heal before using a straight again. Re-opening a cut can be painful, and discouraging, and potentially lead to infection if you are not careful etc. So yes, I would recommend giving any wounds some time to heal if it is possible to do so.

James.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back?

DPflaumer,

Despite I am not a pro neither I think I will ever be, but yes, I do know what you mean and how you feel.

To make a long story short: Three years ago, I used to be a mach-3 shaver, since then, I first started with DE ( 1 Slim, 1 Fat Boy, 1 Flare tip SS, 2 1940 SS), then I stepped up to str8s shaving (got about 12 of them plus an iwasaki and recently a non folding Feather DX), and today I had a shave with a mach-3. I make myself nor nicks neither cuts, but I was feeling like if the skin of my face was becoming transparent, like if every time I shave I took away a very very thin layer of skin.

I know I haven't managed the str8 yet, I really have enjoyed the Feather DX (only two shaves so far).

Today after lathering with my badger silver tip brush and Tobac soap, I shaved my self with a mach-3 and ..... yes I feel a real relief. Conclusion: I am doing some thing wrong. Buuuuuut it really makes feel much better to share our experiences and to see we are not alone in this shaving adventure !

wellcome to the world of the straight, no its normal to skip a day or two when the razor burns you. theres a lot to learn when shaveing with a straight razor . razor sharp? right angle? lather well made?? face well preped???the thing you must learn thou is the touch. your angle can be off ,the razor not atom splitting sharp ,your lather less than ideal,your face unpreped and still if you have the right touch ,frim but light you will get a good shave.the only way to learn it is to do it .in the end stick with it and you will find its the only sane way to shave

The first few times I shaved with a straight (before this site existed so I didn't have much to help me) I got massive razor burn so I took several days off before starting again with a straight.

I've taken days off too. Now that that admission is out of the way...

Technique and a sharp edge improves the shave, of course. In addition, I believe that my face "got used to" the blade to some degree after a few weeks.