In Trouble...

Hey all

So this weekend I decided that I was going to spend the time to do a proper ATG shave, and try to get as smooth as I could. I have been able to do this before with great results, but the problem is irritation and ingrown hairs.

On my neck, I did a WTG pass, and then a very light ATG. The next day I started to notice ingrown hairs on my neck where I went ATG.

Granted, I hone my own razor and it is probably nowhere near as sharp as most on this site would like to use- I dont see why this happens.

I use a decent shave soap, and a nice ralph lauren aftershave. I use hot water (Im going to try cold water on my next shave)

Any ideas on how I can treat these hairs? They aren't that noticible or anything, but its just that I cannot shave again until they are gone, and I do not like to be unshaven for very long.

Is there something I can pick up to help heal them faster?

Any other thoughts about how to avoid them? Maybe if I had a sharper razor I could get a closer shave on my WTG pass and not need to go ATG?

ATG is a funny pass. Some people can do it with no problems and other people just cant do it at all.

I'm someone who cant do that pass. If I do I get ingrown hairs, irritation and razor burn and its a totally unpleasant shave. It just ruins my face.

I use a mix of WTG and XTG passes to get a close and comfortable shave, and I never do the ATG pass now. In fact, a master barber at Trumpers told me never to do the ATG pass as it irritates and encourages ingrown hairs.

I've still got a couple of problem areas on my neck left over from my Mach 3 days, so I feel your pain..!

Theres a few ways you can treat them. Washing your face often and applying moisturiser is one way, and lifting any obvious hairs out over the skin with a pin. Just be careful there not to break the skin otherwise you could get an infection.

I've just bought some of this stuff as well:

Ingrown hair treatment. PFB Vanish ingrown hair treatment official UK website

I got the 40z roll on bottle. You just roll it onto the affected area right after shaving. Its got some sort of exfoliant in it, as well as aspirin to reduce swelling, glycerin, alcohol to prevent infection and so on. I've only been using it a couple of days but it does seem to be working well so far.

If you're not sure about your razor, I'd send it out to a pro to get honed, that way you know you have a good edge. If you're honing yourself, the edge should be comparable to a new DE blade when doing your tests like TPT, HHT and shave test. That was a tip I got from JimmyHAD and its working well for me..!

Theres basically four things you need for a good shave:

- A shave ready razor
- Good stropping
- Good prep
- Good technique

If one of them is lacking then your face will tell you..!

The razor should glide over your face without pulling or irritating the skin. Now if your razor does glide on every pass except ATG, I'd argue that you may be one of these people whose skin does not like the ATG pass. If your razor pulls at all going WTG, or doesnt remove hair, then it probably needs to be sharpened. But as I say, if you're not sure then send it out. Its the best way to be sure you have a good edge..!

Good luck!

I can't help on the ingrown hair. But, would be glad to hone a razor for you free to try. If you don't want to be without your razor while its' being honed, I can mail you a loaner. If interested PM me or email [email protected].

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I can't help on the ingrown hair. But, would be glad to hone a razor for you free to try. If you don't want to be without your razor while its' being honed, I can mail you a loaner. If interested PM me or email [email protected].

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Can't beat that! Offers like that is what makes this place great.

I bought my straight from Larry and can attest to his honing abilities. :beer1:

This may sound strange to a newbie, but I can get better ATG results after an XTG pass on many areas of my face.

Some small areas can handle ATG passes after WTG, but you need to experiment a little to find out what works best for you.

Good Luck,

Pabster

There is one spot on my face that is more prone to razor burn than others. I shave that spot with 4 or 5 passes. I keep a brush in my left hand, and shave WTG. Lather, and shave WTG + 45 degrees. Lather & shave, etc, etc until I get to ATG. No razor burn. And, with the lathering right after each pass with simply a swipe of the brush, the extra passes don't take as much time as it sounds.

I very rarely get ingrown hairs, but I have heard they can be caused from getting too close a shave. I guess if you cut the hair enough to be completely under the skin, it has the potential to not grow straight out correctly.

If that's the case, I'd say skip the ATG and get a close XTG shave. The smoothness won't last as long, but you might avoid the ingrowns.

I would either send that blade out to be honed or buy a shave ready razor from a reputable source.

This eliminates one big factor You still have them after this, it then comes down to prep,products, and technique.