Thread: Super skin stretching left me a scar :-(

Always trying new methods to get a closer shave with fewer passes...

Saturday I tried REALLY stretching the skin. I pulled the skin on my cheek VERY, VERY tight.


Well, Mr. Joseph Allen XXL (the culprit that has left nicks in the strop) opened a horizontal gash - that is, the same orientation as the blade. Yes, I said opened, as opposed to a cut.

This was my WTG pass at 20 deg and this damned scalpel left me a 1-1/2" gash.


At the beginning, I had cut myself, usually by not paying attention and these were from edge going across the skin versus straight down.

Never have I ever gashed myself this way.


And it is going to leave a scar.

it doesn't have to leave a scar.. thoroughly clean it and apply some neosporen. there are also other methods you can use.. vitamin e helps.. the main thing is.. don't let the cut dry out or scab up..

There is a long debate about whether blades can be too sharp. We don't need to reopen that can of worms! But, the reason I prefer blades a touch off their sharpest is illustrated by your horizontal cut.

Let me give an example of my own. I honed and stropped my regular razor recently. At one point during my first shave, the razor just sunk into my flesh as if there was nothing there! Luckily, it was very superficial. But, no tactile feedback. It just melted in!

And, I suspect something like that happened when you stretched the skin.

Personally, I like a blade with a slightly rounded edge that gives tactile feedback when the blade skims along on the skin. A blade that doesn't slice into my skin without warning.

When I 1st starting using my str8 razor a few months ago..the pro's let me know ahead of time overdoing anything would result in not so happy results...live n learn..I hope everything gets better!

pcdad

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

There is a long debate about whether blades can be too sharp. We don't need to reopen that can of worms! But, the reason I prefer blades a touch off their sharpest is illustrated by your horizontal cut.

Let me give an example of my own. I honed and stropped my regular razor recently. At one point during my first shave, the razor just sunk into my flesh as if there was nothing there! Luckily, it was very superficial. But, no tactile feedback. It just melted in!

And, I suspect something like that happened when you stretched the skin.

Personally, I like a blade with a slightly rounded edge that gives tactile feedback when the blade skims along on the skin. A blade that doesn't slice into my skin without warning.

Funny thing is, the Joseph Allen is my only wedge. It doesn't pass any sharpness tests. And yet it is the one that has nicked my strop (haven't nicked it with any other razors), cut my palm and fingertips (honing and testing.

Sucker is too sharp but doesn't give me feedback that it is too sharp!

That said, good advice Larry. Thank you. Will keep this in mind heading forward.

Hello, Desdinova:

If I may suggest, please ease up on the hard stretching. Of course, stretch you must, but don't go overboard. After all, it is only skin and it can handle only so much.

In the meantime, apply the appropriate ointment and then lay off the shave for a day or so until you heal.

Regards,
Obie

With a bit of luck you might be able to avoid a scar - I recommend keeping it covered for a few days and applying something like Climb On Cream or another shea butter/aloe vera/healing moisturizer.

I cannot see any cuts? without picture ?

My wedge did a similar thing to me the first time I tried to shave my mustache....someone on here said to not let the blade stop as it might sink in?.......I did and it did....painless at first anyway. Lucky for me very small no scar....bled like stink though.

Take care of that cut, buddy.