Thread: tough beard with sensitive skin

My wife doesnt think I should shave every 2 days so I wait 3 cause it seems easier with a straight razor plowing through my stubble..after 3 days my face looks like I have a light yer coarse looking beard..any thoughts to guys here with coarse n sensitive skin and when do you shave?..I was also recommended to try a half hollow or less blade as they are stiffer and easier to "mow down" with

PcDad

Since i have a job that lets me not shave as much as i want, i tend to shave every 3 to 4 days( at least thats my ideal stubble growth) anymore and i start getting itchy, and any less and i start getting irritated more often. I can shave every other day and do sometimes do because its soo fun but again i get a little more irritation and need to pay a little extra post skin treatment(thayers, ASB) to the area, but all in all whatever works for you

Hey pcdad,

I'm lucky in that my wife doesn't care when I shave and I have a job where it doesn't really matter to be clean shaven daily.

However, I'm also cursed with fairly sensitive skin that can not stand the rigours of shaving everyday, even though my stubble does grow quickly. This has been the case with any type of razor that I've used. I've been straight shaving for nearly 2 years, learned all the tricks and techniques, only to find it is my skin and not my technique. There are many members who have a similar predicament.

I'd say, if you are in the same boat, either experiment with your prep + technique or just be content with shaving every other day like me.

I shave every other day now but used to wait a bit longer when I first started. I found that I could shave WTG on my neck below the jawline without problem, and that really helped in that my beard at least looked neat when I waited 3+ days between shaves.

Ryan82:

I work from home so things are pretty easy but if I wait 2 days then I do feel irritation is easier to show up..makes sense..do you feel half hollow more or less makes a noticeable diff..assuming stropping and care is fine.

pcdad

I think you can get equally comfortable shaves with any good razor. I'm not one to believe in these old barbers tales of fitting the razor to the face.

I have pretty sensitive skin too and a heavy beard and though I get my best shaves every other day like most I still shave every day and find as long as the razor is proper sharp I don't have any problems. If the razor is starting to slip though then the irritation makes itself known.

Originally Posted by pcdad

Ryan82:

I work from home so things are pretty easy but if I wait 2 days then I do feel irritation is easier to show up..makes sense..do you feel half hollow more or less makes a noticeable diff..assuming stropping and care is fine.

pcdad

Sorry, are you saying that if you wait 2 days then you get more irritation? Just asking for clarification.

Anyhow, some guys swear that a quarter hollow/half hollow/wedge etc are the way to go if you have a heavy beard. This is can certainly be the case when just starting out; the stiffer grind mows though the stubble very easily. But it is also making up for technique issues, as the blade has less flex and can be more forgiving than a full hollow. I'm not saying that your technique sucks, as I don't know your shaving expertise. But when your technique is nailed down you might find a hollow to be your best friend.

I tracked down this old thread, you might find it interesting: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...w-apology.html.

These days I find I use a wedge mostly for heavy growth days, but it also works very well on short stubble as well.

A stiffer grind "may" be easier to "mow down" with but as tbs said an optimally sharp razor of any grind works. Some razors can feel nicer on the face than others & you will no doubt acquire some favourites but most will do the job.

I think thats a VERY GOOD analogy..just because it is a stiffer grind doesnt mean I may have more issues due to my sensitive skin..kinda reminds me of my father in law who got me started in DE over 2yrs ago and now I'm primarily with str8's...if you think about a Merkur Slant razor..does hella job for tough faces..BUT murder on sensitive skin as more blade exposure is the con for sensitive skin...I think i will work with what I have...unless there is an "offer" I can't refuse ;-)

pcdad

I would suggest that keeping it to 1-2 passes rather than your usual 4+ might help...

If 1-2 passes isn't getting you to clean shaven, then your technique is probably less-than-optimal, and with time and practice will get better-- leaving you with better, less irritating shaves as time goes on.