Thread: real bad razor burn when using my straight.

I'd advise sending it out for honing. The burn is probably from too much pressure and with a properly sharp razor you won't need this. have you shaved with a shave ready (ie sharpened by someone who's good at it) before?

Originally Posted by flyfishingta

I've neen shaving after my showers to make sure that the hair is nice and soft. Use a good lather when shaving, and use a good skin conditioner afterwards. Is there anything that can be done say in the preshave to alleviate the problem of the razorburn?

flyfinshingta;
All the guys have given good info. The only thing I would answer re: razorburn for any shaver is....ready? Get some Pampers Sensitive Baby wipes. You can buy a small pack for a few bucks. It has Benzocaine + Aloe in it which will reduce the pain associated with razor burn. If they are good enough for the BsB then they must be good for BBS. Think about it. Think, think, think about it.
MIke

Try using cold water--as cold as your tap will run--for the whole shave.

I struggled for a long time with razor burn with my DE. I've had little trouble with a straight. It took several things to resolve my burn problems. Shave before showering. Although the showering will hydrate your whiskers, the showering can soften your skin too much which makes it much easier to irritate it. The Proraso Pre/Post cream really helped me too. ATG on the first or second pass usually is too soon for me and can burn the skin.

+1 on Correct angle and light presure and bare in mind using a straight razor exfolates your skin, so if your skin is new to straight razors keep your passes down to a minimum. I would also recommend alum for post shave treatment, its very effective

How does the blade feel as it cuts? Does it feel rough? It is possible that you have slightly rolled an edge and if your stropping is not up to snuff it will cause some problems. It si something to look into if the above suggestions do not help. It is easy enough to find a rolled edge if you know what you are looking for.


Take Care,
Richard

Also, I'm not using any aftershave cause right now it feels like a blowtorch on my skin afterwards.

FWIW --

I've been using a moisturizing cream ( H2O "Body Butter", but any thick moisturizing cream should work) after shaving. It really "calms down" any burning skin.

I think that alcohol-based aftershaves, or witch hazel, would just make things worse.

Charles

PS -- I suspect that the cosmetics manufacturers have discovered MEN !!! I also suspect that there's no difference between the "men's line" and the "women's line", except the choice of fragrance. I'm going to try some "Body Shop" moisturizer next.

In addition to all of the advice given, which is spot on, you have to remember that it takes quite some time for your skin to break in - and that can take 4 - 6 months. And that is something you are not in control of.

I foud that there was a magic day where my pressue, angle, lather build, prep, stropping and skin break in all seemed to magically come together at once and voila - no more razor burn or other bad things.

Forget "reduced pressure," try for no pressure at all. Let that razor barely touch your skin and that is it. Pressure doesn't help straight razor shaves, it impedes them. Pressure is so ingrained in us by using disposables that its hard to get over.

I also agree that you should send it off to get properly honed. Look under the member services section of the classifieds for someone near you.

While I also recommend less pressure, I also want to emphasis holding the razor firmly. Too light pressure+loose grip+stubborn whiskers=cuts. You don't need to really grip hard on the thing, but just put enough of a grip to keep it secure.