Thread: HELP : Should I straight shave ? Or shouldn't I ...

Originally Posted by TeMpTiN

I know it may be difficult as active duty military but have you gotten a second opinion from another Dermatologist?

If "I" were going for a second opinion I would take everything with me all the meds, the machine everything. Explain the procedures you have been using, and all the issues you have, ask lots of questions.

+1 to TeMpTiN's advice.

I am a doctor (not an MD, but a DVM). Doctors are human beings and as such are fallible. If a patient is not responding the way I expect them to or if the client seems uneasy with my diagnosis, I always encourage them to get a second opinion. After all, two heads are better than one.

Sorry you're having such troubles. Good luck

hey welcome to SRP,

I laud you for serving your country.

I agree with several of the comments posted:

-see another Dr. and take all your treatments with you.
-don't give up on a badger brush and ToBS just yet. I'm not sure how long you've been using these products but if you're not getting a thick lather then you're missing out.
-shave only as close as the Military forces (see what I did here ;P) you too.


Not being a Dr. of any sort or even really all that bright I don't know what advice I can offer. However, I do think that you should start experimenting with a straight razor. Straight Razors don't encourage ingrown hairs because they don't cut below the skin (as I understand) they have a somewhat exfoliating effect (as I understand) which should all be beneficial to you. A straight is super sharp and should (as was pointed out by another member) have no problem cutting into your beard.

Also, experiment with all kinds of creams and soaps until you find what works for you or hopefully best for you. There must be some sort of product out there that suits your skin. Maybe there are even special prescription shaving creams? This might be a tad pricey but for you it will be worth it in the end.

Experiment with pre shave treatments, oils, towels, etc. to find what's best for your skin and what leads to the least irritating shave.

In sum, I think that you're the type of guy that can benefit from the knowledge on this forum and from straight razor shaving. Sure, it's a steep learning curve. Sure it's a bit more time consuming. Sure it's a little pricey at first but it's also the holy grail of shaving and face treatment which is probably what you need.


Finally, look around and see if you can find an aged barber who can give you a professional straight razor shave. This should tell you if, done properly, the straight might be a benefit to you. Plus, there's a good chance that a guy that's been shearing beards for 50 years has seen it all and might have some good advice for you.

Stultsy

A ton of thanks for you guys, for helping me as you do ... Much appreciated

A lot of questions too ...
So I'm bringing answers :

A certain time ago, I also went especially to my derm, who confirmed about acne. He said that the beginning point was a blackhead ...
Yeah, maybe he's right, I don't know. All I can say is that :

- The doc I went to, did not know I was doing some IPL
- But the derm did, because himself adviced me for it
- When I say that I feel my skin irritated with a brush, I obviously shave AFTER a hot shower, and when I lathering on the face, I can feel a stinging and " warming " sensation. I tried a silvertip by Kent, and a Pure badger by Plisson.
- For the creams I have tried Proraso, and ToBS lavender. I actually did not see any difference between the two in terms of efficacity
The DE seemed not to glide easily, and I end up irritated with stubborn stubble !!!!!
- At first, I have a little pimple, like a redness, but it's quite underneath the skin. Then, day after day, I can see a little hair regrowing, inside of it, but it's not the same on my legs or on my chest, where I'm REALLY able to SEE the hair UNDER the skin/the zit.
When it comes to happen on my face, I barely can not see the hair, and if I can, I do not understand why it makes this kind of trouble, because I do not see underneath ...


Does this help you of any sort ?

Welcome to SRP! You've already gotten some great advice here from the fellows. Might I suggest trying witch hazel as a post shave treatment..it'll help soothe and close the pores...worth a shot

Yes, it's worth a try.

Usually, I rinse off with hot water, shortly. Then with very cold water. And I pat dry off. I do not rub.
That's all. I have the feeling that if I apply any kind of mosturizer or balm, my skin is greasy, and I'm not sure, but I seem to have more problems ...
I 've read a lot of good reviews about Niveo for men sensitive skin aftershave balm, maybe it's worth a try.

I used to apply Proraso balm, and I find it good, but my skin tends to be oily during the day when I apply this, whereas it's not oily if I don't apply aftershave.

So, I still do not know what to do ...

Regarding your attempt at DE shaving, you mentioned it was not as smooth as your shaves with a Mach 3 and goo. I think that is pretty much universal for the first shaves with a DE. My first three were lousy, the next five better, and by the time I got to shave #15 I was getting shaves that rivaled or exceeded those I used to get with a Pro Fusion and proper preparation. There is a learning curve even with a DE.

Well, I tried a Super Speed, a merkur 38C, a Gold tech ...
With blades : tiger, gillette 7'o clock ( yellow ), Persona Red, Merkur, Derby, Wilkinson economy ...

I can't say that I haven't tried !!

When I go ATG with a Sensor, it's ok.
When I go ATG with a DE, it's as if the blade stayed stuck into the hair. I cut myself, I'm on fire, and the shave is poor quality.

So maybe I've not tried a sharp enough blade like Crystal or Feather. But with my sensitive skin, I'm pretty afraid ...

Originally Posted by gringo84

- When I say that I feel my skin irritated with a brush, I obviously shave AFTER a hot shower, and when I lathering on the face, I can feel a stinging and " warming " sensation. I tried a silvertip by Kent, and a Pure badger by Plisson.
- For the creams I have tried Proraso, and ToBS lavender. I actually did not see any difference between the two in terms of efficacity

I would suggest there are 2 possible causes of the stinging feeling. It could be the brush, or it could be the cream. Next time you shower, try them separately to pinpoint the culprit - use the brush only with water (make sure it is properly cleaned for residue). If it is indeed the brush maybe try a synthetic brush. After that, try your cream, without the brush. If it is the cream, search for a better suited soap.

Best of luck

Ask your doc about the hair removal treatments and interactions with sunlight afterwards. Also interactions with some medications. This may be the biggest part of your problem.


HLS

Originally Posted by HLS

Ask your doc about the hair removal treatments and interactions with sunlight afterwards. Also interactions with some medications. This may be the biggest part of your problem.


HLS

Well, I'm not following any treatment !

To tell the truth, the only things I apply on my skin are some cosmetics designed for men ( cleaner + ingrown hair lotion, both by Anthony logistics ) ... Nothing medical
And I cannot say I'm really ( and often ) exposed to sunlights ...

And we almost could say that it's the hair regrowing from IPL which is involved, most of the time !! It grows back thinner and thinner, maybe it's the reason why it has troubles for getting through the skin ...

But it appears like hormonal acne that some teen have, on the jawline and the bottom of the cheeks, looks so ugly ... GOD !!!