Thread: Shave timing stuff

Shaving does not only remove stubble but also a thin layer of dead (and if you nick yourself live) skin. The longer you haven't shaved the more time your skin has had to recover. The fact that alcohol and adstringents sting when applied immediately after shaving but not when applied one or more days after shaving demonstrates the fact that shaving has uncovered nerve endings that normally are covered by an intact skin. The more recovered the skin the better it can handle a shave. 24 hours may just not be enough time for the skin to recover.

Originally Posted by Kees

Shaving does not only remove stubble but also a thin layer of dead (and if you nick yourself live) skin. The longer you haven't shaved the more time your skin has had to recover. The fact that alcohol and adstringents sting when applied immediately after shaving but not when applied one or more days after shaving demonstrates the fact that shaving has uncovered nerve endings that normally are covered by an intact skin. The more recovered the skin the better it can handle a shave. 24 hours may just not be enough time for the skin to recover.

This is, of course true, but my answer was provided with the asumption that regardless of how you shaved you would be careful not to produce any effect other than normal exfolliation, which should produce no more than a slight tingle.

If you are prone to irritation, shaving less often will always result in more comfort. But if you are prone to irritation it is best to shave as non-aggressively as possible, which means taking more passes to reach the skin or shaving with fewer passes, but more often.

I think Ed has been reading John Bridges! I agree, a good shave daily that is close is preferred. However, after going over a year without missing a day, it is nice once in a while to take a day off. I think my face appreciates it, and if I am not going to be in public, then I will skip a day.

RT