Razor irritation

Following some advice when starting to use a straight last week i was skipping a day between shaves. I never really got bad razor burn but it was present and the day off helped. Today I shaved without skipping a day and I have no burn at all, its much more comfortable than when i've skipped a day. Any idea why? I havent really changed much in the way of soaps. The only thing I can think of is that my prep may have been a bit better in that I used a hot towel and my stropping is getting alot better but is that enough to make much of a difference?

A better prep may well have helped. Also your skin has had time to get used to a straight razor

Were you able to shave daily with your previous method of shaving?

Your soaps have nothing to do with anything,Your one week in,give it more time,if it gets worse,than IMO your killing your blade with your stropping,it will work out.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Were you able to shave daily with your previous method of shaving?

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Yes. I generally shaved once a day.

Its a matter of improved technique, lathering and skin getting use to the removal of the built up dead skin day in and day out the straight razor provides and carts don't.

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Originally Posted by Scookum

Yes. I generally shaved once a day.

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If you can shave daily your skin is obviously up to the task, so sensitivity isn't likely an issue. If you get irritation from skipping a day I'd say the best explanation is that you are, consciously or not, using additional pressure to compensate for the (slightly) longer growth.

If shaving daily is more comfortable then do that. It also could be your beard and how heavy and coarse it is.