Shaving to reduce irritation?

Yesterday morning I had really bad irritation on my lower right cheek just above my chin.

Admittedly, I did do 4 passes the day before, but I think it's the first time in years I've actually been so itchy (other than with week-long stubble) and I don't recall having visible redness the day after a good shave with a straight - my alum block told me it had been a great shave.

Anyway... Is it normal for shaving to reduce irritation? I thought "enough! Let's see if shaving helps", did a 2-pass shave, and it stopped itching.

I'm confused because I thought the opposite was true. My 2-/3-day stubble looks like most guys 5 O'Clock shadow, my skin is sensitive, and I very seldom shave 2 days in a row.

Any thoughts?

I don't know your shaving process, but it seems to me that there's more to shaving than dragging a blade over your face. The shaving action itself exfoliates but there's also the pre- and post-shave efforts which usually include some astringent and moisturizing and maybe even an application of oil. Those efforts may well be the cause of your improved comfort. Definitely a good thing, nevertheless. :)

Shaving actually irritates your skin as any blade will. It's just that after a while your skin becomes accustomed to it and the degree of irritation is so small you don't feel anything. I'd make a wager even someone who has been shaving for many years with a straight and lets say had a 2 pass routine and one day does 4 or 5 passes, I'll bet he gets irritation when that alum block hits his face.

So, the answer to your question is yes and no. Shaving causes irritation but when you start out your face gets irritated until it's gets use to the routine so then you can say shaving reduces irritation.

Clear as mud?

Shaving isn't going to reduce irritation unless the source of irritation is you rubbing the stubble on your face...in which case removing the stubble would help :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gcbryan

Shaving isn't going to reduce irritation unless the source of irritation is you rubbing the stubble on your face...in which case removing the stubble would help :)

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Ah, that's probably what it was.

If the stubble was itching like crazy, I was probably scratching my face subconsciously.

Thanks!