Thread: Need some reassurance

Hey, everyone.

I'm new to this site and I'm excited to take my place in the community. I'm starting this thread because I haven't been able to find anything that relates to it. Basically, I just had my second shave with a straight razor. I know that my technique isn't great, obviously; however I really cut my face up this time. I guess what I'm wondering is did a lot of people have an experience like this when they were starting out, too? I have about 4 pretty distinct cuts on my face just from the second session. It's a little discouraging, obviously. I'm hoping to get a couple of personal experiences from the members of the community.

Thanks very much,
Seth

yes cuts happen. However, you should learn from every cut you have put on your face. The goal is to not harm yourself, just remove unwanted hair. I too cut myself, do cut myself. I do not do it as much anymore. as I progressed the technique got better and better and soon I was giving myslef comfortable shaves. Practice makes perfect. Like the pros on the forum say start slow with the sideburns and cheeks then progress from there. Where did you cut your face? Look at the nick of the day forum and that will set your mind at ease. There are some woppers in there.

I cut myself for the first couple weeks...more so in the beginning obviously, but I still have those days where I nick myself. I'd say I didn't cut myself after a week or so, just nicks really. Self preservation will kick in soon. I'm sure you're just fine.

Thanks, K37. Just wanted to make sure I shouldn't be giving up out of utter lack of skill, lol.

When I shave the upper lip I do not go against the grain I go with the grain and slightly across the grain. When doing this on the upper lip I take care of the heal of the blade, because that is usually the peice that I nick myself with if I indeed I do nick myself. Practice good razor control. Know where that razor is going to touch you when you move it. Im not saying do not go against the grain, but that is usually where I see people cut the corner of thier mouths. I do not need to go against the grain in this area YMMV. I also like to take economy strokes, small strokes, in that area because it is confined and there is alot of area to cut yourself.

And don't forget to stretch your skin. On my face at least there are lots of rough bits near the corner of my mouth that can easily get caught, and cut. Do what you can to stretch it out. That should help. And of course, time and practice will make the whole thing better.

But hang in there! I think almost all of us have done our fair share of slicing and dicing along the way.

Yep cuts happen.
Try a lighter pressure and SMALL strokes.
I found this worked for me so far. (at least the cuts are smaller)
Go WTG until you feel comfortable.
Only then try SMALL areas for XTG
Then when you are feeling REALLY lucky try ATG!
Then you will see some nicks and cuts! HA HA!!!!!

Basically just take it slow. It will come easier as you gain more confidence in your technique!
Good Luck.

When working around your mouth and chin use your tongue to push out you lower lip. This raises area keeps the end of the razor from nicking your face around your mouth. Also you can blow a little air into your cheek to avoid cuts in the sideburn area. Then do as mentioned above and take small exacting passes.

Be sure to pay attention to how you are getting cut. Are you pressing to hard? Making parallel movements to the blade? Shaving with a bad angle? Every cut and patch of razor burn is a lesson, that is how we all learned!

Best of luck and don't give up as the first blood free shave is a great reward!

Good advice. I got myself right around the mouth area. Near the corners of the mouth on both sides. Looks pretty dumb, haha. Thanks for the directive to visit the nick of the day. I'm sure I'll feel less bad about myself when I see the ones on there.

What point does your razor have?
Round point should be easiest to handle around the mouth.
Spike, square, spanish will all be more dangerous for cuts.