Newb Skin Problems/Questions

Three questions:

1) Firebox has graciously let me try some Proraso shaving soap. After my third shave I was finally able to make a great lather, but some reason I feel like the razor is sticking to my skin. Not "pulling" (it's definitely sharp) but like the razor is suction-cupped to my cheek. This I've read means it's not "slick" enough? How can I improve that?

2) It seems like the closer the shave I get (especially after the ATG pass) the more blemishes I get on my cheeks. Not cuts, and not ingrown hairs, but just, well, blemishes. Like a break-out, but less pimple like, and more red-irritation like. They itch a bit, and if I scratch at them too much they get worse and worse, so I'm doing the best I can to not touch my face. This would happen occasionally when I used a Mach3, but not often. It didn't happen on my first straight shave, it happened a bit on my second, and my third was a bit worse. What can I do to reduce this?

I have a feeling that both of these have to do with dryness of my skin, and that the Proraso is drying me out. Perhaps because I'm not used to scrubbing my face so thoroughly (now that I have a brush), maybe I'm removing too many oils?

3) If anyone else has these problems, what products do you use to fix this?

Thanks! You guys have been a great help so far, and I'm enjoying my stay here at SRP!

Edit: This is what I've been doing for a preshave: Steaming hot shower to soften the beard, wet my face with hot water at the sink right before hand, then applied the lather.

MIke,
Without replenishing, your skin will dry out using shave soaps and creams. Use the witchhazel followed by a good aftershave. You can get a host of recomendations here on the site. I've used Nancy Boy cooling gel, Poraso AS, Trumpers skin food, and others. As a side note, my skin seems to be clearer since using a str8 and AS. If I thought about it, I had an extra piece of an alum block I could have given you.

Did the pasted strop make a difference?

Martin

Hi Mike,

Keep in mind that I'm no doctor, but here is my theory. I have experienced exactly what you're talking about. After much experimentation, I think I have figured out the problem and solution.

First, the problem is that you are washing your face too much and scrubbing it too clean. You are stripping all your oils and your face is overproducing oils in response. This overproduction leads to exactly the type of blemishes which you are describing -- I believe they're called cystic acne. They are solid, red, itchy, and feel very deep in the skin (as opposed to whiteheads that you can feel at the surface)?

Now, onto the solution. I have found that I cannot do more than 2 (sometimes 3) passes when shaving. Since you're effectively washing your face every time you do a pass, you need to be careful not to overdo it -- as you mentioned, you are scrubbing all your oils away with your brush. Notice how it got progressively worse as you shaved more and more? Try spacing those shaves out a bit. I have a light beard, so I only need to shave every 2-3 days, which helps a lot too. So, if you can swing it, don't shave every day (or if you do, don't use more than 1 or 2 passes each day).

Finally, and this sounds so counterintuitive, stop washing your face. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't experienced, but I have completely stopped washing my face, except for the times I shave, and my skin has never looked better. If these are the only blemishes you're suffering from, you should be ok. I realize it sounds so backwards, but try if for a week and see what happens. I just rinse my face with warm and cold water when I wake up and before I go to bed. That's it. And I haven't had any of those problems you're describing in quite a while now. And whenever I push it and shave with too many passes or wash my face too much, they start to develop.

Best of luck.

The composition of the soap can cause irritation as well. Some soaps use essence oils other use fragrance oils. Essence oils are natural and less harsh, fragrance oils are artificial and harsher (I think, I am not a soap chemist). I notice a difference when using the two. I also put just a little drop of hand cream on my finger, work it around my fingertips and then brush my face to replace what the soap/razor removed. That resolved the problem for me, but it does not sound like my irritation was as bad as yours. FYI, a dull razor and/or too much pressure while shaving will do the same thing.

Buy an Alum Block and all well be corrected.

These things are awesome. I wouldn't shave without mine now.