Thread: Pre-shave reccomendations?

My last shave (my 3rd and only decent shave to date) gave me some TERRIBLE razor burn/irritation. I do realize that my skin will need to get used to being shaved so close but I need to something in the meantime. Can anybody reccomend a Pre-shave oil/gel that will help with razor burn/irritation that I can use with a brush?

You might try the "Herbel Pre-Shave Gel" Made by Taylor of Old Bond Street. I think this is ok to be used with a brush, and is available at classicshaving.com. I have not tried this so I cannot comment on how it works.

Also the razor burn may not be from sensitive skin, it is probably technique. You may be holding the razor at too much of an angle to the face. Try holding the razor at a lessor angle.

GOOD LUCK

That is entirely possible however, at a lesser angle it does not seem to cut. Once the cut from the last shave heals I will try to refine the angle a little more.

I'm new at this, too...but I'm wondering if maybe your razor isn't sharp enough? When I tried my new Dovo right out of the box, I felt the burn like you describe. After stropping about 30 times, it was better. Now that I've honed it some, it's very smooth and no burn at all. Just can't get the chin as smooth as the cheeks yet, though!

You might also try putting on some hair conditioner and leaving it on (don't rinse) prior to lathering. I read that here somewhere (thanks to whoever posted it - I can't remember) and I've tried it. It works pretty good, and you also probably won't have to wait for mail-order supplies to come in to try it!

Good luck!

Tim

Originally Posted by glrerun

You might try the "Herbel Pre-Shave Gel" Made by Taylor of Old Bond Street. I think this is ok to be used with a brush, and is available at classicshaving.com. I have not tried this so I cannot comment on how it works.
Also the razor burn may not be from sensitive skin, it is probably technique. You may be holding the razor at too much of an angle to the face. Try holding the razor at a lessor angle.GOOD LUCK

I use this product sometimes. It's very good but very expensive. It's been said in these forums that an alcohol dip after stropping helps reduce irritation. I do it because it makes sense that the strop is the weak link in the sterilization chain.

As a pre-shave I use either Cremo cream or feather pre shave both work fine. I have also used proraso pre shave and it worked well too. But the others might be right about the angle and sharpness. Good luck.

You didn't mention much about your prep routine, so I have to throw this in. Shave right after you shower. If not, apply hot towels to your face for a couple of minutes. This helps open the pores, stimulates your face to increase oil production and softens the hairs. A dry whisker, believe it or not, is harder to cut than copper wire of the same diameter.

A pre-shave oil will help increase the lubrication. Many are just an oil you rub onto your face prior to lathering up. This might help with the razor burn. But, let's back up one step for a moment. What kind of results do you get if you lather up with your current product and use a regular razor? I know, it's blasphemy. But, I'm wondering if you might be having a reaction to the shaving product you're using.

Since it's your third shave, make sure you are shaving with the grain only. It will probably take a couple of weeks for your face to adjust. Using a straight razor exfoliates, which is a fancy way of saying removes dead skin cells -- something Mach3's don't do. If your face feels dry and really tight, try applying some moisturizer.

My gut feeling though is the sharpness of the razor and/or technique. Two of the most common causes for razor burn are a dull razor and using too much pressure while shaving. You might take a look at the "How To & Why" section at ClassicShaving for some good info on stropping and checking the sharpness of your razor. Most new razors are not sharp out of the box, and no amount of stropping on a plain strop will fix that.

Good Post Tim,

I too agree with Tim. I think chasing a good shave with greater and greater preshave treatments is difficult. With my blades I can use hot water only. And a little cream makes all the difference. Its the sharpness of your blade thats the issue. I haven't found any preshave that makes a difference dramatic enough to warrant its cost. I have used a preshave oil on occasion either by itself or with cream. To what effect? None I could really value.

Originally Posted by twheels

I'm new at this, too...but I'm wondering if maybe your razor isn't sharp enough? When I tried my new Dovo right out of the box, I felt the burn like you describe. After stropping about 30 times, it was better. Now that I've honed it some, it's very smooth and no burn at all. Just can't get the chin as smooth as the cheeks yet, though!

You might also try putting on some hair conditioner and leaving it on (don't rinse) prior to lathering. I read that here somewhere (thanks to whoever posted it - I can't remember) and I've tried it. It works pretty good, and you also probably won't have to wait for mail-order supplies to come in to try it!

Good luck!

Tim

Avoid pre-shave oils if you have a brush you care about. It will ruin a badger brush, according to the big three ~~ Simpson's, Plisson and Vulfix. I was told specifically that by Mark Watterson of Vulfix, and read it by the others. Good enough for me. Prep is key, as the other fellows have said, and a sharp razor. If your razor is sharp enough, it will shave well without having to crank up the angle or applying too much pressure. The first pass will make you want to press down hard with the razor, but you must resist the temptation to get a baby's butt with the first pass. Simply take off as much whisker as will come off using very little pressure. Then rinse with hot water again, re-lather, and you should find the second and third passes easier as you go. Three passes total should get you fairly smooth with almost no irritation. As you get more practice under your belt, you'll get smoother and smoother. Just make sure that razor is keen!

Jeff

My beard prep consists of a hot shower and some shaving cream. If I want to pamper myself or haven't had time to shower, I'll use the hot towel routine which really is great way to relax. I use Ambrosia Shave Cream from Lush which doesn't lather and is very slick so it works quite well.

Hot water should be your number one friend. It will make a world of difference.

A super keen blade is the best option for comfort. I also often find that going back to sharpen the blade again a few days after the initial honing will give it a little more keen. Just be very careful if you do. You don't want to ruin the edge that's there.

Pressure while shaving is your worst enemy. It razes and cuts. If you're unsatisfied with the attack you're getting on those whiskers with your final passes, try changing your shaving angle and perhaps working on a slight cutting angle.