Shaving Problem

[greatbigC]

I find that if I moisten my face with water, lather up some soap and apply it before adding the shave gel, I get a nice smooth shave.

[normtwofinger]

Just bought an electric shaver that can be used with water. Seems to help. I find I have less burn when I use it in the shower.

[peter12]

Do the full wet-shave with a safety razor, and mix your own lather. It's just a world of difference in the smoothness of your shave, and if done properly, should eliminate most razor burn.

Shaving after getting out of the shower is good technique, as the warm water opens up your pores, making hair removal a lot less difficult. Also remember to rinse your face thoroughly with cold water after your shave to close your pores. Always put on a non-alcoholic aftershave or moisturizer when you are finished.

Also, take note of which parts of your face are more sensitive. Like a lot of men, I get terrible razor burn on my neck directly below my jaw if I shave against the grain there. Learn which parts of your face can sustain a close shave, and which parts cannot.

[killer_carlson]

I find the Mach 3 type close shave razors are tougher on my skin than the Sensor Excell I've used for the past 17 years.

If you want to try something new, try getting a brush and the soap that you have to add water and use the brush. I use one now that has aloe added to it and it's great on my skin.

Finally, one other thing that has been great for my post shaving is from the Body Shop and it's a Tea Tree lotion. It's awesome.

[Jedi Ninja]

The following has proved reasonably foolproof for me. There may be some break-in period.

• Shave immediately after stepping out of the shower. You have a 2 minute window of opportunity.
• Use a gel. A good cream might work, but the gel has been a sure bet for me.
• Use Mach 3 or Excel razors.
• Don't press down on the razor.
• Rinse the blade after every stroke
• Clean up with cold water.
• No aftershaves or conditioners. Alcohol aftershaves give me burns and the other type gives me pimples.

I don't get the shave in the shower crowd. I've tried that a couple of times. Worst shave ever. Cream rinses off, get burned, miss spots.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Meh, I've probably fully shaved 15 times in the last 8 years, so I probably should have just stayed out of this.

Exactly. My solution to avoiding irritation from shaving: a beard. I keep it short with a beard trimmer, and then clean up the neck with the same trimmer with no guard.

I have had exactly one wet shave since 2006 and remembered instantly why I avoid them.

[Azure]

There is no reason every single guy in the world can't get a good clean shave without irritating the skin.

You just have to find a way that works for you I figure.

[KielC]

Witch hazel as aftershave works well.

[Locke]

Just blast your face with Nair.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by blankall

You pluck your entire face?

Would leave a bloody mess for me and take forever. What if you want to grow facial hair of some kind some day?

Only just got up to the entire face recently. I found it was best to just pluck in alternating patches until the nerves harden up a bit, as it can be a bit sore. A decent rule of thumb is to count 100 plucked hairs, and then just shave the rest as usual. You'll start to notice there's less to pluck around 4 months in, and I guess it just gets easier and easier after that - with less and less regrowth too. At a minimum, it thins out your beard and makes future shaves easier too.

I'd say see if you can stick it out for 4 "shaves." I think it's worth it.

[Rathji]

For me, I just stopped caring if the shave was close or not.

[NBC]

If the irritation is due to ingrown hair then you need to treat that area. Lots of good stuff to buy that can help, also exfoliating to remove the thick layers of dead skin is essential. This could take a number of months to get under control.

Also the more blades a razor has usually means more irritation for guys with problem areas. He safest bet is to use an old style safety razor that has one button blade. You will get far less irritation with one of those than these new blades that scrape 5 chunks of steel across your face. The drawback is that it is a bit more difficult to get a very close shave. But for someone with irritation and problem areas, it is usually a good trade off.

Pre-shave oils under shaving cream work to help lubricate. Not a bad idea. Shaving brushes help to lift the hair from your face prior to shaving. And always shave with the direction of hair growth.

The sad thing is that it can take many months of diligence and work to clear up razor irritation/ingrown hair. Don't aggravate it with multi blade razors and treat the problem areas. You should see some results if you are diligent.

[3 Justin 3]

I still can't grow the greatest facial hair (only 21 yrs old), but I just stopped caring about a year ago. Sure, I look scruffy, but it beats the hell out of shaving every day.

I only shave every 3 weeks now, and by then the hair on my cheek is too long so I have to shave, I just did in fact. If I don't I look rather hoboish.

Sucks though because I still get zits (sort of the reason why I only shave every 3-4 weeks) so I always got to shave over them which really isn't good. Can't wait for the day I can grow proper facial hair and have no zits. I be growing the ZZ Top.

[Shasta Beast]

Originally Posted by theinfinitejar

Safety razor.

This.

New Fusions/Mach 3, 4, 5's/Schick Quattro's are all crap. Just a marketing ploy to get you to buy their expensive cartridges and give you razor burn.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Shasta Beast

This.

New Fusions/Mach 3, 4, 5's/Schick Quattro's are all crap. Just a marketing ploy to get you to buy their expensive cartridges and give you razor burn.

I'm really surprised the safety razor/brush route hasn't been mentioned more already in this thread.

Honestly the real magic is in the brush/lather I find. To the OP, go to shoppers, pick up a shave brush & a tub of this:
http://www.momentumgrooming.com/Proraso-Shave-Soap

It should run you less than $20 and you'll have a much better shave than any of the goop in a can will give you. Stick with your Mach3/fusion/quadro or whatever, but try switching up the soap/cream your using.

[TorqueDog]

My suggestion:


+

+


I personally would never go back to a multi-blade razor after using my safety razor.

[SuperMatt18]

I used to have the same issue on the side of my face but it seems to have been solved by shaving immediately after getting out of the shower, using this shaving cream http://www.momentumgrooming.com/Pror...oe-Shave-Cream (can get it at Shoppers), and the new Fusion Pro-Glide razors.

Just make sure that your face, and the razor blade are warm when you are shaving.

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

My suggestion:


+

+


I personally would never go back to a multi-blade razor after using my safety razor.

Where can one purchase a safety rasor of good quality in Calgary?

[Icon]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

^^ This stuff works great.

- I like the Fusion razor, or the Shick equivalent is pretty much the same.

Also for the gel - get one for sensitive skin, makes a huge difference I've found.

I used to get really bad razor burn all the time, haven't for ages now.

What I do:

- Only shave every 2nd day, or every 1.5days (morning, next night, day off, repeat) depending what I've got going on. Plus every so often I let it grow in for a few days to "rejuvinate"... whether or not this actually makes a difference I have no idea, but I consider it letting the skin rest a bit.

- Shave
- Shower
- Balm

If it's feeling sensitive, I throw the Balm on pre-shower, then lotion after the shower.

Working like a charm for me, knock on wood.

[mykalberta]

I dont have much of a 5 oclock shadow, it more shows up around midnight.

I use a Gilette Fusion with normal shaving cream at night before I go to bed.

In the morning after working out and showering I put on cologne and that way I have no need for aftershave.