Shaving sucks

Dirk_Diggler

I regularly change my blade etc but I always seem to get this sort of rash on parts of my face after a shave. Sometimes it feels like it's burning up and it's pretty annoying.

I use after shave balm and all that but nothing works.


Tips?

MagicMarker

Stop shaving.

chin_grin

MagicMarker wrote: »

Stop shaving.

I did and it worked fine for me, now my friends call me names like 'chewbacca' and 'the shoe bomber' (and other names from Knocked Up! )

But I've got eczema, it kills to shave. Best product I found was this

http://www.totalshave.com/catalog/

Might be wise (and ok not really 'alpha-male-ey') to use moisturiser afterwards?

Moisturiser after I shave because it gets very red tbh.

Dirk_Diggler

I use that too Myth but it ain't helping.

zeusnero

In my experience the razor itself plays a massive part - Before I started using the Gillette Mach 3 I always had problems after shaving but that blade is magical. I don't see the point in any of the upgrades, the perfect razor has been made

Also, make sure you soften your bristles before the shave - Loads of hot water and soap...

If that doesn't help, have you considered an electric shaver??

Jip

Yip, the razor and gel/cream you use plays a big part. Get the mix right and you'll be fine afterwars without any pain or rash.

christeb

Get a face cloth in hot water and apply to face before shaving - this will help with softening up the hairs and should make the process easier.

Either that or shave immediately after using the sauna steam-roomer, same effect.

djkeogh

Never really had too much trouble shaving but I stayed in a hotel there awhile back which had a mirror in the shower. Decided to have a shave while showering and it was the easiest quickest shave ever due to the steam and hot water etc.

Ruu_Old

Mach 3 all the way, beats that pants off anything else. *glares at dusty Fusion in the corner*

seamus

Use an electric razor and try to leave more time between shaves.

My face can barely take an electric razor. If I try to shave more than once every three days or so, my neck will just crumble and bleed. I used to wet shave, but that was twenty times worse, I'd be bleeding everywhere.

If I find myself getting overly hairy but it's too soon between shaves, I can buy another day or two by using the beard trimmer.

Honey-ec

Ok, so it's not my face I'm shaving, but I just have to add my kudos to the Mach 3 - best razor ever.

Don't understand why so many women pay over the (already expensive) odds for the Venus - it's a Mach 3 in a pink disguise.

shrapnel222

use this, it's just brilliant! you just wet it and then pass it across your face after having shaved. it stops all spots, redness, bleeding... i got some years ago in Morocco, and has always been used in africa, asia, etc as an antiperspirant and after shave, but it's become very popular and is now starting to be sold in Europe. I don't know what it's called in English, i think Alun rock. Anyway here's one place that sells it

http://www.sephora.fr/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1869&rule=active&shouldPaginate=true

seamus

Honey-ec wrote: »

Don't understand why so many women pay over the (already expensive) odds for the Venus - it's a Mach 3 in a pink disguise.

.

Pythia

You can get a cream from your doctor to stop the shaving rash. I think the medical name is foliculitis. I think it stops the ingrown hairs which cause the spots/rash.

axer

Improving your shaving technique could help here. Less pressure on the razor whilst shaving should reduce razor burn and softening the hair before shaving should also help.

Firstly soften the hair with hot/warm water (best to shave after a hot shower). This damages the hair making it easier to shave off. Also if you can, put conditioner on the hair as that also damages hair letting water in and softening the hair. What I do is put conditioner on my beard area near the start of my shower and leave it there until near the end when I rinse it off. Then I shave (out of the shower).

Shave in the direction of hair growth the first time then if you want it closer you can shave across the direction of hair growth and against the direction on a third pass if you really want to. Use cold water to close the pores afterwards.

If you need to see which way the hair is growing then you can use a cottom ball by gently gliding it over the hair - when it glides smoothly it means you are travelling in the direction of hair growth.

I use a DE (double edged) razor (I use Merkur Slant Bar razor [not for a DE razor beginner] with Feather razor blades) which I find helps against razor burn *when* you know how to use it because it cuts through the hair without any drag since it is so sharp and has only one edge. Takes a little practice at first. Tis worth it now though.

3+ blades are too many against the skin in one go. 2 should be the maximum say some dermatologists.

allybhoy

OP I have the same problem. But what works for me is to get a really hot wet towel and hold it on your neck and face for about 30seconds before I shave, then I use this stuff from King of Shaves called hybrid shave oil,its not like the total shaving oil. Anyways I rub that on leave it for a further 30 seconds then I apply shaving cream, I use ROC sensitive skin shaving foam, leave it for a further minute, then use a really hot razor. I dont use Mach3's or Quattro's just the normal Bic's.

Jack Sheehan

shrapnel222 wrote: »

use this, it's just brilliant! you just wet it and then pass it across your face after having shaved. it stops all spots, redness, bleeding... i got some years ago in Morocco, and has always been used in africa, asia, etc as an antiperspirant and after shave, but it's become very popular and is now starting to be sold in Europe. I don't know what it's called in English, i think Alun rock. Anyway here's one place that sells it

http://www.sephora.fr/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1869&rule=active&shouldPaginate=true

It is sold here as PitRok, a natural deodorant that I use instead of those nasty spray on jobs. It's real name is Ammonium Alum and it's just a type of salt. You can buy it in one of the shops on wicklow street.

axer

shrapnel222 wrote: »

use this, it's just brilliant! you just wet it and then pass it across your face after having shaved. it stops all spots, redness, bleeding... i got some years ago in Morocco, and has always been used in africa, asia, etc as an antiperspirant and after shave, but it's become very popular and is now starting to be sold in Europe. I don't know what it's called in English, i think Alun rock. Anyway here's one place that sells it

http://www.sephora.fr/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1869&rule=active&shouldPaginate=true

Alum blocks are very commonly used when using a DE razor for closing nicks and cuts. Styptic pencils are pretty much the same thing.

PrivateEye

Hard to get a good shave, jeeesus. I end up missing bits quite often, or suffering to them annoying little cuts. axers post above is full of wise advice. I've learned not to rush the morning shave, it's not worth it!

yhwh

Get yourself a straight razor, learn how to use it properly and razor burn and bumps will be a thing of the past. Dovo solingen can't be beat

cono121

djkeogh wrote: »

Never really had too much trouble shaving but I stayed in a hotel there awhile back which had a mirror in the shower. Decided to have a shave while showering and it was the easiest quickest shave ever due to the steam and hot water etc.

I do that too....lol
Its also quicker!

il gatto

I think one pass is enough. You don't need it so smooth that you feel no roughness when you rub your against the grain. Well imo anyway.
I use a double edged razor (Merkur Futur or Progress) with different blades (Derby, Merkur, Gillette). I never really had a problem with razor burn, but I rarely if ever get it nowadays.
Soak your face with a hot facecloth or sponge. Get a good shaving cream or soap (there's loads. I use Proraso, Vulfix, Arko and Palmolive at the moment) and apply with a wet shaving brush. Badger hair is the best, but a boar bristle one is a good alternative if you don't want to spend too much at first. The moisture content in the lather is much more than in canned stuff.
Shave with the grain. Do not go against it unless you want to do a second pass. When you're finished, wipe off excess lather and splash your face repeatedly with cold water. This seals up the pores and minimises redness. If you've nicked yourself, use the alum block (rub it around while your face is still wet) to seal them up. Proraso also do an astringent gel which cauterises the cut and seals over it.
Then use an alcohol based aftershave (burns like hell at first but reduces razorburn and disinfects the skin) or something along the lines of Nivea's or Gillette's aftershave balm. Company's like D.R. Harris do some excellent ones. Best of all though, imo, is Proraso Pre-Post (Pre e Dopo Barba). It's a thick cream and feels greasy, but soaks in after a few minutes. It's got mentol and eucalyptus in it and makes your skin all tingly and cold. Great stuff.

pookie82

I'm a girl so can't comment on face shaving, but in terms of leg/underarm shaving, I used to have the exact same prob, until I realised that it's the moisturising BEFORE the shaving that actually counts!!! Make sure you moisturise a few mins before you slather on plenty of shave gel to soften the skin adn hair. Don't be afraid to girly it up on the luxury products for this. Make sure to moisturise immediately afterwards as well and the hot towel is always a good idea too.

DenMan

Buy a proper beard trimmer OP. When you want to shave go right down to near the very last setting, then run the trimmer through your beard. It will make a huge difference and may help to toughen up your skin. I have sensitive skin and don't particularly like shaving either. Hope it works out for you.