Red marks on my neck when I shave - Safety Razor

Deedsie

Hi, I started shaving with safety razor about three weeks ago. I keep getting awful red blotchy spots just under my jaw down to my neck. They are bright red and the cover about 2 inches of my neck. Does anyone else have the same problem? I had a similar problem with my old Mach 3, but it was never as pronounced.

I usually have a shower before I shave and I wash my face with Nivea deep face wash. I then dry my face and apply the avacado shaving cream and away I go with the safety razor.

Any suggestions why I'm getting these horrible marks would be appreciated.

Dord

Are you shaving with the grain of the hair?

I'd get the same problem if I shave across the grain on the first pass.

Gran Hermano

What razor and blades are you using? Is it an adjustable razor? How many shaves per blade?

I'd avoid drying the face before applying the cream. Showering before each shave should help The neck is more sensitive I find so particular attention to technique. Lather well between each razor pass.

Genghiz Cohen

We follow our great leader Mantic59.
We follow his instruction and he rewards us with delicious shaves.
All hail his glory and collection of fine brushes.
Hail!

Michael G

Pressing down on the razor? I had that problem at the start and put it down to an allergy to the soap I was using (and, as a result, I threw out some lovely Trumper's stuff ). But as I learned to use a feather-light stroke (just let the blade skate over the skin) it went away. However there are still areas lower-down my throat where I shave only once a week or so because they are very sensitive. (I do not have a heavy growth and went grey long ago, so it doesn't show.)

Deedsie

I have been more careful with that part of my neck in the last week. A vast improvement but the marks are still there. Not as red though. When you say shave with the grain, the hair grows quite strange on my neck. It's hard to follow the grain. Has anyone else had the same problem?

Dord

Deedsie wrote: »

I have been more careful with that part of my neck in the last week. A vast improvement but the marks are still there. Not as red though. When you say shave with the grain, the hair grows quite strange on my neck. It's hard to follow the grain. Has anyone else had the same problem?

That's the same with most people. A good idea is to make a "roadmap" of your facial hair direction. You can refer to it while shaving and after a while you'll get used to what way you need to shave.

Here's a quick one that I did for my own face.



As you can see on my neck the direction of the hair changes dramatically. If I went in there blindly and shaved across it my neck would be raw.

Here's the site I used - http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/

Deedsie

That's a great link, thanks. I have got into the habit of shaving every three or four days. Could this be contributing to the red marks? Should I shave every day? Do the majority here shave every day?

Dord

Deedsie wrote: »

That's a great link, thanks. I have got into the habit of shaving every three or four days. Could this be contributing to the red marks? Should I shave every day? Do the majority here shave every day?

I'd normally shave every 2-3 days. I should probably shave daily conisdering the rate of growth but from experience it's just not worth it. My face feels pretty bad if I shave daily.

Taltos

OP I too used to get this - but switched to that oil that came out years ago - small bottle - use 3 to 5 drops and it works wonders. Provided my blade is clean and I follow basic guidelines blotchiness is gone...

Would suggest you use a good moisturiser though afterwards also to stop the burn.

Loved the guide above - deadly.

Deedsie

Success, no blotches, no nicks, only a very slight redness on my neck. Lovely shave tonight. Much better than I ever got with a Mach 3. Thanks for the tips lads.

What oil is that Taltos?

Genghiz Cohen

Total Shaving Solution I imagine.