Shaving... ouch.

Kegser

I decided I'd post here in the hope of someone having a miracle potion for helping me shave...

The problem would appear to stem from the fact the follicles on my neck especially seem to point the hair along the the horizontal as opposed to the vertical... if I shave along with the growth of hair it leaves a few mm of stubble.

The problem has gotten progessively worse as I grow older, five or six years ago it wasn't a huge issue because the hair wasn't thick enough to cause a real problem but in the last three or four years especially the follicles just seem to be growing in on themselves more.

If I want a close shave I HAVE to shave against the growth of hair; and because of the way the follicles grow if I shave against the growth of hair it brings me out in a terrible rash, and causes ingrown hairs.

I've tried numerous razors and shavers.. the electric ones tear the face off me. At the moment I use the Mach 3 as it seems to give me the most control.

I've also tried loads of different shaving creams and ointments and moisturisers and all sorts; nothing seems to help much.

At the moment I use Clarins for men stuff which is very pricey but it seems to be the best of a bad bunch. In order for it to be effective I have to have a shower and wash with the fash wash, then apply the shaving oil and then the shaving foam.

I have to shave my face in three parts because it takes so long if I lathered my whole face the foam and oil would have dried up before i reach certain areas. So I shave my left cheek and left side of neck followed by upper lip, chin and adams apple and then right side of neck.

All of this takes half an hour at least, which is an incredible pain in the tits every day. And even still I don't get a close shave especially around the adams apple and the neck either side.

I then use an after-shave moisturiser afterwards which although helps with the pain doesn't help with the rash.

So my question is this; I know some people have problems shaving but does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on how to help? Anyone know of any creams to encourage more regular follicle growth? Is there anyone in the same boat as myself?

Gordon

Gosh, that sounds annoying. This thread here may be able to help you - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59527 although you seem to have done most of the advice that has been given.

Ever thought of growing a beard, seriously?

bombidol

I remember reading somewhere that they make a shaving foam for black men that is supposed to be great for thick growth.
thats all i can offer to be honest,

Corega

Grow a beard

patrickmooney

Have you tired that Philishave thingy. It's a wet electric shaver. You use it in the shower along with Nivea balm. I'm thinking on investing in one but it's pricey at over €150.

DeVore

I'd try to get used to electric razors, they are the win!

I have stubble that grows in all sorts of weird directions and after a few months of using a (DECENT!) electric razor I find it doesnt cause a rash any more (*and* its faster in the morning!)

You need to know how to shave with one though... its not just a case of rubbing it on your mush! The better the electric razor the less rubbing you have to do at all and the less of a rash you'll have to begin with...

DeV.

Runfree

I just use mach 3 and gilette shaving cream works da bomb for me.

DeVore is making a valid point if you use an electric razor it should be fine just be carefull that u dont eletrocute yourself.

OSiriS

I used to shave with an electric razor for a good six years, took ages to make the switch but havin Dev's stubble cloggin the thing was a good incentive;P Though it was rteally because I forgot the thing when I went on holiday so was forced to start wet shavin and oh what a difference=]

Anyway to get back on topic, I tend to have a similar problem to Kegser, there is a clump of hairs in my neck that takes ages to shave off because they grow horizontally. A real pain, generally its a case of shaving in every direction until I find one that gets them. They seem to be clever buggers though, they never grow in the same direction twice;)

Runfree

Maybe if you pull each hair out induvidualy it might help. you have to pull the whole hair out including the root. very painfull though.

ouch!!!

Samba

Did you try this kegser http://www.totalshavingsolution.nu/products.asp ?

Otherwise, now dont laugh! just try it once and see how it goes, use the Womens Gillette Shaving foam, much smoother on the skin and it gives me a closer shave and I rarely ever get a rash from it, im in the exact same boat as yourself and found that to be the best using a mach 3.

Kegser

I've tried the beard thing, it doesn't suit me at all. The only other option is to use the shaver I do my head with, but that leaves me with untidy looking stubble. And anyway I prefer being clean shaven, and my job requires some amount of respectability that apparantly dodgy stubble doesn't bring.

Does anyone recommend any of the electric razors? I have seen a few ads for some multi-adjustable ones and that Nivea cool shave one...

And any creams for the actual shaving rash?

bugler

I suffer from this ailment too, though not as severely. Because I'm a scruffy student, I decided to cut back to shaving the heavily stubbled areas (basically the area below my jawline, but also the locks) once a week, using nivea balm both before and after shaving. The results are reasonable, but I'd fear I'd be in the same boat as Kegser if I tried shaving daily or even every second day.

So all thats left to be asked is have you tried asking a doctor/dermatologist about this? It is a medical condition rather than an irritating nuisance. That and why don't you ever come into #hiv anymore!

The_Bullman

I am using the philishave quatro, and it is brilliant when used everyday or every few days depending on growth rates. My problem is that i sometimes dont bother using it everyday and it clogs up and is a bitch to clean, because the hairs are so long, though you shouldn't have that trouble if you use it daily.

bugler

And I must say I hated the mach-3, and blame it partially for making my face as red as a baboons arse. Its slaloms too much, and it has too many blades. Switched to the sensor excel a while back, works better for me.

The_Bullman

the last time i was in hosptital one of the orderlies(or whatever you call them) was shaving someone in the bed next to me and he was saying that he disliked the mack3 as it caused more irritation to the skin.

CCCP^

I must be a lucky son of a. I dont have any problems shaving. Maybe telling you how I shave will help?

Well, first I wash my face/take a shower. Then afterwards, I lather up using Shaving Gel(Gillette)then, with my Razor(which is a Mach 3)which I have pre-heated by pouring hot water over it for ages, I begin shaving. Actual shaving pattern doesnt matter that much.

Growth is pretty quick, i have a full "9 0 clock" shadow by day 3.

Perhaps electrolysis would help? Look into it.

Chada

Well, i wuld recommend a rusted bloody knife 4 shaving, then it gives u that very sexy harrison ford(tm) stubble, which is imho very sexy
nah in all honesty, just make sure u use warm water/steam to open ure pores b4 u shave as this will make it easier, tbh.

lordsippa

Just got a Philishave yokey. Haven't used electric shaver before so it hurts like hell <i've got all soft skin>. Any advice on how to ease that until my skin gets used to it?

Amon

Well using an electric shaver regularly can alters the growth of the follicles, so that would probably be the best course of action imo. Also, wash ur face with Nivea exfoliating face scub before shaving.

Shinji

Ah, similar problem here. I've settled on using a Mach3 with relatively bog-standard shaving foam (Gilette sensitive skin stuff, although in general I don't actually have particularly sensitive skin), rinsing with ice cold water and then applying a very vitamin E rich gel called "K-GL", under the "King of Shaves" brand.

Only vaguely odd thing I do which has made a difference in a big way is using a shaving brush. For years I used to just slap on shaving foam; then someone suggested using a shaving brush to agitate the foam and the hairs properly before shaving, which actually makes a vast amount of difference both to how easy it is to shave and to how much irritation is caused. I think it must just lift the hairs properly off the skin or something.

That said; I still get a rash around my neck just at the adams apple level, but not half as bad as it used to be. My final, ultimate solution to this may not be open to you, depending on your job; I only shave once every few days (my beard grows fast enough that it looks decent from the outset rather than like scruffy bumfluff) which gives the rash time to settle down rather than exacerbating it every single morning.

maxheadroom

Try this - I use their anti-razor burn stuff and its great (got it as a present from a duty free shop in spain, I think..). The site is a little confusing though...


http://www.biothermhomme.com/welcome_homme.html

Placebo

I shave upwards (oppistie direction to the usual way) because shaving the normal way doesnt get me ne where .

Wash u r face with some soap or whatever and then shave .
I recommend u take the shower after u shave , since i some times bleed after shaving and after taking the shower it stops .

Kegser

The one thing I haven't tried is a shaving brush; I must give that a shot. Ta Rob.

My facial hair grows extremely fast, but the growth is not that thick although it is even. The hair on and around my adams apple grows substantially faster than everywhere else.

I must say though that the Gilette Sensitive shaving gel is probably the best stuff out there that i've found for comfort during shaving although the irritation is still there afterwards.

I would go to a dermatologist but €100 for a consultation and a six month waiting list is not on, so I won't bother.

Samba

Otherwise you could try your local Chinese Medical Centre to see if they have anything which could help.

KdjaCL

hmmm looking in the wrong place for creams etc:

use womens PH5.5 stuff or dove i mean use it as the lather and then shave.

I get same thing and the above works everytime.
I use my wifes face exfoliating crap as lather then shave with Mk3 razors and no rash sometimes it burns so use Nivea after shave lotion but apply it while your face is wet and let it dry in a bit before drying (brush your teeth to waste time).


tho i need a new razor as my face is getting bonier and i cant shave my cheekbone very well.

kdjac

dazberry

Originally posted by Samba
Did you try this kegser http://www.totalshavingsolution.nu/products.asp ?

Have to agree with Samba. I couldn't shave more than twice a week without getting a rash. That didn't really matter too much for a while, but about a year ago I started getting a rash if I didn't shave (in a couple of spots) and a rash if I did (in different spots).

I'd seen the silly ad for total shaving solution and from the site got a sample. Seemed to work for me pretty well so I'm just about finishing my first purchased bottle now (~5 yoyos) and although I still wouldn't call shaving a joy, its a hell of a lot better than it was - seldom get the neck rash.

I suppose the test for me was after a few weeks using it I had two meetings over two days and I really needed to shave for both. Worked a threat. Prior I would have been in ribbons!

D.

Placebo

I remember i was at a skin doctor 2 years back and he had rash after shaving on his neck so he said he was using isotrex cream or something.

Number6

I had a savage reaction to shaving before i worked out my routine right. Now i get a close shave, with less effort.

My routine:
Have a shower.
Put razor into hot water.
Put a drop of Total Shaving Solution into a bowl.
Add Foam (Lynx Smooth)
Agitage with badger hair brush.
Let bowl float in hot water.
Brush mixture on face.
Shave against the hairs.
Rub 1 drop of Total Shaving Solution into skin.

Getting your stubble nice and soft from the shower is essential for the close shave

Mutz

Originally posted by Number6
I had a savage reaction to shaving before i worked out my routine right. Now i get a close shave, with less effort.

My routine:
Have a shower.
Put razor into hot water.
Put a drop of Total Shaving Solution into a bowl.
Add Foam (Lynx Smooth)
Agitage with badger hair brush.
Let bowl float in hot water.
Brush mixture on face.
Shave against the hairs.
Rub 1 drop of Total Shaving Solution into skin.

Getting your stubble nice and soft from the shower is essential for the close shave

Jeez, how long does that take.. hehe

I got a mach 3 and some nivia shaving gear for xmas and they made a majot diference. I was using the sensor excel razor and that really skins ya face

Also started shaving more regularly to try to get my face used to shaving... ouch indeed!

Number6

Originally posted by Mutz
Jeez, how long does that take.. hehe

Quicker then you'd think really. 'Bouth 20 mins

Placebo

Shave against the hairs.

do u mean shaving upwards ?

Kali

Clarins have some absolutely brilliant shaving products, got a giftset of theirs for christmas, and the shaving gel is easily the nicest, smoothest I've ever used (out of the usual suspects.. lynx/gillette/nivea/simple), and with the others I'd generally have to use some sort of cream/moisturiser afterwards.. not the case with this and it still feels good at the end of the day or the next morning (if I shaved before heading out).. definitely reccomended anyway.

So impressed ive been looking for it in the shops for the past week, to find out where to get it in future

Number6

Originally posted by Placebo
do u mean shaving upwards ?

Yeah

Rolo Tomasi

if you have the time put a towel soaked in hot water on your face, as hot as you can stand for a few minutes.

also its a bit trickey, dangerous if you ask me, but my brother uses a cut-throat razor and he swears by it.

deezoid

Suffer ams prob also. Don't know how to help on the actual shaving side of things, but I swear bay a light application of sudocreme to the red areas after a shave. Not only dooes it sooth, moisturise and bring the rash down it also hides the redness considerably!

Yavvy

Hot Towles baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Seriously, Boil some warter, make your self soem coffee if you like
but soak 2 face cloths for 5 mins, the put them on you face for noless than 3 mins...

Use a Mach 3 and sensitive skin ( or total shaving solution oil)
and shave lightly and quickly...reapply the warm towel and shave again with just foam....should work a treat

and apply E-45 or netrogena to your face afterwards
they are intense (non stingy ) mositurisers

but i think that still may take about 20 mins in total
(least you have some coffee too !)

Mr_Roger_Bongos

i shave with my machete in cold water each morning. That will soon toughen ur face up

Slutmonkey57b

Shaving against the direction of growth will give better results over the short term but will lead to ingrowing hairs and related problems which will leave you with effectivly unshaveable skin.

Don't go to a dermatologist - go to a decent barbers' (Grafton Barber is v. good) and get a proper hot towel shave. They'll know what they're doing and will be able to give you better advice on what's going wrong.

LegacyUser

"Shaving against the direction of growth will give better results over the short term but will lead to ingrowing hairs and related problems which will leave you with effectivly unshaveable skin.""


Hmmmmm , too late . But when i use to shave properly i was never getting a closer shave so i was forced to shave this way .

MrBigglesworth

I've got a realllyy quick grow back rate too and shaving is a chore, but since I've got one of those Philishave Wetshave electric thingy, its been okay, I only shave once a week now and gives a close enough one to last me the week in work.

I agree though shaving around the adam's apple area is a painful experience to shave but I just run VERY hot water over the heads of the electric shaver and it dulls the pain a lot.

cheers.

Calibos

I've got a realllyy quick grow back rate too and shaving is a chore, but since I've got one of those Philishave Wetshave electric thingy, its been okay, I only shave once a week now and gives a close enough one to last me the week in work.

Contradiction or wha???? If one shave, even a wet one lasts the whole week in work then you certainly do not have a quick grow back rate mate:D ..............unless of course you were talking about shaving the pubic region.....you are female.....and your occupation is as a lapdancer:D If thats the case then your last post makes perfect sense!