Shaving Sensitive Skin

Anonymous™ said:
Gentlemen,

It is I again hoping to borrow some of your pearls of wisdom! Basically, I've found that when I shave, irregardless of how I do it, my skin breaks out and I get bumps.

How do you guys avoid them? What products do you recommend to keep them under control?

I've tried almost everything I can think of - as soon as I start growing back again; a few bumps are guaranteed.

Razor Blades (going with the grain) - bumps.
Electric Shaver (bumps though significantly less).

I've forgotten the after-shaves I've tried but that list includes even menthylated spirits!

What would you guys recommend I use/do to avoid the bastards?
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1) Use Prep Shaving Gel (best there is), leave on for about a minute to soften the skin/beard before shaving.
2) Open the hot water, and heat up your blade, this really works well, think of it as a hot knive cutting through butter.
3) If your blade is older than 2 months consider replacing the blade, I get bumps from a blunt blade.
 
Nuro said:
I have started using hair clippers only. It's not a close shave, but very short, and my skin has never been happier.
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+1

I didn't have any problem shaving in school but I can't shave with a razor these days any more. I read that the skin must just get used to shaving. I tried that for two weeks and it looked like I had full blown acne. Three weeks later (after having stopped shaving) I was back to normal.

I'm looking into maybe getting a foil shaver because apparently they are good for sensitive skin, but those things are a little bit too expensive just to "buy to try" and see if it works for me though :(
 
Shaving, I believe, is sadly one of those things that have become more of a chore and routine than anything else for me, for good reason. I mean, no one has the time to really put effort into it, and this is why dry shavers and so-called "safety razors" are so popular.

That being said, the best favor you can do your face is to give it a proper, well-groomed shave every now and then. Not a lot of people enjoy or appreciate it, but I take a straight razor (ye old cut throat) to my face at least twice a month. It is a 45 minute ritual, but well worth the effort.

On lazy days, though, I use one of these in the shower when I have warm water running over my face and the steam helps to soften things up:

http://www.philips.co.za/c/versatile-products/366290/cat/

If you go the conventional route, I suggest making sure your face is well prepared, i.e. washed, and you had a bit of steam on it to open the pores and soften the whiskers. Make sure the blade is always sharp. This will reduce the number of times you need to go over the same patch of skin, thus reducing irritation. Make sure you understand the grain of your beard.

If at all possible, let it grow out for a couple of days and see what the direction is of the hair. You might be surprised. Always shave along the grain for the first pass, and then cross for the second. Going against the grain will always have the highest likelihood of irritation.
 
I'm over 40 and have not been able to shave since army days.
I get extremely bad ingrown hairs.
Best I could get was to use the Old Spice cup shaving cream with a brush and a blade, but nobody have the time for that.
Even electric does not work.
Now I am on the hair clippers. Do not get a smooth finnish, but at leat I do not look like a bad attack of acnee on a teenager anymore.
 
As has been mentioned: Hair clippers work wonders, very rough shave but its better than having bumps everywhere. Cut throat's also work really well. Maybe try going to a barber so that they can show you how to use one properly.
 
When young, I used to suffer from ingrown hairs. I only use Prep (traditional foam). I also suggest a new blade every week and after every stroke rinse and with the grain slowly. Water to be as hot as you can take it to wet face and to shave with. Wash face with cold water straight after shaving.
 
spiff said:
going to pull a Lazarus on this thread.

anyone else battling to find PREP shaving cream?
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Use gel or even better proper shaving soap. I switched to a old fashioned double edged razor, my face is loving it!
 
Why not try the Prep Cream in the tub. Been using it for years.
 
I cant believe this hasn't been mentioned (or maybe this only works for me) but I use baby oil to shave. Best thing EVA.
 
Dove soap with a shaving brush works well for me
 
kaaskop said:
Clean the blade well for next use. A blade last me more than a month.
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Jirre boet. I throw them out every week & think that might be too long.

And I don't buy the whole titanium advertising story either. Even surgical steel loses its edge ridiculously fast:

needle18.jpg
 
Stop shaving.

Use a beard trimmer without blade instead.

Have that 5 o clock shadow permanently.
 
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