I have very sensitive skin on my face. Does anyone know the best razor to use to decrease irritation and bleeding? Thanks
Well what have you tried? Usually more mild razors can help with this. But so can different blades. And better technique.
Im not sure about a specific razor, I would just say really mind the pressure and find a soap that is very slick and protective.
Thanks for the reply. I currently use Gillette Fusion Proglide. I shave against the grain to get it as smooth as possible. But it hurts a lot and there is irritation.
There really is no answer to your question because there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of combinations of blades, razors, soaps and creams available. Every one has their favorite razors that they consider the "best" but that doesn't do you any good because only you can find what is right for you.
Thanks for the reply. I usually have to put more pressure on the blade because that's the only way to get all the hair off. I have very dense facial hair.
This is a problem that you could get rid of by using single blade razor. This is a journey that is long and have a long learning curve =P but it will pay off in the long run =D
I recommend that you try out a DE razor and ditch the Fusion proglide. I've not had any irritation, ingrown hairs or whatnot since I went old school. Cheap - Gillette Tech and grocery store branded Personna blades.
You should work your way to that. Beard reduction 2 passes. with the grain and across the grain and THEN against the grain. Some people do across the grain both directions =)
Aha! Multi Bladed Monstrosities. I'd suggest getting an old Gillette Tech and give that a try with a blade sampler. As for soaps and creams, I'm a big fan of Arko and it lathers pretty easy. Kiss My Face Moisture Shave is great. Technique is a big part of reducing irritation. Use no pressure and let the weight of the razor do all the work. I'm sure others with more experience will weigh in with recommendations momentarily. Welcome to the Den!
I agree, reduce then finish. Sounds like you are a bit aggressive in ATG is you first pass. Light or no pressure, like Tom said hundreds of causes. as has been mentioned I would lose the Fusion. I truly believe in the shave with what you want as far as blade or razor, just use good products and technique. However, I used a fusion just to see and.....well it was like eating bad cooking. At least drop back to an Atra or Trac II. This may be a good go to move into DE if that is the case. as Troy said a Tech would be very good and also a Knack. either of those are mild even with an aggressive blade at least for me. Good luck
Think about it for a sec - for every single pass you make with a five-bladed cartridge it is like making five passes with a DE (Double Edge safety razor). Make two passes with that Fusion and you're up to the equivalent of 10 passes. Most folks here who use a DE, SE (single edge) or str8 razor only make 2-3 passes. Back when I used carts, going against the grain ALWAYS resulted in irritation. Now using a safety razor, I make three passes: 1 WTG, 1 XTG and 1 ATG. Result = darn near Baby Bottom Smooth every time with ZERO irritation.
First, you may not be able to comfortably shave against the grain. Ever. I can't do it consistently. I save it for special occasions. I have probably only gotten an irritation-free ATG shave twice in my life. That being said, doing it with a safety razor seems to be much more comfortable for me than it ever was with a cartridge. I'm pretty sure the reason is exactly what you've already said. When you have thick hair, you really have to press down on those cartridges to get them to shave properly. Pressure = Irritation. With the right DE or SE safety razor and proper technique, you don't need the pressure any more. As far as which safety razor would be best, I second some of the comments above. You'll need to try a few. I would definitely recommend you start with something mild, like the vintage Tech, and then branch out from there. I have really coarse hair and really sensitive skin, and I have surprisingly found that the more aggressive razors actually work better for me. They require less pressure and fewer passes to get the same results, ending up with a much more comfortable experience for my sensitive skin.
Have you ever attempted to soften your facial hair before shaving? I have very dense facial hair and hair conditioner seems to really help with my shaves and causes less to no irritation.
