How Much Stubble Is Required To Shave?

Okay, let me try to clarify this question. I certainly don't poll other men about their beard growth, but I think my beard grows a lot slower than most. Right now, I really only need to shave every other day, because there is just not enough growth to require daily shaving. On the other hand, the whiskers that are present are akin to what I have after an ATG reduction pass, but it is still uncomfortable to shave. So, what's the deal? In concept, I should be able to shave on a daily basis, but the reality is quite different.

 

I have very fine hair and it is not especially thick (except for on the lip and chin), but I still feel I need to shave each day as I think it is noticeable when I skip a day.

 

I dont have time to shave on a daily basis any more but I used to. If I wanted to I could shave once in the morning and have enough growth to shave again before going out and partying for the night. Its all genetics.

 

Of course, I look forward to shaving in the morning!!!

 

My hair grows back quickly enough that I can shave twice a day, but I discovered an anomaly this morning. I had a really close shave the previous day and decided to shave this morning anyway although I was tempted to leave it and run off to work.

And being clever as I often am, I said to myself, "Self, why don't you take advantage of yesterday's wonderfully close shave. You don't need to shave with the grain today, your whiskers have only regrown to an against the grain whisker-height!"

So I proceeded to shave across the grain and then against the grain and boy did my face pay. Even now it still feels rough - the aftershave was biting in several places all over my face.

I don't know why it happened, but it did. :signs002

Next time I'll either skip the shave or go lightly with the grain

Also, I use a straight. I have no idea if that makes any difference in this situation than if you use a double edged razor which seems to be the common weapon of choice on this forum

 

Maybe your close shave from the day before took off more skin than usual, but not enough to really cause irritation and today just over did it. Next time you get a shave thats so close you dont need to shave the next day, shave how you normally would the next day. If you get the same irritation as you did this morning, it could just be that.

 

I think the Shirley's err.. Monkey's problem is not so much with beard growth as it is with the enormous collection that he has established and like all kids with new toys wants to play with them all.

If you don't have enough growth for a shave everyday, take the blade out. The Placebo effect may be beneficial.

 

git rid of the S-N ATG (or WTG) passes and see if your beard is thicker after a day.

If I try for BBS everyday I can skip a day as well.....and my face feels beat up after 2 or 3 of those shaves.

 

I shave daily and rarely aim for BBS. Like others, BBS shaves feel nice at first but take a lot out of my face.

As for stubble, I have a sandpaper-face by the end of the day. I could probably shave twice if I wanted to. It's very noticeable if I skip a day. Even if I get BBS, I still need to shave the next day. The problem is that I have sensitive skin so I'm almost guaranteed to have some irritation the day after a BBS shave.

 

Blue_monkey... You should shave as often as you feel you need and forget what others do. Everyone has their own unique situation... how fast and unevenly our hair grows is the individual cross we each must bear. Some need/desire to shave twice a day, some every day, some every other day, and some even less frequently. If you're not getting as close a shave as you like, or you're experiencing irritation from shaving, then that's a different matter and is something we can possible help you resolve.

FWIW I generally shave every other day unless there is some special reason to not have a 5 o'clock shadow the 2nd day. Like NoobShaver, I seldom aim for BBS (unless there's a special circumstance that makes it desirable.) I use a str8 except when I'm traveling, then the DE takes over. The str8 gives me a closer single pass shave than the DE, but that's likely my technique more than an indictment of the razor type. YMMV

 

Well, based on these responses, I guess I'm really no different than anybody else. I do go for BBS when I shave (just doesn't feel right if I don't), and even though there is a little bit of stubble the next day, my face just needs that extra recovery day. Perhaps I could shave daily if I was only doing a couple of WTG passes, but that just doesn't seem like a real shave to me. Anyway, I am quite content to stick with my current regimen of a BBS shave every other day. Thanks for the help, guys!

BTW, you're absolutely right about playing with the toys, Wedge. I can now shave every other day for over 3 months without repeating a razor. RAD is great!

 

Rick, I spent months wondering what I was doing wrong. WTG, ATG. XTG, whatever. I don't have a very heavy beard, but I like to keep it smooth. I shaved every day and all too often, I had a red face to show for it.

Then, I tried a straight. I was so worried about cutting myself, I learned to apply virtually no downward pressure on my face. I gave up on straights after a couple of months because I didn't have the time and was getting very tired of a final pass with a DE or M3. But...

The pressure lesson carried over to DEs and I swear I haven't a single bad shave since I stepped away from the straight (3-4 months ago, maybe?). Doesn't even matter what angle I use! Or what soap or blade. Oh, Feathers are hazardous the first couple of shaves and I do NOT get along with Superspeeds, but otherwise, makes no difference. Nowadays, I'm even shaving 100% ATG.

Not saying you should try a straight, but do try shorter strokes and zero pressure.



OTOH, maybe it's because I use the SAME RAZOR EVERY DAY. :happy102 Which, btw, is a Super Adjustable, set on 9.

:eatdrink047

 

That's my secret to a great shave. Good prep, followed by short, extremely light strokes. No irritation, no cuts, no stubble

 

Prep? Mine is a warm-to-hot (depending on the weather) washcloth for about 10 seconds...less if I'm in a hurry.

Really.

 

Michael, do you have fairy hair?
If that was my beard prep, I'd be in the emergency room every morning for the rest of my life

Don't confuse envy with jealousy, one is malicious, the other is admirable)

 

+1 on all points, Michael. I firmly believe that no other aspect of shaving is as important as technique. Interesting that you mention shorter strokes, because, although I do use a pretty short stroke, I tightened it up even more today and got a fantastic shave. And as much as I hate to agree with you (we do have such amusing verbal spars), I don't care for regular Super Speeds either (the Red Tip is a different story).


But, 10 seconds with a washcloth for prep?!! My face would not tolerate that one bit!

 

Well, I don't know what fairy hair is, but I don't think so. On the other hand, I certainly don't have a thick, coarse beard. At least I use a washcloth. I recall my dad just splashing a little water on his face. Sometimes he didn't use soap, and when he did, it was just bath soap. Slick is slick. Probably got used to it in WWII. I think they had trouble getting their hands on GFT products. (or water, or razor blades, or soap or or or...)

Tomorrow, maybe that will be my next experiment. A water-only shave. If that goes well, I'll try it dry.

Look at all the money I'll save! :happy102

 

And time. You can just scrape away while you're driving to work! :happy102

 

Hurts, don't it? :happy102

I probably over-estimated. More likely half that. Whether I'm in a hurry or not. And I'm not jerkin' you guys around, that really is it.

 

I have. Though for that, I use an M3...a bit safer.