Skin Stretching...Yes, or No?

Discussion in 'General Shaving Talk' started by Primotenore, Sep 6, 2018.

?

Do you stretch your skin whilst shaving?

  1. All the time...

    40.0%
  2. On my side burns...

    6.7%
  3. Once in a while...

    30.0%
  4. Nope...

    23.3%
  5. Can't...my other hand is holding the cookie :-)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    The closest I get to skin stretching is turning my head to the side; rolling my lip over; ballooning my cheeks, etc. Never found the need for more.
    What's your practice?
     
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  2. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Ditto.
     
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  3. wristwatchb

    wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

    I use my off-hand to stretch my skin continually throughout the shave when using either a shavette or DE. It makes a difference for me in terms of closeness and comfort.
     
  4. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    Yes. A flat, unmoving surface yields a more efficient shave. Seems a no brainier to me.
     
  5. John Beeman

    John Beeman Little chicken in hot water

    The older I get, the stretchier I get.

    But to answer the question; yes, I do some skin stretching with my free hand. Usually more on finishing passes.

    My beard tends to lay pretty flat and my face is getting flabbier so it helps to create a proper surface.
     
  6. stingraysrock

    stingraysrock PIF'd away his custom title

    Same, unless shaving with a straight, in which case I rub my free hand with an alum block and stretch all the skin except for the upper and lower lip.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2018
  7. Keithmax

    Keithmax Breeds Pet Rocks

    All the time. I use alum only finger tips to get a good grip. It made a big difference in my shaves.
     
  8. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Mostly I tip my head back, move my jaw, or make shaving faces.
     
  9. Frijolero

    Frijolero Well-Known Member

    I get by fine just using the contortions for my face. But my neck needs all the help I can give it.
     
  10. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    I was blessed with tight skin, even at 54 yrs old.
     
  11. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    That’s what Mickey Rourke says
     
  12. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Yeah, but I look better than Mickey. :bounce015:
     
  13. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    Same here, but i only have one hand that works. While I've learned how to move my head into different positions to gently stretch or flatten patches of skin to make them flatten out. I know hold my breath or puffing up my cheeks works, but rarely use it.
    On a side note, if an area is problematic. As in the spot under my jawline on my right side. I'll close my eyes and concentrate on the feel of the blade. With a straight I'll touch down with a knuckle, then bring the blade into contact with skin. It's actually a bit harder with a de. I'll usually keep eyes open until blade is on skin.
    But stretching can be very useful to make a flat surface to shave.
    I think sixgun said that if your searching for the bbs, stretching may be counter initiative. By stretching, you actually change the angle of the follicle. When you release, the follicle pokes back out. So you can stretch, but the best you'll get is an ok result.
     
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  14. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    Show off...;)
     
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  15. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    That's not too difficult. :p
     
  16. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    Interesting. If I were to stretch the skin on my neck, I would never get it shaved smoothly, because the darn hairs grow almost parallel to my skin!
     
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  17. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Mickey looked better than Mickey.
    Tempus Fugit. Morietur puer, bona relinquere cadaver.
    Mickey-Rourke-Plastic-Surgery.jpg
     
  18. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    Skin stretching is definitely recommended in this case.
     
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  19. Lancre

    Lancre Well-Known Member

    Skin still tight at age 69. I never needed any "adjustments" on my face.
    As for my neck, all I do is tip my head back like I'm a Pez dispenser.
     
  20. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    I don't buy "my skin is tight" as a reason not to use two hands and stretch. My skin is tight. But unless you shave with two hands your tight skin still isn't held as firmly in place as it is when stretched and the shave therefore not as efficient. Whether you "need" that additional efficiency is your own call.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2018
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