The purpose of this post is to ask for some advice. I'll give a brief history of my experience with shaving in hopes it will procure the best responses. Thanks in advance! I'm a 44 year old mixed caucasian male (Italian/Spanish/German heritage) with medium brown curly hair. Most of my facial hair (whiskers) have turned white, as has my chest hair (but not the hair on my head). I started shaving when I was about 15 years old and always had a problem with ingrown hairs/razor bumps, etc that led to infections, crusty skin and just a host of shaving problems over the years. While I could sometimes shave and initially it would feel ok, it was rare that it felt or looked good hours later or days later, as I would see razor bumps forming, sometimes a few, sometimes in patches (picture below, though it got much worse than that; this is the only pic I have). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RS-s3KEFCplJnjhQKhCe8ZxDaT1Oecm2/view?usp=share_link Over the years, I have tried: single, double and triple blade disposables, foil and rotary electric shavers, depilatories, straight razors and about eight different double edge safety razors with a variety of blades. While the latter combination seemed to be the best, I still had the same outcome. The patches of bubbling, scabbing infections around my mouth and chin only seemed to get worse and worse. Sometimes I would just notice that while whiskers above my lip and on my cheeks were growing back, I couldn't see any whiskers coming in below my lips on both sides and I could feel trouble brewing below the surface. Sometimes the whole area would crust over and be infected with pus underneath. I was taking antibiotics orally and applying topically. To have to shave again was almost unbearable, and it took weeks to heal, just to start all over again. It got to the point that I decided to stop shaving about 3.5 years ago, since which time I have maintained a beard (picture below), which is what dermatologists and skin estheticians have recommended for me to do for many years now. While I was happy to find out I can have a very nice looking beard that is filled in and well-shaped, I've never really wanted or had a beard before, though I grew accustomed to it (though I dyed it since a lot of it is white, especially on the cheeks). Still, I prefer to be clean shaven. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l7grB6zEhePgLoOVAyPxFrHDcRNketuq/view?usp=share_link A couple of days ago I decided to give shaving another go for a few reasons. For one, I now live in a different environment (near Cancun, Mexico) and didn't know if that would have any effect since places I previously lived (the 'foothills' of South Carolina; Panajachel and Antigua, Guatemala) were different in elevation, humidity, etc. Also, maybe there are some advances in products in the last few years that I haven't tried. Mostly though, I think I can try to be more methodical and careful in my approach to shaving. I somewhat did this when I started wet shaving with DE razors (age 35-40), but perhaps I could give attention to pre-shave and post-shave practices that will help. I don't know if it is the products, attention to cleanliness of equipment, process or whatever - but I am hoping to get some good advice here. Currently I have a Vikings Blade "The Chieftain" DE razor, a good variety of blades, Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Shave Soap and GoodFellas After Shave Moisturizing Balm. I don't have any pre-shave product, but was considering the Proraso Refreshing Eucalyptus and Menthol Pre Shave Cream. I invite and greatly appreciate any advice you can give (products, routines, best practices, etc), especially if you have had a similar issue and had success overcoming it.
Welcome. Have you considered that you may be sensitive to the eucalyptus or something in that particular cream, and so tried something more neutral?
I've never tried it before; I just purchased it based on recommendations (but haven't used it yet). I actually am going to return it though, because I just found out about the Proraso Sensitive line of products and have ordered a shave soap in that line.
Welcome. Could be any number of things: Allergic to soap/cream, brush material, razor or blade material, aftershave Scrubbing to hard with the brush Too much pressure with the razor Face doesn't agree with the blade brand Too aggressive razor Too rough with your prep - over scrubbing and/or exfoliating Hang in there. You'll find what works for ya!
Welcome to the Shave Den! In addition to the good advice you've already received, you might consider... - Starting with one-pass WTG shaves to minimize potential for irritation. You can always add more passes and shave in different directions later, as you find out what your skin will tolerate. - Maintaining a steady blade angle with the skin surface. Some folks say it is 30 degrees. Others say to "ride the cap" of the razor. When my blade angle is right, I feel no hair pulling or skin scraping. - Stretching your skin with your non-shaving hand to flatten the skin surface. - Extending the time between shaves if your situation affords it. My shaves tend to be better after 36-48 hours of growth. - Using a healing balm afterward. I get good results using a very small amount of Grade A unrefined shea butter. It can be quite greasy, so I use a tissue to dab off any excess. I'm glad you've giving traditional shaving another try. Stick with it, and I bet you'll find a workable solution.
Shaving WTG, "With The Grain" (Google it if you're not sure) and only do one pass is probably the best advice I've seen here. I don't have curly hair, but if I shave ATG "Against The Grain" I get those nasty bumps. I do other things to get a nice shave, but what is stated above is the biggest help to me. tp
Solid advice already offered above. All sound. Here’s my .o2. Try using only cold water. Tap obviously, not ice. Use the lightest touch imaginable. Let the blade do the work. I like to think of my hand and grip as an extension of the tool. In tandem, my arm, wrist, hand and fingers work with the razor and blade to apply gentle pressure as necessary while supporting and guiding the razor. Stick with one setup for a while. Get to know your gear. When you do begin to experiment with other hardware and software, change only one variable at a time so you can note specific differences in products. Perhaps consider looking into other software options. Try a quality unscented soap. There are many options available to you. Don’t try to stretch your blade to too many shaves. When shaving your problem areas only shave with the grain. In order to fully do that, spend some time getting to know how your beard grows. Beard mapping really helps to guide your eventual muscle memory as you shave different sections of your face and neck. I just did a quick image search and found this Perhaps your beard will map like this… Everyone is a little different. As your technique develops you’ll be able to start shaving across the grain more confidently. I’d venture to say that many shavers have difficult areas around the mouth and under the nose. Lower neck, too. Shaving against the grain in those places is known as the fool’s pass. Explanation not required. Try a high quality alum (you get what you pay for) after a cold water rinse. Let it dry, then rinse with cold water. Gently pat dry. Maybe avoid alcohol based aftershaves. Try a high quality witch hazel. Personally, I wouldn’t use a balm or any scented product for a while until things clear up. If you must use a moisturizing product get your hands on some pure organic, unrefined Shea butter and use it very sparingly. Just a half-pea sized bit and rub your hands together until it melts, then massage it gently on your face. It’s really great stuff when used judiciously. Good luck!
Take it slow and simple. What it looks like is you could possibly be using too much pressure, and possibly not using a good aftershave. Only do one pass for the first week, to get your face acclimated to this type of shaving. Also, get a good aftershave, to disinfect your skin after the shave. Pinaud Clubman is good. But first, avoid your chin area, until it heals. It should only take a few days.
@chazt gives good advice, but his key word is "try". I've tried cold water shaves - hate 'em. Too much tug makes for an uncomfortable shave. Some folks swear by 'em. I've tried Alum blocks - hate those, too. They make my face all red like a bad sunburn. Again, to quote chazt, "try". Your face has the answer for what will or won't work, we don't.
I would consult your dermatologist again. Also, have you tried applying benzoyl peroxide to your problem face areas before bed?
the razor you bought, is not exactly a great razor. its a more aggressive version of the one weishi sells for every one else. TO be honest,, i have similar issues. very thin skin, very thick and hard to cut facial hair. and it grows in too many directions to really map. best bet is to find a good schick injector. and good injector blades. Second best is to get a GEM and be happy. Those are the only things that can cut against the grain and NOT leave horrible skin damage, or ingrown hairs. i have a white plastic handle one considered on the MILD side of things. baili or weishi tto razor, the one sold under the baili label or for vander hagen. I just tried two months ago the vander hagen merkur adjustable knockoff razor.. that thing was poorly made and very aggresive. on 1 it was as agressive as my fatboy on 9. gillette techs will most likely be your friend. and the fatboy, and the super adjustable.. But you are going to have to get better soap, i dont remember that proraso being a great lather making formula, not as good as teh red i used. stirling unscented should be your friend for soap.
All good advice from your post. Just to add to this, I would get so irritated at the beginning that I would apply Vicks VapoRub post shave.
The only thing I can add is to try a product called tend skin if you can get it. It's a sort of aftershave lotion (liquid) designed to minimize ingrown hairs, rashes, etc. I find it quite effective but be cautious if you have an aspirin allergy.
The only thing I can add is to consider using unscented products. It's one less variable to be concerned with.
