Need New Electric Razor Please help me choose :)

I am about to turn 64 and with that age comes thinning skin and other features. I presently use either a Norelco Rotary or a Braun Series 5 electric shaver. I used Williams Lectric pre-Shave followed by Old Spice after shave.

Starting several months ago, I began experiencing itchy skin, redness, etc on my neck, redness around on the sides of my mouth and under my chin/jawline. I have tried eliminating both pre and after shave and using a Nivea shaving gel with the electrics, but not much improvement. Got a good shave, but with the accompanying irritation mentioned above. I recently tried a Gillette Fusion (four blade), but it seems to require a lot of effort to get a decent shave; especially if I try not shaving against the grain. This morning, I tried Williams Shaving Soap, but it did not lather very well and seemed to dry out on my face. I have abandoned anything with alcohol; using a Nivea for Men hand/face lotion after shaving which seems to at least reduce the itching.

Any thoughts/ideas would be welcomed. I would especially like to hear from older folks who may have experienced the same thing.

Thank you,
Bob

 

You should really avoid items that can be too aggressive.

1. Electric Razors - I used them for years. All types. Either they could not get close enough or with the Panasonic Wet/Dry caused a rash when shaving wet.

2. Cartridges of More than 2 blades - For all their hype here is the bottom line, the first blade will always contact your face first and that blade will become dull. Regardless of how many blades you have behind it, the first one will become dull first and will eventually cause irritation. That is simple physics no matter what the major marketers tell you.

3. Canned Shaving Cream or Gels contain chemicals that will leach water fro your system. Hydration is the best method of lubricating your face when you shave and Canned products do not really provide this. They try to use substitutes but there is nothing like the real thing.

You should try the following:

1. A single blade razor if possible. A good Double Edge razor is a solid starting point. One blade that can be disposed of quickly when it dulls so that you keep a good sharp blade at all time. This will reduce the level of irritation caused by pulling and tugging.

2. If a DE is not your style find a good 2 blade cartridge such as a Trac II or Atra. The razor handles and cartridges are available on E-Bay and Amazon. Replacement cartridges are inexpensive compared to Multiblade units and are available at Walmart and Dollar General.

3. Get a good soap and brush. Whether you face lather or use a mug, creating lather with water is essential for great shaves. You can look in the soap and brush sections of this forum for more information.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/forums/shave-soaps.34/

http://theshaveden.com/forums/forums/the-brush.26/

4. Preparation. Shave after your shower if possible to allow your face to have as much water saturation as possible.

5. Technique. Here is the key. Go to find some good instruction videos on the subject. Mark (Mantic59) is one of the very best and I recommend watching his videos.
Here is the first set of videos you should watch to improve technique.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DB6D82F52BA7608

Now here is my take on technique if you choose the DE approach. Here is the advice I received when I started with a DE and so I freely give it to new users. The most important things in shaving are, your skin and technique. All other things fall in line behind those two things and to support them. Since the skin is a given fixed item, the next major item is technique. It is called THE 30 DAY RULE.

THE 30 DAY RULE is as follows: Find a razor, then a blade that will not cause issues with your skin (that may take a few different blades in a sampler pack to find a suitable choice or it maybe the first out of the gate) and select a soap or cream that is easy to generate good lather. Once you find those, and it may take a couple of weeks to find this combination, order a quantity of that blade enough for 30 days, and then spend 30 days using nothing else until you build up your technique. (Note that only one brand blade is used for 30 days after each blade in the sampler pack is tested to make the decision on the blade brand to use for 30 days.) The 30 day clock starts when you have the right blade for you.

After 30 days, change one and only one variable and work for another week then change another after another week. At that point you should be able to make better decisions because your technique is now in place.

This will help you to avoid buying too much gear and stuff too soon without having the technique down to enjoy it all.

This really does work.

6. Skin Care. Find a good set of products that avoid alcohol. There are many balms and creams available to do a good job of restoring the skin. We have an Preshave and Aftershave section in the forum.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/forums/preshave-and-aftershave.38/

I know this is a lot of information, but the reality is, everyone must find out what works best for them. We provide information so that you can determine what would be best for you. Good fortune with your search and one more thing ...


Welcome to the Den.

We know you'll fit right in.

So grab yourself a comfy chair,

and give our threads a spin!

Burma Shave

 

Ya Bob I've got some of those added features too..comes with the high millage package..I'm now down to the one wet blade, a soft brush and a glycerin base for soap. Am happy to say the job is getting done..and even better than when I didn't have as many features. Gary's advice here is sound as a dollar and I second the recommends. So try it..you'll like it and welcome to TSD!..

 

@ GD Thank you all the information. I have started wading though it. In the meantime, I am putting the electric away and seeing what I can do with a cartridge and the Nivea gel. One of the things I learned from the videos you referenced was to not go for the perfect close shave the first couple of weeks or so, so perhaps my face will do some healing. I am researching soaps/creams in the meantime. My wife informs me that I have a DE razor coming as part of my birthday present; think it is a Merkur of some sort. She pays particular attention near my birthday and Christmas to anything I talk about and then off to the store or Amazon she goes. I am a lucky man.

@ Joe Your post gives me hope. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

..and do stay connected..we know much about shaving and we'll talk you through...

 

Will do.

 

If your going to use any sort of electric shaver, the Panasonic is the one to get. I have used various electric shavers over the years to give a quick once over (polish) during the day. Panasonic is better than the Philips and the Braun. NONE of them beats wet shaving though.