Please help! My face is destroyed :(

ATG done wrong will NOT produce a BBS, merely irritation, weepers, and cuts.

Likewise, if you are failing in going XTG, stop that, also.

When I am using my usual razor, I go WTG, XTG, XTG and I end up with some really nice shaves. If I have achieved a great shave at that point, I might try a 4th pass, but always WTG. You don't NEED to go ATG at all in order to get an extremely close shave.

 

Welcome to TSD! Try to order a blade sampler pack as well. There are so many different blades out there you have to spend a little time looking for the right combination with your razor and skin. Also, I found a pre shave oil really helped. @Sara-s has a recipe for a home made oil that helps as well. You can find it here: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/how-to-make-your-own-pre-shave-oil.31132/

As others have said take your time. It will all come together for you.

 

Thank you for all the replies guys its amazing to get so much support from a first post! Also thanks for the long thoughtful posts, it means a lot! I'll be sure to take all your advice on board and slow things right back down to basics! I'll get myself on to the map when i can get 5 minutes at my pc and not on my phone.

 

Hi! I'll just add - hang in there, take you time, pay attention to your angle and pressure, and you'll get it

 

Welcome to TSD. You have landed in the right place with a great deal of help. The advise you have been given is all very sound and your shaves will improve if you stay with it. The main thing I have found is to not concentrate on the results but concentrate on the technique. After years of using carts it will take you time to retrain your muscle memory. If you work on the technique, you'll be surprised when things just click and your shaves are consistently good with no irritation. It took me over a month. Even now, I only truly chase a BBS on the weekends when I have the time. You'll have to learn that good enough is just that good enough. Also, get a blade sampler pack and try different blades. We are all different and what works for one on blades might not work for you. Good luck and stay with it. In the end your effort will pay off.

 

Hello George and welcome to The Shave Den!

You've already received some great advice, and I'm glad that you plan to continue with DE shaving. Over time, your shaves will improve tremendously. For example, I enjoyed a really close shave this morning with only two passes and zero irritation. I had my share of cuts and irritation when I started DE shaving, though. It took a few months for me to get the hang of it.

You're among friends, moral supporters, and fellow wet shaving enthusiasts here. Let us know if you have any questions, and keep us posted on your progress!

 

Thanks once again for all the support! Ill make sure to post with progress as time passes by

 

I'm no expert - just did my first DE shave last night - but here's my .02 anyway.

I used to use a Mach3 dry on my neck after showering. No soap, no water, etc. It wasn't perfectly smooth but I didn't really care. I was just looking to knock the stubble down. I was rocking a beard, btw. As others have said here the multi blade razors encourage bad behavior. The springloaded pivoting head and many bladed design changes the force/area so to get the same cutting effect as a single edge you must apply more force. Also, I found that I was able to go multiple strokes over the same area. With the DE shave I found that I really had to resist the urge to do multiple strokes.

With the multi blade I would go over the same spot repeatedly until it was smooth. With the DE I had to force myself to adhere to what I'd seen in videos and do a complete pass ignoring the fact that I could tell I hadn't cleared the area of whiskers. It still felt rough and draggy and I REALLY wanted to just reset and do another stroke but I knew I needed to wet my face and reapply soap to lubricate the area again. The soap I'm using is pricey (Pre de Provence No. 63) but it's super slippery and makes great foam (and the wife loves the fragrance).

I also got some red dots under my chin and on my upper lip but after my last pass a good dousing with several handfuls of COLD water really made my skin contract. I dried my face and used a styptic pencil on a few of the areas. I let it sit for a bit and then rinsed those areas again. I was good to go.

For what it's worth I have a RazoRock and I used a Gillette Silver Blue blade. It worked well for me and seemed pretty forgiving to my newbie technique. Perhaps your razor has too much blade exposure. Not to mention that Feathers are by all accounts one of the sharpest blades you can get.

Hope this helps and I hope things improve for you. Maybe you can find a buddy that also shaves and try his razor or blades out. It might be a revelation.

 

Blood and pain are our body's mechanism that tells us to stop! First and foremost stop trying for BBS every shave and going ATG since you are new to DE shaving your technique is still developing. I've been DE for over 12 years and I will only go for a BBS shave once in a while or on special occasions. Here is my recommendation;

1. stop shaving for 3-4 days (maybe more) and let your face heal!
2. when you shave again use good prep and technique and just do a single pass WTG shave.
3. rinse and finish with an ASB.

Your face will thank you for it.

 

All these posts are excellent and I won't repeat what's already been said.

What I will add though is I do believe the new "inexpensive" razor that is out now, if that's the one you have, is a very mild razor and probably why your not getting the BBS shave as fast as your hoping for and end up going for the ATG pass. Also, making sure you lather up good for each pass is important. Don't skimp on the lather.

My 2¢ would be to get a "better" razor such as the EJ DE89 or Muker 34c HD. Or a find a vintage superspeed.

Between that, finding a blade that works for you, and all the great advice already given, you'll be doing great in no time.

Don't give up just yet.

 

theHi George,
Another newby from the UK here! I've been at it about a month now, but luckily haven't had the problems to the same degree as you...

Just throwing in a few thoughts based on my limited experience.

I had lots of weepers when I first started..People talk about not using "excessive pressure" but I didn't appreciate just how light you need to apply the razor. I am using a Mulhe R89, which essentially has the same head as the EJ de89, and it seems to be heavy enough such the weight of razor alone is the only thing needed to make it cut..If your razor seems very light, I am wondering if its causing you to apply pressure to compensate?

You mention using the Niva aftershave balm..Again its the same I use. Niva also make a shaving cream for sensitive skin. I have some but have not tried it yet, but it might be worth a go considering how well the afterhave balm works. If you can't find the cream, the Niva canned shaving cream for sensitive skin is very good and something I used as a stand by when using the Mach3.

I also agree with the others about not tearing yourself up being going ATG on your neck...Remember if your not getting the results you want with a DE you can always return to a cart razor..You can still lather up and enjoy the ritual ect...If the cost of carts was a motivation for switching, try getting an older Gillette Contour razor that uses twin blade carts. The Gillette carts for this are much cheaper than the Fusion, and due to its age and popularity across the world, there are also many 3rd party carts available off the Net which are often cheaper again..

Anyway, don't give up on the DE yet, hopefully you will get everything sorted soon..

Edited to add, I highly recommend applying an Alum block to the whole of the shaved area once you have rinsed off with cold water after shaving..

I had never used an Alum block before starting with a DE and all I can say is that it was a real eye opener...It stops all those weepers and leaves the skin feeling "tight"; I wished I had known about the stuff years ago!

Regards,

Peter

 

Mike has given excellent advice.

I would make sure to keep the face hydrated throughout the shave. After every full pass, rinse well and let the water sink in.

You might want to take a look at some of the references contained in my signature line below for discussions of the 30 Day systems and more on shaving hardware and software.

With that being said ...

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

 

didnt read through all of the thread and Im sure it has already been said, but...1)pressure- I know i really struggled with this when I started and had very similar problems as you....and 2) I HIGHLY recommend instead of going down the road of picking a different razor (unless you have used one and know it works) to go the adjustable route, it may be tough to find one but you can have 9 razors in 1 and get 9 different things out of 1 blade....but YMMV and keep at it.

 

Welcome to TSD.

 

tons of great advice.
not much I can add.
but I did want to remind you that your learning a new skill. it takes time, stick with it.
I also wanted to say that I don't get the best shaves after a shower.
my optimum shave is after a warm wash with a soap designed for face wash. idk What the difference is. that's just my experience.
if you must be smoother than the de is getting you. augment your de shave with a final pass of the cart. as your technique gets better, your use if the cart will decrease.
remember
prep
hydration
no pressure
mind your angle
shaving this way is a reduction game, I.e. multiple passes.
please remember to have fun with it, don't do things to cause yourself pain.
this can and should be enjoyable.
good luck, and welcome to the den. David

 

Welcome to TSD! Lots of good stuff already...hope you are on your way to great shaves!

 

Welcome to the den - you have already been given a lot of great info. I have found it helpful not to over stretch the neck. I also don't do an against the grain on my upper lip. For my lip I do WTG a true N-S and if a third pass I do XTG. - Most of all take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the learning process. It will get better.

 

Welcome my friend! Everyone else has hit the high points so I won't elaborate any more! But I will say don't feel bad about the bad shaves right now they only get better with each new shave. I been at this for 5 years and to this day I still don't go ATG like most guys, it's just simply not for my face as was said before every face is different!

 

Your in the right place, we all started out trying to learn how to shave with a DE razor, it takes time and practice, good prep, no pressure, I used to think I was not putting pressure on the razor but I really was. Short strokes, locking my wrist out to hold the correct angle. I still learning little by little, but it is sooo enjoyable. Easy does it, I would just 2passes for a while your technic will improve. Enjoy your shave.

 

Thanks everyone, really going to pay attention to my blade pressure. My razor is very light so maybe I am just not realising just how little pressure you actually do need. I thought I was applying very little but i'm going to back off completely and just let the razor carry the blade across my face. I can't wait to practise again now - just gotta let my face heal up first.