I too suffer from in-growns. One thing that I think helps me is using an alum block post shave. I let it sit for about 1-2 minutes then rinse it off. Then after my face drys a bit I apply an AS wax. Background: I stopped using Alum about 2-3 months into DE shaving. After listening too the HTGAM podcast with Joe from Italian Barber which he talked about alum a lot, I decided to give it another try. Been doing well since then. Still get maybe 1 a month. The closer the shave for me the more chance of a in-grown. I only go WTG, I never get a BBS. I've gotten a BBS from a barber. Was good for about 1/2 a day, then had about a week of terrible irritation as the hair grew back. That's my experience. Been DE shaving for over 1 year now. Hope something in here helps.
I to approve of an Alum block, I have used it since I have started wet shaving. It helps clean out cuts and pore's and leave's the skin very nice after a cold water rinse. As everyone stated do a witch hazel splash after the shave. One thing I found that works great for me is to let the products set/dry on my face before moving onto another. I know a lot of people don't have time for this but it works good for me as I only shave two to three times a week. You may also think about cutting down how many days you shave until your skin is comfortable with moving up a day.
I can say first-hand ATG always gives me Razor Bumps and Burn. I have perfected my technique for my neck. I never go ATG on my neck but a Cross between WTG and XTG then I J-Hook. I also cold shave and shave every other day and have noticed that Creams Containing Aloe really help. As a pre-shave I use Shea Moisture - Black African Soap. I also use Witch Hazel on a cotton round after , then use a balm. As always though. We are all different and what works for me might not work for you. In the case you do get Razor Bumps rub a little Witch Hazel over it a few times a day, It is an astringent like Alum but I have never used Alum, simply because I can pick up Witch Hazel locally. I prefer Dickinsons. They make 2 btw, the Blue Label (T.N.Dickinsons) which has a very medicinal smell and the Yellow Label (Dickinsons) .
