I'm getting better and better at this single edged wonder we call a shaver, but... If I work my butt off doing demolition or anything that causes me to sweat an insane amount, my whole face feels like it's on fire! I'm not cutting myself or causing any irritation during my shave, and the whole day I feel fine... Until I sweat.. Should I just shave in the evenings? Or trying a different blade/soap? I think the only other blade that works with my Autostrop would be a modded GEM. So I don't have many options there....
Common. You're probably still applying just a tad more pressure than you realize. Usually if I'm sweating quite a bit, only my neck will burn, but, again, common. No pressure means just that, especially with an SE. Although I've never used the Autostrop, I do know my SEs are more aggressive than most of my DEs.
I find that using alum helps significantly. It prevents the bacteria that is attracted to sweat from taking root, seals up micro abrasions, and closes up the pores. If I don't use alum and I get sweaty and hot my neck turns red and welts up, if I do use alum then I am usually fine. Too much pressure can be a culprit, but the fact is that you're scraping sharp metal across your skin and purposely abrading it. Sweat and heat will cause problems with even lightly abraded skin.
You can also use both. Rub a little WH on the face, then apply and alum block and gently massage the mixture in.
Was that you that posted a shave video with an Autostrop couple days ago? If so try to not doing so many passes. If I did that many passes my face would be on fire even if I was swimming in ice water.
Yeah that was me. It was also my third time shaving. I was trying to be thorough as much as I could... Overkill.
I used to get the burning feeling when I sweat after having shaved, but the thing that really helped eliminate that, was a post shave lotion/balm. I use EMJ Sensitive Skin Post Shave Lotion. It is neither oily nor heavy. You don't need much, so it lasts a long time. Costs about $5 at most retailers. When I first started DE shaving, I used Alum post shave and it was great. However, after prolonged use, I started to breakout (zits) a little bit. I know it goes against everything I read about alum being anti-bacterial, but after I stopped using it for a few shaves, my skin cleared up again. As stated above, you can use both, alum and WH - which is also true for a PSL. Although, I would recommend that if you do try alum, that you apply it, let sit for a minute or 2 and then rinse, then apply WH or PSL. It may or may not have the same effect on you, obviously YMMV. Just another option for you to consider. Good luck and SHAVE ON!
When I was shaving with a Trac2 cart(30+ miserable years) I'd get that burn when I'd sweat...I tried shaving at night but it only helped marginally...When I went to DE/SE razors the burn went away never to return..I can shave in the morning and start cutting grass a few hours later and sweat all day long with no problem now...So I also would suggest paying more attention to technique and also seeing about using another blade..The lack of blade choice is the only downside to using a SE and AutoStrop..If the blades available don't work for you your kinda stuck..But hey there is always DE...
