Why do I generally get better shaves when I let my beard grow out longer?

I consistently get better shaves with four days of beard growth then I do with one day of beard growth. I use a Feather AC DX with the Super Professional blades. Any idea why this is?

 

Maybe skin is healed and ready for the shave? I noticed my shave is better with growth than shavin daily when using de razors. I don't use straights so I'm not sure if they relate.

 

I've noticed the same thing. Although I don't normally get to 4 days, I'll get 2 or 3. And the shave always seems better, closer...

 

It feels like when I shave after one day, I am more likely to knick the skin and get irritation when going against the grain, than I am when I wait 3 or 4 days. However, after waiting 3 or 4 days, it just glides...

 

Same here. There are certain parts of my skin where it feels as if the pores are enlarged or skin is roughed up a bit. But definitely notice that with 2 days of growth I get a cleaner closer shave. I just can't wait that long in between shaves. I'm addicted to shaving.

 

If you're not using a pre-shave, either an oil or a cream, I'd recommend trying it. Sometimes it's the deciding factor for whether a razor gives me irritation or not

 

After last night, I'm going to have to skip a day...I got pretty bloodied last night. I'll see how two days' growth goes with one of my Contracts and a new Gillette Platinum.

 

+1 for pre shave oil.

 

Probably the fact that you/we/I aren't debriding our faces when we take a day off helps. I am generally not irritated or anything from shaving every day, but especially in the winter when it is so dry, my favoritest bestest shave are after a day off. I just love shaving too much to skip any days for no reason.

 

I think there is something to this. I normally shave 3 to 4 times a week. When I have to do daily shaves for work, I get a lot more irritation, and the whiskers seem to start coming back at around 3pm. When I go two days, I don't notice whiskers coming back until about 7pm. That said, I don't have super course facial hair except on my chin, and my skin is easily irritated. Also, shave oil doesn't help when I have to shave daily, and I really haven't seen a benefit to using it since switching to straights.

 

Funny, I hear the Twilight Zone music...

 

I too get a better shave if I wait two full days before shaving. However, I can easily go four days without shaving since I'm retired and my whiskers are a light gray. :>)

 

I used to skip shaving on Sundays just for that reason. But with better technique (more passes, less pressure) I've found my face holds up just fine to shaving daily.

 

I noticed the same thing. I shave every day but when I can shave after 30 hours versus 24 hours I get a better shave.

 

I remember this discussion coming up back in 2007 or so, almost to a man when we did the test shaves it came up that the better shaves were after a skip day or two..

There was no consensus as to the reason

Seems it is a SR mystery I guess the question is do DE shavers experience the same thing ???

 

I have, on the RARE occasion that I've skipped a day.

 

I have found it to be true whether I use a straight or DE. It is my consulation prize for skipping a day.

 

This is a big part of why I don't shave every day.

 

And I enjoy shaving too much to skip a day.

Just how I enjoy it!!

 

I work at a refinery, and have to shave every day, at least since I got into supervision. I have to be the example and all that. I used to shave 2 - 3 days a week, and could get away with it. Now, when I go out to the field, the operators and maintenance hands definitely look for reasons to ride me a bit, so I learned quickly to shave every day(mostly). Wet shaving was a big help in this.