Electric razors that don't cause irritation

Mr Joshua · 2 Apr 2015 at 05:34

I might be in the market for an electric razor but I've only had one experience using one of them over ten years ago and it really irritated my skin.

I'm not looking for a really close shave, just about a day or two after a wet shave would be good with me. I'd rather not have to resort to using the type which uses the little bags of lotion if possible.

So what say yee ocuk?

Kronos · 2 Apr 2015 at 05:59

Chances are that any electric shaver will irritate your skin. I had to buy one for when I uderwent radiation treatment as the mask you wear has to precisely fit in pretty much the exact position every day and a slight facial growth can throw this out. And as you skin will probably be too sensitive for a razor blade tge an electric shaver is recommended.
Like you my only experience many years earlier led to irritation and I did not want to spend big bucks on something I would only use for a few months I bought a cheapo and still get the irritation though not as bad as I thought in fact I am still using it.

I doubt whether a shaver manufacturer can guarantee a shaver does not irritate so maybe pot luck. Though those that use them regularly might be able to offer advice on whether there are shavers that are less prone.

DanH84 · 2 Apr 2015 at 06:09

if not looking for a really close shave then possibly a stubble trimmer wet to closest setting?

Werewolf · 2 Apr 2015 at 06:57

I found one of the more recent Phillips shavers works fine for me, I had tried a few different models in the past (Braun etc), but found the last two Phillips ones have worked a treat, the current one I've got is an RQ1180 which I think uses the same head/blade* as a bunch of their current ones (so whilst the model is probably not in production the head is still used on a bunch of models).
I paid about £60 for it in a sale, as they're often reduced from £150+ to around £50-75 for good models, especially just after Christmas and Fathers day for some reason

IIRC it took a week or two for me to get used to it, but it's less irritation than I used to get wet shaving now.

*The RQ11/50 series I think, I replaced the head last year (it lasted 3 years of use, which made it a lot cheaper than the razor blades I had been using

).

scorza · 2 Apr 2015 at 07:42

Phillips electric shavers are one of the few things that don't irritate my skin.

mrk · 2 Apr 2015 at 08:02

Mr Joshua said:
I might be in the market for an electric razor but I've only had one experience using one of them over ten years ago and it really irritated my skin.

I'm not looking for a really close shave, just about a day or two after a wet shave would be good with me. I'd rather not have to resort to using the type which uses the little bags of lotion if possible.

So what say yee ocuk?

I've had 3 electric ones over the past 3 years. The first was a lower model Braun, that thing started off great but quickly started to irritate my chin and I could feel the blades getting weaker as the months went on. I guess this is what you can expect from "cheap" ones like this, even if it was £50!

The 2nd one was a Panasonic 5 blade affair. It was a bit dearer and was actually really excellent. Minimal irritation and a clean shave that left a smooth blade like finish. It didn't come with any cleaning station though, only a small bottle of blade lube that you dab onto the mesh and leave be. The blade unit costs £30 and several months down the line I found irritation returning as the blade weakened, even after lubing up.

I then upgraded to the Braun Series 7 745 Pulsonic Pro. This comes with a cleaning station and has various modes for skin sensitivity. Even on the highest mode I find zero irritation, I also only gently need to glide it around my face to get a cleaner shave than the others. I don't use the cleaning dock every day, only every other day so each refill lasts a few months at least, though they are cheap on Amazon. The dock charges it too while cleaning so by the time the battery is low (it will easily last weeks to be fair), it's overdue a clean anyway so 2 birds, 1 stone etc.

I bought it in August last year and it still shaves like it did on week 1.

I can highly recommend the 7 series. It's not cheap, but you get a quality shaver that gives great results and if you're time limited in the mornings like me, or travel around often, then this is an important factor to consider.

hawker1986 · 2 Apr 2015 at 08:24

One more vote for Philips, Im on my second one and have just ordered a fresh set of blades. Never caused me any irritation. As Werewolf said often heavily reduced in the sale and that's when Id look to get one.

Hawker

mikeh501 · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:35

braun 9 series! had a 7 for many years which was faultless but the 9 is even better.

pepp77 · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:37

I recently moved from Philips to Braun and have to say for me it is much better.

I went for the 3-390cc-4 model as I managed to get it greatly reduced in a sale.

Terminal_Boy · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:39

Real men use a belt sander when they want an electric shave.

Draeger · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:44

Recommended!!

I recently bought a Philips AT796 CareTouch rotary to replace an old Philips HS8420 Nivea which lunched its blades. Replacement blades for the old 8420 were going to run to about £70 so I picked this up in a sale at a well known high street catalogue shop. Very pleased so far, gives a much closer shave than I expected when used dry and gives a shave not far off that of a wet shave if you use it 'wet' with gel or creme applied. Really handy for those times when you just want a quick tidy up without having the luxury of time to prepare your face and enjoy a 'proper' wet shave with a blade. No irritation so far and I'm usually fairly prone to it.

djxput · 2 Apr 2015 at 09:51

hawker1986 said:
One more vote for Philips, Im on my second one and have just ordered a fresh set of blades. Never caused me any irritation. As Werewolf said often heavily reduced in the sale and that's when Id look to get one.

Hawker

Ive used philiphs for years they call them norelco in the states - actually used them since I was 17 and am 43 so thats quite awhile. They last quite awhile too; my old one lasted 6 or 7 years only replaced blades 1-2 times and this one is going on hmmm is it 3 years ...

Only problem you dont get the closest shave with em. Heard those micro screens do a better job but IMO they look wierd. Razor obviously gives the closest but you often get cut

[FnG]magnolia · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:00

Mr Joshua said:
I might be in the market for an electric razor but I've only had one experience using one of them over ten years ago and it really irritated my skin.

I'm not looking for a really close shave, just about a day or two after a wet shave would be good with me. I'd rather not have to resort to using the type which uses the little bags of lotion if possible.

So what say yee ocuk?

There's probably some background required on this one because you appear to be wet shaving but then not shaving and only needing a tide-you-over shave till <insert thing or event> that cannot be acommodated by the wet shave you did.

Help us out?

jetpaczx · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:05

I use this http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/HS8460_25/nivea-nivea-for-men-shaver

With the moisturiser it gives you a nice shave not as close as a wet but still good for daily use as dry shaving irritates me no end

James J · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:43

scorza said:
Phillips electric shavers are one of the few things that don't irritate my skin.

Same, used them for years with absolutely no issues

Draeger · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:50

Another thing worth keeping in mind is that if you have been primarily wet shaving for the most part and suddenly swap over to using an electric shaver it takes a while for your facial hair to get accustomed to being shaved with an electric one. Therefore the first couple of shaves may not give you the results you would expect. But after a week or two of using a leccy shaver your facial hair becomes used to it and your shaves eventually begin to get closer. Interspeeding these electric shaves with a nice wet shave doesn't necessarily mean you are 'back to square one' again though.

This can sometimes be why folk purchase elctric razors after years of wet shaving, eagerly rush home to try it and are instantly disappointed with the result. Give it time and you will notice a difference.

DR_Pingu · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:55

Werewolf said:
I found one of the more recent Phillips shavers works fine for me, I had tried a few different models in the past (Braun etc), but found the last two Phillips ones have worked a treat, the current one I've got is an RQ1180 which I think uses the same head/blade* as a bunch of their current ones (so whilst the model is probably not in production the head is still used on a bunch of models).
I paid about £60 for it in a sale, as they're often reduced from £150+ to around £50-75 for good models, especially just after Christmas and Fathers day for some reason

IIRC it took a week or two for me to get used to it, but it's less irritation than I used to get wet shaving now.

*The RQ11/50 series I think, I replaced the head last year (it lasted 3 years of use, which made it a lot cheaper than the razor blades I had been using).

Speaking of Braun... shocking brand. I'd never buy anything of theirs again.

kitkat9933 · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:55

I use a phillips one as I find wet shaving irritates my skin and causes spots.

Mr Joshua · 2 Apr 2015 at 17:55

Cheers for the replies, I'm definitely looking into the Phillips range. As with the above poster, I get a few spots a day or so after a wet shave too.

Arsonist · 2 Apr 2015 at 18:00

You could always grow a beard? My skin used to get seriously irritated after shaving, to the point that redness would turn into a rash which would turn into mega spots. Was rather painful, but also gave me the complexion of a well coated pepperoni pizza. I decided to stop shaving except for the neck line and tiyding up with clippers, now my skin looks like a baby's bum (no, not covered in poop.)
Anyway, just my 2 cents!