Shaving help ....

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Sam

Sam

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Hi

Does anyone else have issues shaving ? I used to use a razor like a mach 3 etc but then it started to feel uncomfortable and cause a rash so then i purchased one of these - http://www.braun.com/uk/male-grooming/series-shavers/series-7.html which is supposed to be the best (and most definitely the most bloody expensive) which seemed to do the trick until recently where i get a rash after shaving again GRRRRR :mad:. Does anyone have any suggestions of perhaps a product to use before shaving or something as this is starting to really pee me off ?

Cheers
 
Have you tried both gel and foam with a normal razor and or using after shave balm?
 
Its all about preparation and patience. I used to suffer with shaving rash also know as razor burn and then on regrowth I would suffer the ingrowing hair!

Electric razors are far worse. Good products are a must!

I will try find a guide on shaving to link, but as said preparation of the skin is key. Softening the skin/hair before shaving makes a HUGE difference.

Here:

Before shaving, gently scrub your face with a loofah or facial scrub lotion. This scrub helps remove dead skin and bring out ingrown hairs and reduces razor burn rashes.

Shave after taking a shower or after washing your face in warm water. Warm water and steam help soften skin and facial hair and will open up your pores. Wait about 20 minutes after getting up before shaving, as this will allow bodily fluids that have welled in your face during the night to disperse. Also, it is good to shave after exercising rather than before so that the sweat does not irritate the freshly-shaved skin.

Use new, sharp razor blades, and be sure to discard them before they become blunt. If using an electric shaver, be sure to clean the blades regularly and to keep them free of hairs. Wet the skin and lather the entire area to be shaved with a quality shaving cream or gel. Make sure you've let the cream or gel sit on the skin for a few minutes before shaving; this will increase the softness of the facial hair and will reduce the skin irritation. It's important to use a cream or gel specifically designed for shaving, as ordinary soap will dry out skin and increase the likelihood of irritation.

ShavingShave with the grain of the hair in short, deliberate strokes. Shaving against the grain increases the odds of ingrown hairs, irritation, and inflamed skin. Long strokes often cause one to press down too hard on the skin, increasing razor contact and making razor burn more likely.

Rinse the blade after each stroke. If the razor is full of whiskers, it won’t get a close shave, and irritation will be more likely.

Rinse your blade under cold water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin goop. For a really close shave, re-moisteurise the section you just shaved, by spreading a thin layer of lather from another area of your face, and then swiping that area again. Keep everything moist

Wash your face well in cold water after you've completed shaving to remove all traces of shaving cream or foam. This helps close pores and lessen skin irritation.

Apply an alcohol, fragrance and oil free facial moisturizer or aftershave lotion to help keep the skin soft and reduce the presence of razor burn. Various skin types respond differently to the plethora of gels, lotions, ointments, balms, and aftershave treatments available. Research the different aftershave applications to find the alternative that best matches your skin type. Aloe Vera with or without a moisturizer really seems to work well for many people
 
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I use a leccy shaver, and using a few drops of King of Shaves shaving oil makes the whole thing much smoother and with less irritation.
 
To be honest Ive stopped shaving of late and trim the stubble down for a designer beard :D

However before I do wet shave completely i follow the above steps with the lotions and things that I have found to be best for my skin and my issues have been greatly minimized. Its all about patience, if you rush it you will suffer more.

Saying that everyone's skin reacts differently to certain products. Ive found with mine the more blades on the razor the more I suffer with irritation.
 
Man up.
knifeshave.jpg
 
I'm a firm believer in that shaving isn't for everyone. I tried EVERYTHING, but any sort of balde near my skin causes some sort of irritation aftwards. The best I can managed is a bear trimmer with the guard off.

It would be nice to be able to go clean shaven once in a while without having to endure weeks of ingrown hairs, rashes and spots afterwards.
 
Gillette Mach 3 are the worst you could use (IMO) even the wilkinsons sword are far better.

Musty's advice is good - but - not everyones skin can take loofah/facial scrubs - I find that (personally) it makes irritation and skin problems worse rather than better.

IMO the best way to shave if your having a problem is basically along the lines musty said - always after a warm shower - but with a couple of differences:

Try a shaving oil

Try either a feather blade/merkur DE razor or a wilkinson sword quattro

As above always shave with the grain not against it

Clean off with cold water, if you have dry skin finish up with an alcohol based aftershave (I know this might seem counter to the conventional advice) if a more oily skin use a moisturiser type aftershave.

If you have dry skin and finish up with warm water and a moisturiser you will leave the skin open to whatever crap it comes into contact with increasing irritation, spots, etc.
 
haha, i guess I am one of the really lucky ones, I use a Mach 3, with warm water, and thats it.... no gel, no foam yeah, alpha *headbutts wall randomly*
 
haha, i guess I am one of the really lucky ones, I use a Mach 3, with warm water, and thats it.... no gel, no foam yeah, alpha *headbutts wall randomly*

Yeah I used to do that because I was too lazy to faff around with gel. :D

Now, I use shaving oil instead of gel. Comes in a tiny little bottle, and you only need 3 or 4 drops for a shave.
 
I think a lot of people get rashes just because they rush and don't know how to shave. I used to get shaving rash but now just take my time and always shave immediately after a warm shower and don't have any problems. Don't assume you have to buy lots of expensive razors or oils.
 
I find that letting the stubble grow now and again works wonders

when at work I shave every other day but every 2 or 3 weeks I leave it a few days and trim with a beard trimmer/fine clippers

if this is no good then... wash face 1st, use gel and just take your time, down 1st then upwards... this even works with crappy throwaways... rinse the blade frequently and if needs be apply more gel/foam

afterwards I always use a moisturising balm and then aftershave, these help close the pores and makes ya smell luvvly (especially using hai karate or brut :D )
 
I think a lot of people get rashes just because they rush and don't know how to shave. I used to get shaving rash but now just take my time and always shave immediately after a warm shower and don't have any problems. Don't assume you have to buy lots of expensive razors or oils.

See, this I don't understand. How can you shave AFTER a shower? The mirror is steamed up by then, so it's impossible to see what you're doing.
 
I use a pre-shave balm, followed by a shaving brush with proper shaving cream, then (and this is important), an Alum block which is all topped off with a decent moisturiser.

Since following this strict regime I've had zero shaving rash and no uncomfortable regrowth.
 
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