new user from northern ireland!
new user from northern ireland!
Hi all,
new to the world of 'real' shaving but not to wet shaves.
I've always had problems with my neck area - very prone to shaver burn/rash.
Electric shavers actually really damage it! So i've been wet shaving for about the last 15 years!
I have used gilette mach 3 mostly and have moved onto the 5 blade monster for regular shaving the last few years.
The technique which has worked best for me (even though my hair grows in funny directions!) was shave down my face and up my chin. - Basically with the grain on my cheeks to chin and against the grain from my neck to chin.
I never really got the closest of shaves, and even though I had been using a badger brush, I was using normal foams in a can.
I decided I really wanted to get the hang of real shaving and progressed onto DE - I have started off with a simple Parker, and get used to it before buying something like a Merkur or something along those lines.
So last week, I ordered my Parker, new badger brush and proper shaving creams....BUT, and here's the big but.... I thought it would be a good idea to give meself a close shave with the Gillette fusion before my DE came.
I watched all the videos on youtube of how to build proper lather etc. and how to shave only taking a bit off each time as opposed to shaving to the skin from the start.
So with my trusty fusion, i lathered and shaved all with the grain first. Rinsed off, lathered up and shaved R-L, rinsed, lathered up, and shaved L-R, rinsed, lathered up, and then finally shaved ATG.
nice, and reasonably close, but later that day my neck was destroyed - lot of razor burn and rash.
Got my DE a couple of days later, and started shaving, and so far only really going with the grain, as my skin doesn't seem ready to go ATG yet, but my neck is still destroyed - would I be better to go back to the fusion for a few days / week to try and get my neck cleared up, or should I persevere with DE and hope it gets better.
The difference though is unreal - and apart from my neck being so bad I am really loving the wet shave.
But how long before my skin gets used to be able to go ATG on my lower neck as i really want an ultra smooth shave!
Thanks in advance guys,
Regards,
Ross
new to the world of 'real' shaving but not to wet shaves.
I've always had problems with my neck area - very prone to shaver burn/rash.
Electric shavers actually really damage it! So i've been wet shaving for about the last 15 years!
I have used gilette mach 3 mostly and have moved onto the 5 blade monster for regular shaving the last few years.
The technique which has worked best for me (even though my hair grows in funny directions!) was shave down my face and up my chin. - Basically with the grain on my cheeks to chin and against the grain from my neck to chin.
I never really got the closest of shaves, and even though I had been using a badger brush, I was using normal foams in a can.
I decided I really wanted to get the hang of real shaving and progressed onto DE - I have started off with a simple Parker, and get used to it before buying something like a Merkur or something along those lines.
So last week, I ordered my Parker, new badger brush and proper shaving creams....BUT, and here's the big but.... I thought it would be a good idea to give meself a close shave with the Gillette fusion before my DE came.
I watched all the videos on youtube of how to build proper lather etc. and how to shave only taking a bit off each time as opposed to shaving to the skin from the start.
So with my trusty fusion, i lathered and shaved all with the grain first. Rinsed off, lathered up and shaved R-L, rinsed, lathered up, and shaved L-R, rinsed, lathered up, and then finally shaved ATG.
nice, and reasonably close, but later that day my neck was destroyed - lot of razor burn and rash.
Got my DE a couple of days later, and started shaving, and so far only really going with the grain, as my skin doesn't seem ready to go ATG yet, but my neck is still destroyed - would I be better to go back to the fusion for a few days / week to try and get my neck cleared up, or should I persevere with DE and hope it gets better.
The difference though is unreal - and apart from my neck being so bad I am really loving the wet shave.
But how long before my skin gets used to be able to go ATG on my lower neck as i really want an ultra smooth shave!
Thanks in advance guys,
Regards,
Ross
Ouch!
Hi Ross,
At least for the first month, forget the idea off BBS shaves and going against the grain. The first thing you need to do is nail your technique, and you need to concentrate on:
Preparation - Make sure that beard is wet, soft and well lathered.
Pressure - Don't use any. Let the weight of the razor do the work.
Angle - The angle of the blade against the skin is VERY important and needs to maintained around the contours of your face. Too steep, and you'll end up with razor burn.
Patience - Give yourself plenty of time to shave.
Get a basic kit together and use only that for at least the first month, and only shave with the grain for this period. Experimenting with different razors, blades and so on can wait for a while.
I've been using a DE for just over 6 months now, and still rarelt go ATG.
Most of all, enjoy it!
Ian
Hi Ross,
At least for the first month, forget the idea off BBS shaves and going against the grain. The first thing you need to do is nail your technique, and you need to concentrate on:
Preparation - Make sure that beard is wet, soft and well lathered.
Pressure - Don't use any. Let the weight of the razor do the work.
Angle - The angle of the blade against the skin is VERY important and needs to maintained around the contours of your face. Too steep, and you'll end up with razor burn.
Patience - Give yourself plenty of time to shave.
Get a basic kit together and use only that for at least the first month, and only shave with the grain for this period. Experimenting with different razors, blades and so on can wait for a while.
I've been using a DE for just over 6 months now, and still rarelt go ATG.
Most of all, enjoy it!
Ian
Those who design "Fool Proof" systems often underestimate the ability of fools.
thanks very much mate...
as you can probably see, I have strange pattern growth under my chin(s!) - the hair in the 'triangle' is very coarse! Many times I have plucked out curled up start of ingrown hairs from it!
i'll keep going with the DE and only shave one way - i'll not even worry about horizontal styles until I can get the razor burn cleared up.
as you can probably see, I have strange pattern growth under my chin(s!) - the hair in the 'triangle' is very coarse! Many times I have plucked out curled up start of ingrown hairs from it!
i'll keep going with the DE and only shave one way - i'll not even worry about horizontal styles until I can get the razor burn cleared up.
- desertbadger
- Posts: 4192
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:42 pm
- Location: Southern CA desert
First off, welcome to SMF, good people here and you've come to the right place.
Those are nasty looking devils on your neck. I've never had that type of problem so hopefully other members that have personal experience with the ingrowns and irritation will chime in here.
Other than the good advice that Ian gave you, I do know that there are creams on the market that are directed at such problems as yours; other members have tried them with reported good results.
For right now just be patient, don't give up, and have a couple of Guiness.
Best,
David
Those are nasty looking devils on your neck. I've never had that type of problem so hopefully other members that have personal experience with the ingrowns and irritation will chime in here.
Other than the good advice that Ian gave you, I do know that there are creams on the market that are directed at such problems as yours; other members have tried them with reported good results.
For right now just be patient, don't give up, and have a couple of Guiness.
Best,
David
Regards,
David
David
- gotsumoves
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:56 am
- Location: philadelphia
Welcome to the forum Ross.
You will find the gents here to knowledgeable and helpful.
I used to get ingrown hairs on my neck too until i started using a DE. You are on the right track, don't get discouraged, be patient and let your neck rest for a bit.
Going against the grain takes a bit of time, specially around the neck. When I first started I had to live with my neck being a bit rougher than my cheeks.
Try to shave on a weekend day or whenever you have a good hour to devote to shaving at first. Take a hot shower and gently rub your neck with your fingertips, massaging the area will help your whiskers to stand up and away from your skin.
Don't use any soap, scrubs or shaving gel with alcohol on your neck this will dry it out and by the time you get to shaving the dryness will cause more friction. When it comes to shaving think very wet, very slick and very gentle.
good luck,
Jose
You will find the gents here to knowledgeable and helpful.
I used to get ingrown hairs on my neck too until i started using a DE. You are on the right track, don't get discouraged, be patient and let your neck rest for a bit.
Going against the grain takes a bit of time, specially around the neck. When I first started I had to live with my neck being a bit rougher than my cheeks.
Try to shave on a weekend day or whenever you have a good hour to devote to shaving at first. Take a hot shower and gently rub your neck with your fingertips, massaging the area will help your whiskers to stand up and away from your skin.
Don't use any soap, scrubs or shaving gel with alcohol on your neck this will dry it out and by the time you get to shaving the dryness will cause more friction. When it comes to shaving think very wet, very slick and very gentle.
good luck,
Jose
Enjoy your shave,
Jose
Current Set up:
Merkur HD barberpole in blue
Feather blades
Rooney Emillion horn
Col Conk's Bay Rum
Proraso menthol
Witch Hazel
Ebano & Ebano Aftershave Balm
Jose
Current Set up:
Merkur HD barberpole in blue
Feather blades
Rooney Emillion horn
Col Conk's Bay Rum
Proraso menthol
Witch Hazel
Ebano & Ebano Aftershave Balm
Following on from Ian's comment about six months in and still rarely doing ATG passes - think of the learning process of a new shaver when the choices were DE, straight, or beard.
He first starts shaving at that tender age of, what, 11 onwards? Maybe a relative notices some growth and gives him a starter kit. He has perhaps fifteen whiskers on his entire face, and he shaves whenever he feels the need. The whiskers are gone and he's smooth as silk in one pass, but he's building technique and muscle memory. By the time his beard spreads across his face he's been doing his one pass for a good while, months or even years. So now he's got more stubble, and he perhaps throws in extra passes.
By the time it occurs to him, if it ever does, to go against the grain he's been at this shaving lark for years, and he's hopefully developed the touch he needs.
So yes, take it one step at a time, and be cautious with ATG passes - there are blokes who post here who get great results without ever doing an ATG pass.
He first starts shaving at that tender age of, what, 11 onwards? Maybe a relative notices some growth and gives him a starter kit. He has perhaps fifteen whiskers on his entire face, and he shaves whenever he feels the need. The whiskers are gone and he's smooth as silk in one pass, but he's building technique and muscle memory. By the time his beard spreads across his face he's been doing his one pass for a good while, months or even years. So now he's got more stubble, and he perhaps throws in extra passes.
By the time it occurs to him, if it ever does, to go against the grain he's been at this shaving lark for years, and he's hopefully developed the touch he needs.
So yes, take it one step at a time, and be cautious with ATG passes - there are blokes who post here who get great results without ever doing an ATG pass.
Give us the luxuries, and we will forgo the necessities.
Give a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.
Set a man on fire, he'll be toasty for the rest of his life.
Dominic
Give a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.
Set a man on fire, he'll be toasty for the rest of his life.
Dominic
i feel your pain just by seeing the picture.... now i understand a picture is worth a 1000 words ...
looks like long and better prep is needes and more than the prep
is pressure ......looks like your really digging in
no pressure just like the razor do its job and you just guide it
dont worry about getting a close shave just go a clean shave with comfort
hot shower and really get your face steamed and the pores open
when you lather up be sure the lather is thick and not soupy so you cushion your skin and it is protective better to thick than to loose
go slow and keep the strokes with in a inch
see how that works
good luck
marc
looks like long and better prep is needes and more than the prep
is pressure ......looks like your really digging in
no pressure just like the razor do its job and you just guide it
dont worry about getting a close shave just go a clean shave with comfort
hot shower and really get your face steamed and the pores open
when you lather up be sure the lather is thick and not soupy so you cushion your skin and it is protective better to thick than to loose
go slow and keep the strokes with in a inch
see how that works
good luck
marc
Welcome to shavemyface!!!
I would suggest not to shave for a couple of days so your skin can recover.
I was getting that kind of red bumps on my cheeks when I using canned goo and mach 3, and now I have a very clean face with badger soap and DE. I never thought that the opposite can happen until I saw your pic!
I would suggest not to shave for a couple of days so your skin can recover.
I was getting that kind of red bumps on my cheeks when I using canned goo and mach 3, and now I have a very clean face with badger soap and DE. I never thought that the opposite can happen until I saw your pic!
Regards,
Elias
Elias
Hey Ross, welcome aboard. The DE will give you the shave you are looking for but like any tool its use must be learned. The act of shaving with a DE means you are putting a sharp edge directly in contact with your skin. The razor strokes must be deliberate with only enough pressure to keep the edge in contact with your face. Any DE can cause the damage in your pictures if it is used too fast or with too much pressure or both. Think slow cooking instead of quick searing.
Regards,
Squire
Squire
Ross, I wouldn't worry too much about how many times you've used a particular blade. Some people get 2 shaves out of a blade, some 4, some 7, and one of our members managed to stretch one to ~30 shaves. Just change it whenever you feel it's time to - the condition of your blade can be one of the biggest factors in the quality of your shave on a given day.
Welcome Ross,
I also have a beard growth in all directions and it also took me around 6 months before I was able to go XTG and then som before ATG on my chins and neck without getting ingrowns but I'm there now. Stick to Ians advice and you'll get there! I'll second Marcs advice on short strokes.
I changed blades around every three days in the beginning, but when I got the technique down I suddenly did a week without changing blades.
I also have a beard growth in all directions and it also took me around 6 months before I was able to go XTG and then som before ATG on my chins and neck without getting ingrowns but I'm there now. Stick to Ians advice and you'll get there! I'll second Marcs advice on short strokes.
I changed blades around every three days in the beginning, but when I got the technique down I suddenly did a week without changing blades.
Eric
Welcome Ross, hope your shaves are improving. You've had lots of good advice, but one thing that struck me is that you didn't say whether you were using your new shaving soap / cream as well as trying the new razor. If you have also switched to a new cream, it is also possible that you are reacting to some ingredient in it and this is making the irritation worse.
Try to change just one element at a time - makes it easier to say for sure what is making things better / worse.
Try to change just one element at a time - makes it easier to say for sure what is making things better / worse.
Re: new user from northern ireland!
I was just talking to friends about traditional shaving and pointed them in the direction of this forum.
I saw the 'view your posts' and just had to click in or a look.
Almost 6 years later, and I can't believe I experienced the pain of poor shaving for so many years.
I'm still shaving with my Merkur Futur, and mostly proraso with feather blades.
Weekends I use a feather artist which I love.
The knowledge I gained from reading these forums has been invaluable and I will never turn back to cartridges etc.
It's also a skill I will pass into my own son when it is his time to learn shaving!
Thanks for everyone's help
I saw the 'view your posts' and just had to click in or a look.
Almost 6 years later, and I can't believe I experienced the pain of poor shaving for so many years.
I'm still shaving with my Merkur Futur, and mostly proraso with feather blades.
Weekends I use a feather artist which I love.
The knowledge I gained from reading these forums has been invaluable and I will never turn back to cartridges etc.
It's also a skill I will pass into my own son when it is his time to learn shaving!
Thanks for everyone's help
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
- Location: Central Maine
Re: new user from northern ireland!
Welcome to the forum.
Lather is a critical skill, and since you're a beginner it's worth practicing without actually shaving. A proper lather cushions your skin from the blade, and is slick. I like mine to be something like yogurt, but moist and not dry. As you practice evaluate your lather. Wipe it onto your arm and see how long it lasts. It should last for at last the time it takes to make a pass, but there's no rule that says you can't relather in mid pass if you have to. In your practicing you need to take a great lather "too far" with the hydration. Go slowly as you add water to the lather and notice what happens. You need to recognize that sort of foam and never use it. It may seem as though practicing lather is a waste of time and soap, but I assure you it's time and soap well spent.
Too, one other thing to watch for, and all of us who came to blade shaving from cartridges has gone through this... Cartridges require pressure to work. A DE or SE razor requires just the lightest touch with the razor. I can't stress that enough. If you're applying pressure you aren't using the razor correctly and your shaves will suffer.
A BBS shave is obtained not by chasing the BBS, but by using the proper gear with proper technique. Do that and a BBS just naturally follows as a byproduct.
Don't be a stranger, we're here to help.
Lather is a critical skill, and since you're a beginner it's worth practicing without actually shaving. A proper lather cushions your skin from the blade, and is slick. I like mine to be something like yogurt, but moist and not dry. As you practice evaluate your lather. Wipe it onto your arm and see how long it lasts. It should last for at last the time it takes to make a pass, but there's no rule that says you can't relather in mid pass if you have to. In your practicing you need to take a great lather "too far" with the hydration. Go slowly as you add water to the lather and notice what happens. You need to recognize that sort of foam and never use it. It may seem as though practicing lather is a waste of time and soap, but I assure you it's time and soap well spent.
Too, one other thing to watch for, and all of us who came to blade shaving from cartridges has gone through this... Cartridges require pressure to work. A DE or SE razor requires just the lightest touch with the razor. I can't stress that enough. If you're applying pressure you aren't using the razor correctly and your shaves will suffer.
A BBS shave is obtained not by chasing the BBS, but by using the proper gear with proper technique. Do that and a BBS just naturally follows as a byproduct.
Don't be a stranger, we're here to help.
Brian
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
-
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:07 pm
- Location: USA
Re: new user from northern ireland!
ShadowsDad, I think you neglected to look at the DATES on the above posts! This is an update after 6 years.
BP -- Glad to hear of the wonderful progress. Incidentally, I was a little surprised to see that you are successfully using Feather blades. Viewing the original photo from 6 years ago I would've guessed that your skin (esp. on your neck) was too sensitive for Feathers (mine certainly is~!). I'm glad Feathers are working for you -- they are obviously super-sharp blades that provide a close shave.
For what it's worth, I've had great luck with the Personna Hospital Use blades and my fussy skin. I find them plenty sharp yet very forgiving. If you ever feel you want to try something gentler, let me know via PM and I'd be glad to post a few on to you in Northern Ireland.
I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say it's great to see that you derived a real, tangible benefit from SMF. After 40+ years of DE shaving (OMG, can that really be right??!), I am still learning new stuff here all the time. Great group of gents!
BP -- Glad to hear of the wonderful progress. Incidentally, I was a little surprised to see that you are successfully using Feather blades. Viewing the original photo from 6 years ago I would've guessed that your skin (esp. on your neck) was too sensitive for Feathers (mine certainly is~!). I'm glad Feathers are working for you -- they are obviously super-sharp blades that provide a close shave.
For what it's worth, I've had great luck with the Personna Hospital Use blades and my fussy skin. I find them plenty sharp yet very forgiving. If you ever feel you want to try something gentler, let me know via PM and I'd be glad to post a few on to you in Northern Ireland.
I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say it's great to see that you derived a real, tangible benefit from SMF. After 40+ years of DE shaving (OMG, can that really be right??!), I am still learning new stuff here all the time. Great group of gents!
Re: new user from northern ireland!
BP, it's good to see you back after so many years. I hope we'll see more of you now in our discussions, along with your friends.
- Murray
- Murray
Re: new user from northern ireland!
Hello, stranger! It's great to see you back and posting. I'm happy to hear that some of the good advice given back in '09 was of assistance. I was always a wet shaver, with DEs and Gillettes and canned shaving cream. That was before I checked into SMF on advice of a family member. Then I got the Proraso and a Tweezerman badger brush, and Tabac and MWF and VDH soap, and the genie was out of the bottle with no turning back. Being a member here was critical to my encouragement and sense of enjoyment not previously associated with the mundane daily shave.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
- Location: Central Maine
Re: new user from northern ireland!
Sorry, I absolutely didn't look at the dates.
Brian
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square