Yaaaaay - another shave and another DISASTER! - *Updates*

Shaving bumps aint good. I'd invest in some Naissance Aloe Vera. You can get it on Amazon. It soothes after shaving, just rub in a finger nail size bit into the shaving area and it'll help heal the skin. Also avoid shaving any area that doesn't have lather on, reapply lather if needed and don't go over the same area twice. One pass with lather and don't go over until the next pass. Aim to shave the lather off only and reduce the beard a pass at a time, don't try to shave your beard in one go. I'd avoid scents too as the alcohol will irritate the skin. Hopefully this will help too.
 
mattprince said:
Thanks for the reply. I am on the list for the Fatboy adjustable so will have that in a few weeks so probably best to wait for that. Thanks for the offer though. Regarding blades then I have Astra SP, Astra SS, Feather, Vokshod, Lord Platinum, Gillette Yellow. If you have a few others that you think may benefit me then would appreciate trying a few. Also I have loads of the Astra SP that I could send to you in return if you want any.

Matt
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Firstly, thanks for the offer but I went off Astras some time ago. Lot of good advice in this thread, and the fatboy turned right down is a good move. Leave the Astras, the Feathers and the Yellows alone for now. Dont know about the Lords, havent used them for an age. The Vokshod are sharp but smooth but maybe not right now. PM me your address and I will try to dig up a few to try.

I hate to say this but the most passive razor I ever used was a gillette tech. Have you got one? It might be a good transitional for you while you get the hang of everything and, hopefully, heal (!) If you havent got one let me know and I will have a dig around to see if I still have one I can let you have.

No more Against The Grain though, at least for the time being. And do not touch your face with a razor even just touching up a patch quickly, if there isnt a layer of a good soap or cream protecting.

Good luck!
 
You're not going to be able to shave for a few days, meanwhile studying the grain of your stubble should help;
http://thecloseshave.com/mapping-your-beard-grain/
Only shaving wtg will help even if you do 2 passes, I wouldn't go xtg until your skin gets used to it, and shave every other day.
If you were getting adverse reactions with carts as well, maybe shaving isn't for you but perhaps persevering with the DE will reap rewards, if not grow a beard.
 
You seem to be well covered for offers of hardware help. I would also say that the cream can also be an irritant. I have a skin like a rhino...but sometimes creams with essential oils can cause me problems which result in a less than comfortable shave. May I suggest that you try the lowly Palmolive cream. Cheap as chips and comfortable in use.
 
I'd suspect there's one (or more) of three problems here:

1. Pressure (I know you said you used no pressure, but, if you hold the razor too firmly, you can apply pressure without being aware of it). Imagine you're holding a delicate china teacup.

2. Blade angle - I'd advise shaving with the razor handle at around 60-70 degrees from the face, which means that the blade will contact the skin at a low angle. The following video may help:

3. Beard mapping. Your beard may not grow in the direction you think, epecially on the neck. Once you have around two days' growth, spend a few minutes checking all of your growth, and make sure that you really know all of it.
 
nick_s said:
I see no mention of your pre shave routine. Let us know what you do 'pre shave' so as we can offer some hopefully helpful additional advice.

If you don't prepare your beard, you can end up with a disaster. As with all things, prep is crucial.
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Hi,

Usually shower before and then shave straight after. If I don't shower then I really wet my stubble and put a hot towel over my face to soften the beard. I've tried proraso preshave once and it made my skin sting so haven't tried any other.

Matt
 
Now that looks familiar, that used to be me after shaving with anything. Red raw especially under the chin.

Lots of good pointers given already but I'll chuck my tuppence worth in with what worked for me.

ATG I can't do, doesn't matter what I've tried (since being 16yo) leaves me red raw.

Map your beard

XTG will leave me looking like you in the middle of my cheeks, corners of my mouth, where the grain changes direction on my neck and random patches everywhere else. For ordinary shaves I just don't bother and add another WTG (usually one WTG works fine) if needed, if I use XTG on special occasions I'm very selective.

Find the sweet spot for the razor used, place the head on your arm with the handle perpendicular to your skin, then slowly draw it along as you roll the handle down until it just starts cutting. By cutting I mean when it pops through the hairs rather than when it drags through. Try and maintain that angle when shaving. When trying a new razor do this before using it on your face. Eventually you'll just get the feel of them. This one is very important. With many razors you don't have to be far out to turn your face into pizza especially if you have sensitive skin and a thick beard. Also getting the right angle can reduce the sharpness of your stubble.

Map your beard!

Make sure you moisturise after your shave.

Beard reduction not beard removal! doesn't matter how hard you scrape it'll be back within the day. I have a thick, coarse beard and I do a one pass WTG shave usually, which leaves me feeling smooth WTG and a bit rough ATG; looks fine, no spots, no bumps, no soreness. I was in my mid forties before I had my first comfortable shave and that started with turning to DE wet shaving, listening to all the advice and then finding which bits worked for me (which took ages!). My main advice would always be go back to the basics your technique is more important than your equipment.
 
Yowzer! I feel for you! If ever I try any ATG on my neck I'd end up like that, same as the Count (above).

I tend to shape around a beard which involved some shaving of cheeks and neck, mainly. With neck I go WTG/XTG and leave it at that. Sometimes I go for just one WTG pass which leaves me pretty stubbly in most directions but looking clean and giving me the opportunity to go again the following day.

I'd say if you're making a truly conscious effort to go without pressure it could be the angle which is suffering. Especially if you're used to cartridges the position of the handle with respect to the blade is entirely different.

Start again with the basics, try and get the angle right. I'd second the 'trial on the arm' method of finding the angle as it gives you a far more visual demonstration of what's going on there and what you should be looking/feeling for, as well as getting a grasp of the angle. Also, there's no real harm varying your grip on the razor in a trial-and-error fashion. I'm more accustomed to holding mine like a pen when going South to North or East to West/West to East. I'll hold mainly with my forefinger and thumb and that gives a delicate grip (in my personal experience). If I hold full-fisted I'm more inclined to squeeze the handle more and that removes some of my intricate feel - the same might work for you?

Hope this helps!
 
culcreuch said:
You seem to be well covered for offers of hardware help. I would also say that the cream can also be an irritant. I have a skin like a rhino...but sometimes creams with essential oils can cause me problems which result in a less than comfortable shave. May I suggest that you try the lowly Palmolive cream. Cheap as chips and comfortable in use.
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+1

All great advice in here, I would just like to reinforce the above aspect.
The cream is pretty slick right out of the pot, but that doesn't mean it's ready to shave. Keep adding water while building the lather, until you get a lather explosion. Make sure it is yogurt like, nice and hydrated, not bubbly or dry.

I remember getting different results with same setup, turns out besides my technique being all wrong, the lather was mostly out of its best. Then the worst case, neck ATG, would get me all red. My thanks to Aloe and Floid for soothing my pain.

I also noticed that stiffer blades, like Single Edge Artist Club provides me a smoother shave especially when going ATG on the neck area. My RR Hawk has been my best friend for a while.
 
Hi All,

Well had 2 things delivered today off a few members and very grateful. Part of the package was a Gillette Tech.

My face felt much better so decided to do either 1 pass or 2 passes WTG (would decide after pass 1)

Gillette Tech
Brand New Rapira Blade
Fine Platinum Soap

First Pass - went very good. Its definitely not aggressive but felt lovely on my face and seemed to take 90% as much stubble as the other razors I have in the first pass.
Second Pass - hmmm, definitely felt more raw this time.

I think for how mild this razors reputation is and how good this soap is (was very slick as the cream came off) I think its just my face not healed enough yet.

Will give it a good week, and then update again with another shave with the same.

Matt
 
mattprince said:
Hi All,

Well had 2 things delivered today off a few members and very grateful. Part of the package was a Gillette Tech.

My face felt much better so decided to do either 1 pass or 2 passes WTG (would decide after pass 1)

Gillette Tech
Brand New Rapira Blade
Fine Platinum Soap

First Pass - went very good. Its definitely not aggressive but felt lovely on my face and seemed to take 90% as much stubble as the other razors I have in the first pass.
Second Pass - hmmm, definitely felt more raw this time.

I think for how mild this razors reputation is and how good this soap is (was very slick as the cream came off) I think its just my face not healed enough yet.

Will give it a good week, and then update again with another shave with the same.

Matt
Click to expand...
+ 1 on giving it a week for your skin to heal itself & +2 goes to the generous member who sent you the Gillette Tech, A superb razor..it'll provide you with some excellent shaves, with the right choice of blade, when your skin has healed correctly. ;)
 
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