Razor Bumps/Ingrown Hairs

Bogeyman said:
A blind man could see your issue: you are either using too much pressure or shaving ATG on your neck. Period.

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I shave with two fingers and a thumb with very little pressure, and as I stated I only shave 1 pass with the grain. I also use alum after I shave with ZERO sting/burn from it so I couldn't be shaving overly aggressively or with pressure.
 
The answer is NOT more or less product imo, in the end it can only be your technique. Razor bumps occur when you shave too close and the cut beard tucks under the skin and grows in on itself hence why afro carribean men particularly suffer from bumps.

Have you beard mapped under your chin because those pustules really only arise when you go ATG or over shave an area without the protection of a lick of lather. Look, if you can shave better with a twin bladed disposible then use that, no shame in that at all. I always say the same thing, get rid of 90% of your post shave routine and buy some Thayers/ witch hazel as its a natural astrigent and less aggressive than using raw alum on your skin. It should improve things for you.
 
There's lots of good advice offered so far.
My only other thoughts are...
* Your 'muscle memory' is tuned to the plastic razors. You may not be actually slicing through the hair, but scraping instead. Your photos show stubble under your chin area. Ride the cap of your DE and do a few strokes. Lower the handle a wee bit and stroke some more. Keep lowering the handle until you feel (or hear) the blade start to cut. Don't over do it and ride the safety bar too much as then you are into 'scraping' territory.
* Tried any other decent soap? Stirling would be good, or Haslinger for a start.
I too used TOBS for some time but then one day I read the list of ingredients. Things like tetrasodium edta are not really good for you.
I'd try another good soap if you haven't already.
I also used Proraso Red, Green, Blue, and White (Sensitive).
Here's what the Sensitive has in it.
https://incidecoder.com/products/proraso-shaving-soap-in-a-bowl-sensitive-skin
If it were me, and having skin problems I'd be ditching that Proraso.
Funnily enough I ditched all the Proraso products once I got into more aggressive razors (Timeless .95, Karve with #F, and #G plates).
Those soaps worked for my milder razors, but not so good with my later razors that shave closer (plus I didn't like the Proraso or TOBS ingredient list).
 
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Been thinking about your problem, and your use of disposable razors.
Do those razors have a lubricant strip on them? If so, then that probably has been helping your shaves.
Remember that I don't like any of your soap choices so far (sorry!)...but can you take a photo to show us what your 'normal' lather looks like?
I'm thinking maybe too thick (pasty) or too thin (watery)...and that would not give your DE shaves the 'slide and glide' that is needed.
I like your use of Hyaluronic Acid though. I use the same myself, although just started this recently as at 73 my skin is getting a tad dry (needed 'plumping').
Anyway, lots of folks here have shaved for many years (55+ for me) and most of us have got this shaving thing almost sorted now.
Hope you can too.
 
Hi Roxy15. Fellow sufferer here... Like previous posters have stated, technique comes first, and knowing your beard map goes hand in hand with that.

Is a hot water prep and during the shave better for your skin and beard combination? Or is cold water better you?

Boar, badger, or synthetic brush? All have their advantages. Bowl latherer, or face latherer (I'm in the latter. It's great for lifting up the hairs as you work the soap in to a lather)?

Which soap? I tend to stick to the unscented or sensitive types. Especially the ones I can get a luscious lather with.

A good razor, an adjustable like my DE favourite the Rockwell 6C you cannot go wrong. Literally within the first shave, my ingrown hairs were minimised. Most blades perform well with this razor (although I'm always on the search for better blades to make the overall shave more comfortable).

For me its getting the right balance (all of the above) and expectation (do you really need BBS? Would one pass do, instead of three passes?).
 
Hedgehog said:
Hi Roxy15. Fellow sufferer here... Like previous posters have stated, technique comes first, and knowing your beard map goes hand in hand with that.

Is a hot water prep and during the shave better for your skin and beard combination? Or is cold water better you?

Boar, badger, or synthetic brush? All have their advantages. Bowl latherer, or face latherer (I'm in the latter. It's great for lifting up the hairs as you work the soap in to a lather)?

Which soap? I tend to stick to the unscented or sensitive types. Especially the ones I can get a luscious lather with.

A good razor, an adjustable like my DE favourite the Rockwell 6C you cannot go wrong. Literally within the first shave, my ingrown hairs were minimised. Most blades perform well with this razor (although I'm always on the search for better blades to make the overall shave more comfortable).

For me its getting the right balance (all of the above) and expectation (do you really need BBS? Would one pass do, instead of three passes?).
Click to expand...
Oh, and how frequently do you have to shave? Must it be every day? My point is, the previous shave must be non irritable, in order to increase the likelihood of a subsequent non irritable shave. Otherwise you'll have to wait much longer to recover, which may make it more difficult to shave. You may have to trim, then shave? Or alternate with your Gillette disposable and your DE razor until you get your technique sorted? Hope that helps...
 
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