- Joined
- Wednesday July 6, 2016
- Location
- NW England
Sorry, I haven't read all the replies in this thread and I haven't had what seems to be such a persistent problem, but here are my suggestions for what they are worth, based on occasional similar issues:
1. Stop shaving with any disposable double or more bladed razors...they are effectively giving you two or more passes, the second with less cushion than the first as the first blade will remove most of the shaving cream. IMHO the Edwin Jagger DE89 safety razor provides the best shave in terms of low aggression but closeness and cleanness of cut (Opinions will differ but I don't think there's another razor out there with such generally high ratings in this regard especially for younger shavers, save perhaps the Merkur 34).
The other thing about disposables and the like is they are simply too light at the head...they make you feel you have to apply too much pressure. A proper DE razor head should simply stroke down/across the face because of its weight alone...virtually no pressure needed. I often use a small or light weight handle on my razors to keep them top heavy for this purpose.
2. A single pass does not mean removing all the shaving soap from your face once...it means your blade goes over the area once. A lot of people keep scraping away when they have no soap there to cushion the shave...it's amazing how many of us do this...a reason to avoid a razor blade that is far too mild (Something middling like Nacet, Voskhod, Personna, would be best, but avoid blades like Derby maybe?). However, even with the sharpest of blades, like Feather, the EJDE89 makes an exceptional partner, which is why it's so highly recommended for new and veteran shavers alike.
3. Don't keep thinking you need to have a complete BBS face as a sign of success...do a few one-pass shaves for a while.
4. After shaving, clean excess soap residue of with warm water, but then soak your face in a cold cloth (as cold as you can stand) to close your pores. With your face still wet, either rub an alum block over your face and neck or splash with witch hazel. Leave this for a few minutes and then rinse it off...again with cold water...you don't want to re-open the pores.
5. Dry your face but NOT WITH ANY TYPE OF MICROFIBRE TOWEL! These are more suited to buffing cars or cleaning floors and dishes than your face.
5. Once dry, use a product like Tend Skin (dab it on with cotton wool)...bloody brilliant stuff for in-grown hairs...looks like you may be suffering from those...but Tend Skin is good for many razor-bump type issues.
6. I would also recommend avoiding post-shave balms as these are really more about re-hydrating and soothing, but in doing so can be less beneficial as they soak into the pores and can aggravate blockages...alcohol-based AS splash is probably better as it will disinfect and close the pores. Maybe better to avoid any such products though while using Tend Skin.
7. I'd also avoid the spray cans and check the ingredients on any shaving soaps/creams you have had similar experience with...there may be a single common factor that you're allergic to. Mass produced stuff - and that includes Proraso of course - are more likely to use iffy ingredients. Also the same brand may have variants that affect you...for example, Proraso Green is one of my favourites, but I do get more of an itchy reaction from their sensitive and shea butter soaps...it's often the things actually added for a smoother experience that are more greasy and cause blocked pores!
Anyway...that's my suggestions and maybe something helps...opinions will differ as everyone has different experiences...I'm sure there's much good advice elsewhere in this thread and in TSR more widely, so good luck
1. Stop shaving with any disposable double or more bladed razors...they are effectively giving you two or more passes, the second with less cushion than the first as the first blade will remove most of the shaving cream. IMHO the Edwin Jagger DE89 safety razor provides the best shave in terms of low aggression but closeness and cleanness of cut (Opinions will differ but I don't think there's another razor out there with such generally high ratings in this regard especially for younger shavers, save perhaps the Merkur 34).
The other thing about disposables and the like is they are simply too light at the head...they make you feel you have to apply too much pressure. A proper DE razor head should simply stroke down/across the face because of its weight alone...virtually no pressure needed. I often use a small or light weight handle on my razors to keep them top heavy for this purpose.
2. A single pass does not mean removing all the shaving soap from your face once...it means your blade goes over the area once. A lot of people keep scraping away when they have no soap there to cushion the shave...it's amazing how many of us do this...a reason to avoid a razor blade that is far too mild (Something middling like Nacet, Voskhod, Personna, would be best, but avoid blades like Derby maybe?). However, even with the sharpest of blades, like Feather, the EJDE89 makes an exceptional partner, which is why it's so highly recommended for new and veteran shavers alike.
3. Don't keep thinking you need to have a complete BBS face as a sign of success...do a few one-pass shaves for a while.
4. After shaving, clean excess soap residue of with warm water, but then soak your face in a cold cloth (as cold as you can stand) to close your pores. With your face still wet, either rub an alum block over your face and neck or splash with witch hazel. Leave this for a few minutes and then rinse it off...again with cold water...you don't want to re-open the pores.
5. Dry your face but NOT WITH ANY TYPE OF MICROFIBRE TOWEL! These are more suited to buffing cars or cleaning floors and dishes than your face.
5. Once dry, use a product like Tend Skin (dab it on with cotton wool)...bloody brilliant stuff for in-grown hairs...looks like you may be suffering from those...but Tend Skin is good for many razor-bump type issues.
6. I would also recommend avoiding post-shave balms as these are really more about re-hydrating and soothing, but in doing so can be less beneficial as they soak into the pores and can aggravate blockages...alcohol-based AS splash is probably better as it will disinfect and close the pores. Maybe better to avoid any such products though while using Tend Skin.
7. I'd also avoid the spray cans and check the ingredients on any shaving soaps/creams you have had similar experience with...there may be a single common factor that you're allergic to. Mass produced stuff - and that includes Proraso of course - are more likely to use iffy ingredients. Also the same brand may have variants that affect you...for example, Proraso Green is one of my favourites, but I do get more of an itchy reaction from their sensitive and shea butter soaps...it's often the things actually added for a smoother experience that are more greasy and cause blocked pores!
Anyway...that's my suggestions and maybe something helps...opinions will differ as everyone has different experiences...I'm sure there's much good advice elsewhere in this thread and in TSR more widely, so good luck
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