Unsightly red dots after shaving... pls help.

[Sebastian Tombs]

Dear Sirs,

While the majority of you gentlemen, judging by this wonderful forum's list of topics, seem to have problems with blades and sensitive skin, I am afflicted by this peculiar problem: after shaving myself with a wilkinson's four-blades razor (I am planning the switch to a more traditional tool) and not cutting or bruising my skin, off I go into the vast world.

After a day, when the beard starts to grow, I notice very unsightly rlittle raised red dots under my chin, on my throat. Not on the cheeks or under my nose. I assume it's hair that's growing under my skin.

I always shave against the hair, for the record. I don't use any shaving oil or aftershave cream. I usually leave the shaving cream on my face for three minutes, and then start shaving.

I wonder if you fellow adventurers have some good advice for me?

Thank you for your help.

PS I am going to buy some Taylor's products, suppose I can ignore teh shaving oil as I don't need to moisturize my skin before shaving.

[JamesT1]

...ahem...

I believe this may be what you are looking for.

Scroll down to the "perfect shave" section.

[Sebastian Tombs]

Thanks James.

I suppose I shouldn't shave against the grain, though? Will read and report to you fellows.

[Cufflink79]

Dear Carlo La Duca:

The red bumps you described are most likely ingrown hairs. This occurs when one would shave against the hairs.

Here are a few tips:
1. Before you shave put some hot water on your face and some lathered soap. (Don't have the water so hot that you hurt yourself)

2. Take a wet wash cloth and put some lathered soap on it, then gently scrub your face. (This will help open the pores, and help the hair come out)

3. When you shave DO NOT GO AGAINST THE GRAIN! Here is what you should do, it souds funny but feel your face before you shave. Move your fingers over your face and feel how the hairs are growing, if it feels somewhat smooth then you are going with the grain. If it feels rough, then you are going against the grain.

4. When you are shaving go with the grain, do this with great care, in other words don't put a lot of pressure on your face. When you shave you want to use quick light strokes. Afther you have gone over a certain area with the grain a couple of times then you can go against the grain to clean up any stuble.

These two books might help you as well. The first is more of a history of shaving book and the second is a "How To" type book. Hope they help.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... omtheweb08

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Shaving-Myria ... 14-0407968

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[Sebastian Tombs]

Thank you! Will shave as soon as my face allows, and let you know

[Costi]

May I add a couple more suggestions to Cufflink's sound advice:
- shave in multiple, light pressure passes, at least two (I make three passes in the chin area), rather than one hard pass against the grain. It helps gradually reduce the hair length, so you can revert the shaving direction on the final pass with little to no irritation. Plan 10 minutes extra in the morning for this, though...
- try not to shave FULLY against the grain (vertically upwards) on the final pass, but rather diagonally upwards towards the median line of your face

[Costi]

Thank you! Will shave as soon as my face allows, and let you know

How often do you shave?

[Sebastian Tombs]

Actually I have a very weak beard, more unsightly hair, so when doing against the grain with the wilkinson quattro, I shaved probably every 5-6 days? Now it'\s getting stronger, and I am waiting for my Merkur DE to arrive and will try daily, without going against the grain. Will keep you all posted, thanks.