Razor Burn or Rash? How to treat?

[joseywales]

You guys have failed me. You never told about making sure my lather was correct each time, before taking the razor to my face. Well...ok, maybe you did. But you should have known I wasn't listening. I tell my wife the same thing, "make eye contact when you want my attention!"

OK, now that we're past that. I had some great shaves over the past couple weeks, but at one point wasn't paying attention and shaved with a poor lather WTG and a Derby blade (first time with those). I quickly went to an easier cream, eased down on the adjustable setting, and had a very nice pass XTG. However, I now have a small bit of either razor burn or rash.

What I've done about it so far:

I put witch hazel aloe lotion on it and Talc at night, and did not shave for almost 3 days.
I shaved today with a good lather and a Ranger Tech, with an easy going Personna, which are the blades I've started with. I went WTG and ATG and had a nice shave. But there is still some red. I can't say that it hurts, but I just don't want it snowballing into something worse.

Any advice is appreciated.

[yomuppet]

Sounds like a mild case of razor burn. Give it another 4 days, and if it's not gone then you might start to wonder. Unless you were perhaps using a new soap/cream that day as well, then I'd say it might be a rash.

Either way, 3 days and "sort of red but doesn't hurt" is nothing to worry about, yet.

Cheers.

J

[joseywales]

Bingo! Yatzee! The KMF I was using wasn't giving a good lather (my fault no doubt), but rather than giving it another go that day, I tried out a tube of Bigelow, which I thought produced an excellent lather and shave. However, I was standing in line at thriftstore, buying what else but a lather bowl, etc., and my face started to itch. Specifically, one small dot, where it looked like a mesquito bite. It's 29 degrees here today, so we can rule that out. The other areas still show some red and I've gotten dots like these from time to time on a finger, etc. and always figured I came in contact with something my skin didn't like.

I know my face wasn't crazy about the menthol-type feeling I got from the Bigelow, but it gave a real nice shave and felt kinda cool. Any thoughts as to what is in the Bigelow that could be the issue?

I will practice my lather and stick with KMF, until I resolve the issue.

Thanks for bringing that idea out!!

[Dharion]

Have you tried aftershave w/ alcohol in it? There is a bit of sting to it but if you moist your face with cold water, let it dry a bit and then rub your wet hands with aftershave (i.e. dilute it) and splash it on your face you could solve the problem. Of course solving the lather problem comes first but sometimes we do mess up and need care.

[joseywales]

Have you tried aftershave w/ alcohol in it? There is a bit of sting to it but if you moist your face with cold water, let it dry a bit and then rub your wet hands with aftershave (i.e. dilute it) and splash it on your face you could solve the problem. Of course solving the lather problem comes first but sometimes we do mess up and need care.

I thank you for the advice and I am already on it. Saturday I read the Aftershave Review on this site, which I would recommend to every newb. I ordered the Musgo A/S, Weleda Balm, Italian Floid, and picked up some Thayer's Witch Hazel with alcohol.

[Jasonian]

I just picked up a bottle of Adidas "Pulse" after shave splash. The whole line of body wash, deodorant, cologne, etc.. is made by COTY, actually.

I picked it up because it contains alcohol, witch hazel, aloe, and some other good stuff. All in one. (it's nice and easy, and works well)

the only problem I have is that the smell doesn't dissipate as quickly as I'd prefer, although SWMBO digs the scent on me (which is why I looked in the first place).

It's the best thing I've used to help with minor irritation on the spot. (followed with an ASB, as per my usual routine)

I occasionally get the redness thing as well, mostly on the neck area. (I wish my neck weren't so.. curvy, I guess is the right word)

[joseywales]

[QUOTE=Jasonian;927498]I just picked up a bottle of Adidas "Pulse" after shave splash. The whole line of body wash, deodorant, cologne, etc.. is made by COTY, actually.

I picked it up because it contains alcohol, witch hazel, aloe, and some other good stuff. All in one. (it's nice and easy, and works well)
QUOTE]

Where did you find it?

[Jasonian]

I found it at Walmart, of all places. I don't recall ever seeing it before, so my guess is that it's a new product. Or maybe it isn't. I sure do enjoy it, either way.

p.s. - love your screen name

[Gogo]

Occasional dabs of Neosporin help me with the rough spots and times.

[yomuppet]

It could very well be the menthol and/or eucalyptus that does not agree with you (unless you've used it in other products).

Regards.

J

[joseywales]

It could very well be the menthol and/or eucalyptus that does not agree with you (unless you've used it in other products).

Regards.

J


Really? I can do without the menthol, that's for sure. Guys talk about getting that wow and all that. I'll get my wows elswhere :biggrin:

[professorchaos]

Alum.

[ravkesef]

The problem is caused by scraping a bit too closely with a razor, but in many cases is a bacterial infection whereby bacteria that are normally resident on the skin surface have been given some fresh territory to set up housekeeping. These are fairly persistent bacteria; that's why they remain on the skin despite the fact that we all wash our faces daily. If you are persistent razor burn is due to bacteria, the only way to get rid of it is to kill them off. Depending upon the particular bacteria, alcohol may help. Phisohex is excellent, but it's a prescription item, not OTC. Bacitracin may also work.

[Mr. Gillette]

Bag Balm. It's easily found, especially in farm stores-- but it's soothing, rubs in well, protects and smells.. well, different.

Best treatment for razor burn? Not so much found in your lather but in your technique

1) Almost zero pressure.

2) Be intentional about your strokes-- how they overlap, how consistent they are in terms of speed, length, etc.
For instance...if you're using short strokes that could be termed "dig-dig-dig" the pressure is greatest at the beginning of the stroke, digs in even more upon contact, and is less as your razor leaves.

At the same time, REMEMBER...each time your razor hits your face, there must be lather, otherwise you might as well shave with a multi-blade piece of dung.

Example: You lather up. You start at your left ear, take a nice stroke about 3" down, go back to your sideburns and repeat that stroke. Or, you start at your sideburn and go "zip-zip-zip." In the first case, only one of two strokes was over lather- the other was over bare skin. In the second example, you made 2 extra strokes, probably with more pressure than you needed, with no lather-- even though those three quick digs might have taken the same amount of time as a single stroke.

3) Know how your hair grows...it's not always up and down or left to right...your face is unique.

[harman]

1) Almost zero pressure.
I have found that 'pressure' is the wrong word. There should be no pressure, the razor should simply make contact with the skin. Also, I completely agree with number 3; knowing the terrain makes a huge difference.

[Mr. Gillette]

I have found that 'pressure' is the wrong word. There should be no pressure, the razor should simply make contact with the skin. Also, I completely agree with number 3; knowing the terrain makes a huge difference.

You've learned a lot, grasshopper! I've been DE shaving for 35+ years, and I learn something every time I go at it!


Pressure is DEFINITE enemy. And old age...just when you think you know your face, it moves south!!!:lol::lol:

[tpoof]

And old age...just when you think you know your face, it moves south
copy that!

[ScYcS]

I just picked up a bottle of Adidas "Pulse" after shave splash. The whole line of body wash, deodorant, cologne, etc.. is made by COTY, actually.

I picked it up because it contains alcohol, witch hazel, aloe, and some other good stuff. All in one. (it's nice and easy, and works well)


Ingredients:

Propylene Glycol
Fragrance
FD&C Red 33
Barbadensis Extract
Benzophenone-2
Benzophenone-9
Castor Oil
DL-alpha-tocopheryl
Acetate
Denatured Ethanol
FD&C Blue No. 1
Allantoin
FD&C Violet 2
FD&C Yellow 5
Alpha-bisabolol
Menthol
PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
2-Ethylhexyl
4-methoxycinnamate
Retinol Palmitate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Water
Witch Hazel Extract

[Mr. Gillette]

Ingredients:

Propylene Glycol
Fragrance
FD&C Red 33
Barbadensis Extract
Benzophenone-2
Benzophenone-9
Castor Oil
DL-alpha-tocopheryl
Acetate
Denatured Ethanol
FD&C Blue No. 1
Allantoin
FD&C Violet 2
FD&C Yellow 5
Alpha-bisabolol
Menthol
PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
2-Ethylhexyl
4-methoxycinnamate
Retinol Palmitate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Water
Witch Hazel Extract

BAG BALM...it's for cow teats and razor burn. It's cheap, and will last 2 lifetimes.:lol::lol:

[ScYcS]

Actually that's probably the best stuff you could possibly use in all honesty....

[Mr. Gillette]

Yes...it's amazingly soothing...it's for cow teats, cracked and chapped hands, and razor burn NOT for your testicles...but then...I dunno...never tried it there...:w00t:

[ScYcS]

Yes...it's amazingly soothing...it's for cow teats, cracked and chapped hands, and razor burn NOT for your testicles...but then...I dunno...never tried it there...:w00t:

I'm guessing i know your plans for tonight....ewwwwwwwwwwww

[joseywales]

I'm now leaning toward eucalyptus allergy. I shaved with KMF today. There was especially one bump that was a bit shiny, thinking of becoming a bigger bump no soubt :eek: BUt that has subsided a good bit. Once I'm ready, I'll try the Musgo Real I picked up. It has menthol, but no eucalyptus.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions.

[jeffb]

Occasional dabs of Neosporin help me with the rough spots and times.


Same here.

I have found that Speick or Aqua Velva followed by Proraso ASB works wonders on razor burn.