New African American member seeking tips

[Dawgneck]

Hello, everyone.

New member checking in.

I am an African American currently shaving with the Gillette 5-blade Fusion, and I'd like to switch to DE shaving to help clear up mild to moderate shaving bumps.

Two weeks ago I started using a product called Skin Tight (an alcohol-aspirin type chemical) which has helped reduce the bumps from moderate to mild.

I use a Crabtree & Evelyn (Edwin Jagger) Super Badger brush and Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna shave cream, I shave every other day, but I believe I need to switch from the Fusion to a DE razor to totally eliminate the remaining bumps.

I thought about purchasing a Merkur Visoin 2000, but the number of warnings I've read outnumber the positive reviews. The Gillette Fat Boy is another razor I'm contemplating, but I prefer a new razor over a used "classic". Lastly, I like what I've read about the Merkur HD, but I think I might need an adjustable razor to help with the bumps.

I am searching for Badger & Blade threads related to African Americans new to DE shaving and razor bumps. I'd appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction. I'd also appreciate any suggestions and tips on razor and blade choices and shaving techniques especially useful to African Americans with razor bump problems.

Thanks in advance.

[Wishoot]

I'm not African American, but I just wanted to say:


WELCOME!!

[Confilo]

Bienvenido! A Progress or Margress might be a nice new adjustable razor, I also like the Futur but as you will se in the reviews some folks have issues with it

[Kbennett]

With proper cleaning (soap and water and Scrubbing Bubbles) and disinfecting (Barbicide), a vintage razor will be just as good as any of the modern ones, in my opinion. Don't discount them.

That said, welcome and good luck.

[Gruder]

Welcome to B&B! I don't share your cultural heritage, but am not sure that I see how an adjustable would be better for bumps. I think that it's in some ways key to learn good technique without the added variable of blade gap choices. Once you have the technique down, my hunch is that the bumps will have resolved themselves. So my recommendation: go with that HD. Once RAD hits you can branch out to some of the turn-to-open (TTO) adjustable stuff.

[pbroddi]

Hey Dawgneck (Great name!)

Welcome to the forum.
Black male from the UK here.

You're in the right place for advice. Many, many shave veterans in this forum, with a great willingnes to share information. I'm a relative newb to DE shaving, after almost 20 years of not shaving at all due to bad experiences! A single blade razor will help with razor bumps no doubt. What works for me is shaving regularly, using no pressure on the razor and using products with mainly natural ingredients. I also exfoliate the night before a shave using a small brush and a natural soap, which helps get rid of ingrown hairs that affect in particular men like us with curly beard growth. Also, I use organic aloe vera gel or a natural moisturizer as a face mask before bed.

Check out Mantic59's videos on youtube for shave technique tips and read the stickies at the top of the newbie board for prep and shave tips.

Stick around, there's lots to learn......

This was a recently added to thread on the subject.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13736

[Kmitch]

Welcome to B&B, great to have you!

[nuovorecord]

Welcome to B&B, great to have you!

+1 Welcome!

[JaeBeam]

Welcome!

I've heard that black folks are more prone to developing Koloid scaring than white folks. I don't know why, but this is something I picked up when I used to tattoo.

The black folks skin always reacted much more than white folks to the needles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keloid

Granted, this is the internet, right? I'd suggest waiting for the bumps to go away before starting to shave based on the wiki article. Ultimately, if these are your simple run of the mill shaving bumps, no harm done in waiting.

Anywho, I'm a newb as well. I *just* got my gear delivered, and I'm looking forward to a little me time in about 2 hours. Welcome to the big show, and I hope your issues are mitigated!!!

[herbnerd]

I met a chap at a Hong Kong cosmetics expo who was selling a gel made with acteylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) to be applied post shaving to reduce the bumps. His stand had photos of skin of various colours showing the before.after photos of using his gel - and gave me a sample to try.

If I could find his business card, I would flick it through to you.

[shyrlock]

Welcome Dawgneck!
I am hoping that wetshaving will become an enjoyable passtime for you as it has for me.
As far as razor suggestions, I would say, if possible to go to a retail place where they have different razors for sale. I think it is best to pick some up and see how they feel in your hand.
That is what I did, and the Merkur Futur(a modern adjustable) spoke to me right away.
For me it was an excellent choice and it has served me well indeed.
For blade choice, it is really hard to beat the sample packs sold by John at www.westcoastshaving.com .
You are almost certain to find a brand that suits your face and style.
Sorry, I can't help with the razor bump things on your face, but I'll bet someone here can offer some good advice. Generally speaking, the advice you get here is worth every penny you pay for it:biggrin:
So good luck and happy shaving!
Mike

[crankymoose]

Dawgneck, Welcome to B&B

for now I say pass on the Vision until you get more experience it can be a great razor if used daily but can also cause frustrations, I recommend an older Gillette SS and a sampler pack of blades given that combo you are almost certainly able to find the combo for you from a very mild shave with some blades to a very close shave if using feathers

[Dawgneck]

Everyone,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I feel at home already :smile:

After reading your suggestions and other posts on this site, I have decided to try a used Gillete Fat Boy razor. I want my first shave to be as trouble-free as possible and I think this might be the best intro for me.

I'm trying to win one on eBay and hope to have one within a week or two.

I'm sure RAD will kick in soon after, so I'll look at the Merkur Progress or Futur as my second razor.... If I find the Fat Boy too difficult to come by, I may move on to the Progress or Futur first.

In either case, I will stay away from the Vision 2000 until I'm more experienced, as suggested.

I would like to wait for the bumps to disappear before starting out, but I can't grow a beard and the bumps won't go away if I continue shaving with the Fusion, so I have to move to the DE asap.

I'm unable to find a shop in my area that has different razors so I'm relying on Badger & Blade to educate me.

I just viewed a few of Mantic59's videos... they are an incredible! Thanks for the tip, pbroddi.

Well, thanks again for the warm welcome and suggestions, guys. Back to reading posts and learning all I can about DE wet shaving!

[BroJohn]

Hi Dawgneck --

Welcome to B&B!! Glad to have you join us.

There are a number of A-A guys who post regularly here, and I'm sure that they'll chime in. They develop their own techniques, and may start off shaving every few days. It seems that within a couple of months, most are shaving daily, and get comfortable and very close shaves.

I'll point you to Mantic's shaving videos (http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?p=r&user=mantic59&page=2) that he has posted on the net at YouTube. The practices are common regardless of race, so this is a great place to start.

I'll also opine that the Merkur Vision would be a poor choice for a starter DE razor. Most vintage Gillettes should be fine, as would be a non-adjustable Merkur. I recommend that you stay simple to start, then branch out a bit after you get your routine worked out. I also recommend that you acquire the low end blade sampler from westcoastshaving.com to get you going.

Read a lot, post your results; both successes and failures. Your in a good group here and wet shaving is easily learned --it just takes a little coaching and some practice.

You're going to like this wet shaving stuff. :w00t:

-- John Gehman

[Nancy Boy]

Welcome to B&B. Great to have you here! :smile::smile::smile:

[AZShaver]

I'm surprised that no one has recommended a Tech. They are easy to come by, cheap, and probably the mildest de razor. You would have to work hard to hurt yourself with one. Great razor for a beginner, and good to have around on a day after a careless one.

[cvac]

Dawg,

One thing I'd recommend is picking up some Gillette "sensitive" disposables. They only have one blade and are fairly gentle as long as you don't apply too much pressure. I use these when I'm in a rush or travelling and don't have time for a DE shave with a brush. If you *need* to shave every single day no matter what, there will inevitably be times when you are rushed and these disposables are a lifesaver, IMO.

Also, a Gillette "slim" adjustable can be had for a bit less than a "fatboy" and it's easier to find one in good condition. Fatboys go for inflated prices on ebay and the ones that show up are often in poor condition.

Good luck.

[netsurfr]

Welcome to B&B!

[ClubmanRob]

Just curious, have you tried a Bump Fighter razor yet? It's a cartridge, like the Fusion, but it has a single recessed blade that doesn't cut down to the skin in order to fight ingrown hairs. I use mine with regular Trac II blades, as I don't really have a problem with ingrowns. There are a few reviews of it in the review section.

[dsipari]

Hi Dawg!
Welcome to B&B. As you can see, this place is always a good source of information for shaving advice (and a bunch of other topics, too!).

I second the recommendation about the Techs. Great shavers.
That said, whatever razor you decide to go with, you might consider posting a request in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum here. Many members have more than one of various models that can be had for extremely reasonable prices.
Also, check out the PIF (Pay-it-Forward) posts that pop up from time to time.
These are usually directed at new members and can help you find something that works for you.
Blade-wise, see if you can get some samples from here on the board of different types. Everyone has different favorites and ones that work (or don't) for them.
Finally, for the 'bumps'.....do a search for J-hooking here. It's a kind of technique (mostly for the neck area) to help you get a good close shave without having to make too many passes (thereby reducing the chance for irritation and/or 'bumps).

I'm confident you'll be happy with the advice and friendship here!

[RoyalKooparillo]

Welcome to B&B! I don't share your cultural heritage, but am not sure that I see how an adjustable would be better for bumps. I think that it's in some ways key to learn good technique without the added variable of blade gap choices. Once you have the technique down, my hunch is that the bumps will have resolved themselves. So my recommendation: go with that HD. Once RAD hits you can branch out to some of the turn-to-open (TTO) adjustable stuff.

+1. Excellent words of wisdom from the Gruder. Technique is going to be the key to getting rid of those bumps. I would highly recommend a Merkur HD. The fewer variables you have to work with at the beginning, the easier it will be to improve your technique.

And welcome to B&B!!!!

[Bulldawg]

I'd also appreciate any suggestions and tips on razor and blade choices and shaving techniques especially useful to African Americans with razor bump problems.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Dawgneck, as an African American with razor bump problems I've had great success with the Merkur HD due in large part to this site and the Mantic videos. Prior to using the Merkur HD, I had horrible experiences with multiblade cartridges :angry: Like most black guys, I resorted to shaving with an electric razor but razor bumps were still a problem :thumbdown I've been using the Merkur HD for 1 month now and have been getting great shaves consistently after about a 1 week learning curve :biggrin: All razor bumps have cleared up, no burn, no irritation. I've found that the specialty products marketed to African Americans (Bump Stop, Hi Time, Bump Patrol,....etc) such as masks, shave gel, bump treatment are unecessary when good form and technique are utilized. I've included some info below that has worked for me:

- control your variables. For example don't try new shaving cream and blade at the same time
- Merkur blades almost made me give up wetshaving. they would randomly go from decent shaves to causing irritation, ingrowns, burn...etc. My assumption was that the would make a good blade since they make a great razor....wrong! The day I switched to Derbys was the day I knew I was in business :cool:
- If you go with an HD, hold it at the tip so no pressure will be applied.
- I am still not brave enough to attempt an ATG pass
- respecting the learning curve (angles, lather hydration, variables) has helped a lot.

Good luck with everything!!! :smile:

[SilkySmooth]

Welcome aboard!

[btheath294]

Read, Research, and Learn here. I'm still new to this but with a blessed past of having a dad who taught me years ago,and the guys here, I caught on very quickly. Glad to have you.

[SRock]

Welcome to the B&B! I am not African American but for years I did have irritation along my neck, not quite razor bumps or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, but very similar. Switching to the DE full time completely eliminated all of my irritation in just three days.

Best of luck to you, this is the right place to find all the information you need.

[Dawgneck]

OK, you guys know what you are talking about....

First, the eBay price for the used Fat Boy has reached $37 with 12 hours left to bid.... I know the price will exceed $45, and this is before shipping.

Second, the Merkur HD has received nothing but rave reviews and is highly recommended by everyone. I haven't read a single negative review yet on B&B....

I'm sold. I located a Merkur HD for $29.50 and will purchase it (and the starter set of blades a few of you suggested) in the morning (it is 4:47am right now).

I read the post on the bump fighter disposables but haven't ran across any lately. I will hunt a few down and use them as suggested....

Thanks for the single blade cartridge suggestion, but I have decided to go DE and skip all expensive cartridges.

Thanks to everyone for the welcomes, suggestions and tips.

I will post my results (and possibly a few before-and-after pics) in a new forum soon, and I will continue reading your suggestions here while I await my razor.

[cvac]

Dawg, the Bic sensitives are single blade disposables. They run about $3 for a pack of 10. I'm a dedicated DE user but these are good to have around.

[LastManStanding]

Dawg,
Welcome to B&B! I am an African American as well and when I started this DE shaving it was due to fighting ingrown hairs and other problems I was having with the multi-bladed cartridge messes as you well know. It sounds like you are on the right track as I currently own (and love) a merkur HD. Mantic's videos definitely help a lot with teaching proper technique and giving excellent tips for getting started.

My first few shaves I didn't concentrate too hard on the ingrown hairs too much as I knew with proper patience and care they would all but disappear. Focus instead on getting the hairs out over the course of a couple of shaves (my wife assisted with this). I'd suggest that you (gently) scrub your face to try and get some of the ingrown hairs at the surface out and start off slow, eventually all but the deepest will be free and you can carefully use tweezers (do not pluck the hair, just coax them out of the bump so they can be shaved) if those won't come out on their own. Also it is imperative that you shave a minimum of 2 passes in different directions (WTG and XTG suggested). This is because of the curly nature of our hair and if you shave in a single direction only you will leave a sharp barb that will curl under and into the skin. Shaving in two directions helps to prevent this greatly by cutting off that barb on the second pass.

I can also say that I personally suggest picking up a nice moisturizing after shave (I use nivea 90% of the time) and apply a face lotion to the area after that as well. I prefer a scentless moisturizer specifically for the face as it doesn't irritate the skin further and helps to soften the area up. This will help keep the skin supple and soft and allow it to heal better after and between shaves.

Again, welcome to B&B!

[ScottyD]

Greetings Mr. Dawg, Welcome to B&B. Nice to have you here, good luck on your new quest.

[riooso]

Welcome! I am probably older than you and till I started this wet shaving adventure I had poor skin for over 3 decades. I always thought all those blemishes were just oily skin and God knows what else. They turned out to be ingrown hairs, for the most part. I now have "normal" skin. You have made the right decision going to a DE and I think you will see some pretty dramatic differences in a month. Another added thing you get with using a DE or straight is that every time you shave you will be taking off all that dead skin and you will be amazed about how much you will feel "renewed" after a great shave!:w00t:

Let us know how you are doing and how your 1st month goes.


Take Care,
R

[Dawgneck]

Is it possible to catch RAD even before your first DE shave?

I purchased the Merkur HD online yesterday, then after being contacted by a B&B member, I purchased a Gillette Slim Handle from him today.

I'm off to a very "RAD" start and I'm sure it will only get worse.

Once I get all the items I need to start, I'll post some before and after pics in a separate thread soon after.

I can't wait to get started.

Thanks for the tips on resolving the ingrown hairs, everyone.


Dawg,
...

My first few shaves I didn't concentrate too hard on the ingrown hairs too much as I knew with proper patience and care they would all but disappear. Focus instead on getting the hairs out over the course of a couple of shaves (my wife assisted with this). I'd suggest that you (gently) scrub your face to try and get some of the ingrown hairs at the surface out and start off slow, eventually all but the deepest will be free and you can carefully use tweezers (do not pluck the hair, just coax them out of the bump so they can be shaved) if those won't come out on their own. Also it is imperative that you shave a minimum of 2 passes in different directions (WTG and XTG suggested). This is because of the curly nature of our hair and if you shave in a single direction only you will leave a sharp barb that will curl under and into the skin. Shaving in two directions helps to prevent this greatly by cutting off that barb on the second pass.

I can also say that I personally suggest picking up a nice moisturizing after shave (I use nivea 90% of the time) and apply a face lotion to the area after that as well. I prefer a scentless moisturizer specifically for the face as it doesn't irritate the skin further and helps to soften the area up. This will help keep the skin supple and soft and allow it to heal better after and between shaves.

Again, welcome to B&B!


LastManStanding, do you suggest a brush or normal face towel to scrub my face? If a brush, what type/model do you suggest? Do you suggest staying with two passes? Lastly, are you shaving daily or every other day?

cvac, are the bic sensitives the same type of razor as the bump fighters?

Bulldawg, thanks for your tips. Have you used any other blade outside the Merkur and Derby?

[SRock]

It does sound like you are off to a "RAD" start, LOL.

I'd suggest you get a blad sampler pack. What works for one often doesn't for another. You will need to try different blades and different blades in different razors. Time will narrow down your selections. It doesn't take long to figure out what you really like. Your skin will tell you!

[pbroddi]

[QUOTE=Dawgneck;963283]Is it possible to catch RAD even before your first DE shave?






LastManStanding, do you suggest a brush or normal face towel to scrub my face? If a brush, what type/model do you suggest? Do you suggest staying with two passes? Lastly, are you shaving daily or every other day?



Hi Dawg.

"I'm off to a very "RAD" start and I'm sure it will only get worse."
Be assured....It will only get worse!!!:w00t:

On the scrub issue, I would reccommend using a small inexpensive facial brush available from your drugstore combined with a natural, moisturizing soap. Scrub in small circles without pressing too hard, the night before a shave (if shaving every day) or in between shaves (if shaving every other day. This should remove layers of dead skin and help to lift out ingrowns gently. I use Liquid African Exfoliating Black Soap by a company called Shea Moisture. Without doubt, my favourite product, packed with Shea Butter and Jojoba Beads. Smells great too!! As others have said, use a good quality moisturizer on your shave area to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

I shave every day, because I find that after 2 days, my hairs start to curl back and irritate my skin, so it makes things easier. It really depends on how sensitive your skin is as to how often you shave. It's something I'm sure you'll work out.


All the best.:001_smile

[LastManStanding]

On the scrub issue, I would reccommend using a small inexpensive facial brush available from your drugstore combined with a natural, moisturizing soap. Scrub in small circles without pressing too hard, the night before a shave (if shaving every day) or in between shaves (if shaving every other day. This should remove layers of dead skin and help to lift out ingrowns gently.


This is excellent advice! I use either my facial brush or a soft towel and lightly scrub. I shave every other day because I found my skin too sensitive for everyday but I scrub and moisturize daily to stay ahead of any issues.

The key is to understand what is physically happening to your face that causes the irritation. When I was in the military I constantly had a shaving waiver due to not being properly versed in how to shave for me. Cartridges ate my face and electrics didn't get remotely close and cost a small fortune for me at the time. I saw an old photo of my grandfather looking very pristine and debonair during the Korean war and realized that African-American males were shaving irritation free back then, we just got away from it during the "microwave" age when people expected everything pre-packaged and fast. I talked with him and he was using DE's so I decided that I would convert for a bevy of reasons and haven't looked back since.

Additionally, I highly suggest looking closely at the direction of hair growth across your face. Once you have mapped your own face (its unique to everyone) you can focus on not causing irritation by going ATG.

A good blade is worth it's weight in gold as well. I personally use feathers exclusively as I find them consistently great blades. However, every manufacturer has a blade here and there that just isn't right for whatever reason. I used to try and get a good shave from these blades anyway but now I just throw them away. I've had blades that were good for 5 shaves and some that were replaced on the first shave. I just replace them when they don't feel right as I dont want to take a chance on irritating my face.

Trust the information you find here at B&B and don't give up during the learning period (great form takes a little time to develop) . Once you get it down you will enjoy luxurious, cost effective shaves.

[jonnyjon84]

Hello and Welcome Dawgneck!

I was in your same situation since I started shaving as a teen. I have literally tried everything to get rid of my razor bump / ingrown hair problems. I used a product called Tend Skin religiously for years and it worked pretty well at preventing bumps and ingrown hairs. The problem was it excessively dried out my skin, it stunk, made my skin look not-so-great, and it was expensive. I tried Bump Fighter razors, which worked OK, but didn't shave as close as I wanted and also didn't entirely prevent razor bumps. And of course, I've tried just about every Foil/Rotary electric shaver/trimmer known to man. None worked well for me.

I started using Extra Virgin Olive Oil to shave my face with a few weeks ago, and it has been the only thing that completely eliminated the problem for me. I could even shave with a Mach3 and Olive Oil if I wanted, but the DE offers a much better overall shave and makes my skin look and feel much better (especially the day after the shave). I also now only use Cetaphil to wash my face afterwards and apply a light moisturizer. (I think the key may be to keep the skin hydrated and soft so the hairs don't get trapped under the skin.)

I'll leave it to the seasoned pros to offer you tips on gear, technique, etc. but definitely try shaving with Olive Oil (just rinse with hot water first, apply and reapply a hot towel for a few minutes to soften the stubble a bit, apply a generous amount of oil, and shave).

Cheers,
Jon

[Broogiedad]

I think you will love the HD. I have one and use it for the majority of my shaves. As everyone has suggested, pay attention to proper pre-shave prep and no pressure, Let the razor do the work. Also, the blade sampler pack is the way to go. That way, you will find what works best for you (plus it's fun trying out different blades). Good luck and good shaving.

[Amyn]

Welcome to B&B and RAD and all other types of AD that tag along with it. ADs occur early and often.

I am not African American but The DE should help with the irritation, for me though I had to move to str8s to completely eliminate any irritation and bumps on my lower neck.

Enjoy the ride...

[Bulldawg]

Bulldawg, thanks for your tips. Have you used any other blade outside the Merkur and Derby?

I tried one shave with the Israelli Red Pack but cut that short when I felt pulling/tugging. I may try those again because I violated my own rule and tried a new cream at the same time. I don't think the cream (C&E Nomad) liked the heat from my Dirty Bird Scuttle.

I'm using the Gillette 7 o' clock (yellow pack) now and am having pretty good success. Right now they're running neck and neck with the Derbys.

The dreaded Feathers arrived in the mail today :eek: so I'll try those next.

Also ordered the Merkur 39c (barber slant pole) this weekend. We'll see how that goes :blush:

[Crag]

Hello and WELCOME!

Here (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13736) is a thread that I started over 2 years ago dealing with your same issues. Hope you find it helpful!

[Wilpar76]

I too am African American. I made the switch to DE for the same reasons you state. I have been DE shaving for almost 6 months now and as many others have stated, I don't know why I didn't start sooner.

Even though I am a newbie, I do caution you again diving in with a high end instrument. You should start with the HD just to get your technique down. You should notice a decent change after your first week of DE shaving. If possible, start when you don't have any bumps, or if the bumps are at a minimum. You may find that you will not need Tend Skin after a while. A good after shave balm and good face soap helped me. I still get bumps here and there but nothing like before. The shift to DE shaving changed my quality of living.

Again, welcome from one AA newbie to another.

[Boyextraordinare]

Out of curiosity, are you shaving WTG solely, or doing successive passes?

I think your best bet would be a Lord Tech Razor. It's ~10 USD and a miracle-worker.

I'm ingrown-prone and find this razor, used in conjunction with any blade, to make for perfect shaves - albeit XTG is as far as I'll go.

It's head size is perfect - non-bulky - so you can really pay attention to what you're shaving and the direction in which you're doing so.

As for removal of ingrowns, BHAs, AHAs and Aspirin Tonics may work, but you can't beat manual extraction.

[lesiki]

Hi all.. I've been lurking around these forums for a few months now, and as I finally have something to contribute I thought I'd join.

I've been struggling with razor bumps for years; I am not African American, just straight African :smile:.

When I started shaving, I used multi-blade cartridge razors which worked fine while my mane was more of a young teen fuzz, but once it thickened the bumps began.. eventually they were pretty bad and I had no solution for years. I tried everything I could get my hands on without research - more blades, less blades, electric, disposable.. nothing worked.

Then I came across this site and a few others recommending DE razors, and I got myself a Merkur HD. This was a big improvement, and after plenty of cuts and blood-loss I improved my technique a bit.. the bumps didn't go away all together though. Most bumps were on my neck, where the hair grows in all sorts of directions - I tried to map them but that's just impossible, I'd need a razor with milimeter precision to always shave WTG :bored:

In the summer last year, I forgot my HD at home in Kenya (I live in England), and replaced it with a Merkur Futur to try it, mainly because of it's adjustability.. I cannot recommend this razor highly enough!

I tried level 1.0 first, and have never changed it since. It's just so easy on my skin, and I get good shaves every time, with only the occasional bump here or there following rushed shaves.

Now, I tried the method shave, but over time I've customised it slightly. Here are my personal tips for anyone with hair like mine (extremely curly, growing in all sorts of directions on the neck):

1) Merkur Futur on the most conservative level - I'm sure the only reason my HD didn't fully satisfy me was because my technique is still amateurish. But with the Futur on this level, it's almost impossible to shave too aggressively, and it really helps with the angle as well - just roll from horizontal to the point where the blade just touches the whiskers.

2) Following the grain is good, but not the most important factor - I find that just concentrating on pressure (none at all), angle (between handle and face should be close to 90 degrees), stroke length (do not take long, sweeping strokes; short, smooth ones) are the most important thing. When I tried too much to follow my confusing grain, I struggled to find any pattern. What I do now is one pass North to South (everywhere) which usually suffices, then maybe a South - North pass under the neck in stubborn spots

That's all.

I use Wilkinson Sword shaving soap and brush and Nivea for men extra sensitive aftershave balm. Nothing fancy. Oh, and Tend Skin Solution for when those occasional bumps do pop up. I've tried so many different ingrown hair solutions, this one actually worked for me. Smells horrid though.
I know experts' opinions may vary and what I've suggested is not the method shave, but in my experience it's given me great shaves without irritation, so I'd recommend giving it a try. Get a Futur!

And thanks to everyone who's left information on here that helped me in the past.. I read so many threads and gathered so much different information so I can't really point at just one post, but to all of you - thank you very much, this forum helped me enjoy shaving and get good results for the first time in my life. :thumbup1:

[Boyextraordinare]

Don't get a big Futur. It's a waste.

Get a lower-priced DE with a well-designed head: the Lord Tech and its long-handled counterpart are phenomenal. BIC Sensitives, as cvac suggested, are also excellent for what they are - throwaways - and require no learning curve.

The Lord Tech I'm speaking of has a head on it designed in such a way that making the conversion from cartridge to DE is a breeze. No fixed-headed Merkur can offer you this in the same capacity.

With ingrowns, it's a matter of mechanics: handling the razor with a hand steady and gentle may eliminate any undue razor burn or nicking, but if you're ingrown-prone and shaving hairs below your skin's surface, you'll be getting ingrowns.

All the prep. in the world can't outdo this simple science.

[cvac]

cvac, are the bic sensitives the same type of razor as the bump fighters?



No, bic sensitives don't have the wire guard that the bump fighters do. I've never tried bump fighters, btw. Anyway, bic sensitives are simple plastic disposables that only have one blade to cut with, instead of 2/3/4 like most modern disposable razors. Since the bics set the angle for you b/c of the curved head, there isn't a learning curve like with the DE. I would caution you not to rush your shave too much no matter what you are shave with. But I find I can shave with a bic sensitive and aveeno cream in under ten minutes with no cuts if I'm careful. A DE shave for me takes 30 minutes at least.

Dawg, is your Gillette slim an adjustable razor? If so, that's what I started with, but it was a black handled one which is called the super. I liked it so much I bought a chrome slim adj. that is on the way. I'm just learning to shave with a more aggro fixed head razor now, after a few months. Definitely takes more care than the slim on a 1-3 setting. In general, I'm a fan of adjustable razors and I think lesiki has a point about the ability to fine tune to a mild setting. I think the mild setting works best with a very sharp blade.

[cammyfive]

Hi Dawgneck........WELCOME!!!!!!

While I am not an African-American, I, like most others here have been fighting the, until recently, seemingly uphill battle against ingrown hairs. I used a Mach3 Turbo razor for a while and tried all manner of gels and other drug store riff-raff. I knew that I was eventually going to the 100% DE/cream soon, but wanted to 'train' my face in stages. I then moved to a Bump Figher razor with Trac II blades to I could get used to a head that didn't pivot. That was useful I think. Long story short.....I had my second full DE shave today and got a VERY close shave with absolutely minimal irritation (a few nicks bc of technique) and wont be going back!

All of that being said......if you are interested, I feel this would be a fine occassion to do my first P.I.F. (Pay It Forward). I would be willing to send you free of charge the Bump Fighter razor, six new Trac II blades, a used Body Shop Synthetic brush, and a tube of 80% or so full C.O. Bigelow (Proraso Green) shave cream. This might be a good 'first step' to a better shave if you are still waiting for your other supplies to come in or just want to take baby steps. Let me know if you are interested!

[jonnyjon84]

Has anyone else tried shaving with just plain ol' Olive Oil? It has literally been the only thing that has completely eliminated my razor bumps and ingrown hairs. I shave with a Merkur Futur on setting 4.5 (very aggressive), and have yet to get one nick or ingrown hair.

When I started shaving a few weeks ago with my Merkur Futur, I was using lather and a badger hair brush (which I'll be selling shortly) and was still getting some razor bumps on one side of my neck. Switching to "oil shaving" completely got rid of those bumps and has eliminated the problem altogether for me. I can literally make as many passes as I want with oil (which you'll need to do in order to get a closer shave), but after the shave there is absolutely NO irritation. And most importantly, the day after there are no razor bumps or ingrowns. My neck does not itch at all like it normally would either the day after.

I'm still a newbie, so is there anyone else with more experience who only shaves with oil, who has found it to work amazingly well at preventing/eliminating razor bumps and ingrown hairs?

[Ru4scuba?]

Welcome to B&B!
As a newb to DE shaving myself, I can honestly say there is truth to the fact that:
A) You'll find a ton of folks to help you craft your shave and
B) You'll find every product under the sun here to make the perfect fit for you

Glad to have you! As a newb, I can't offer advice, but I can surely tough it out with you. From what I've been told, the first DE shave isn't the best...my best advice is dont get discouraged! Stick with it.

[cammyfive]

Has anyone else tried shaving with just plain ol' Olive Oil? It has literally been the only thing that has completely eliminated my razor bumps and ingrown hairs. I shave with a Merkur Futur on setting 4.5 (very aggressive), and have yet to get one nick or ingrown hair.

When I started shaving a few weeks ago with my Merkur Futur, I was using lather and a badger hair brush (which I'll be selling shortly) and was still getting some razor bumps on one side of my neck. Switching to "oil shaving" completely got rid of those bumps and has eliminated the problem altogether for me. I can literally make as many passes as I want with oil (which you'll need to do in order to get a closer shave), but after the shave there is absolutely NO irritation. And most importantly, the day after there are no razor bumps or ingrowns. My neck does not itch at all like it normally would either the day after.

I'm still a newbie, so is there anyone else with more experience who only shaves with oil, who has found it to work amazingly well at preventing/eliminating razor bumps and ingrown hairs?

I'm not sure how many use olive oil per se, but I know there are a number that use preshave oil for that purpose.

[Dawgneck]

Everyone, thanks for your posts! I’m getting a lot of good info from all of you while I wait for the gear to arrive.

I believe I’ve reached a point where Skin Tight / Tend Skin can’t help anymore. I hope the DE will take my skin to the next level.

Pbroddi and LastManStanding, I have already started using your prep tips. Thanks.

Jonnyjon84, I tried preshave oil and straight oil before, but my cartridges got dull after one or two shaves and were always hard to clean. I will try your technique with the DE blade at least once and see how it works for me.

BullDawg, how are those feathers working for you?

Crag, I read that thread before you posted your suggestion. It was very informative. Thanks.

Boyextraordinare, WTG solely. XTG and ATG always chopped my face and neck to pieces, but remember I was using a 5-blade Fusion cartridge.

Lesiki and Boyextraordinare, since I already purchased the Slim and HD, I’d like to try these out for a while before looking at other razors. Thanks for the tips, though. If the Slim and HD don’t work for me, I’ll revisit your suggestions.

CVAC, yes, the Slim is an adjustable razor. It should arrive any day now. I’m sure I’ll start it out at 1 and ease upward from there.

Cammyfive, I’m interested in your Pay It Forward offer but I don’t know what the P.I.F. concept is? Can you please explain it to me?

[Boyextraordinare]

I think you'll end up doing well.

[cvac]

CVAC, yes, the Slim is an adjustable razor. It should arrive any day now. I’m sure I’ll start it out at 1 and ease upward from there.



Make sure you open the buttefly doors before adjusting, otherwise the adjustment won't work. 1 is super mild. I'd start with 2 or 3 and see how that goes. Sharp blades work well on this setting for me. (I mean blades that are sharp, not "sharp brand" blades, never tried those)

Good luck.

[pbroddi]

You're most welcome Dawg.

You've had lots of great advice, hope it all works out for you. (I'm sure it will:001_smile)

My 67 Slim Adjustable just arrived 10 minutes ago! Oh, baby.......:biggrin:

[Pogo]

Dawgneck: Welcome to the fraternity.

Visit this site for a good overview: http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pseudofolliculitis.html.

Here is a quotation from the Bic Website: "If you suffer from razor bumps or ingrown hairs (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or PFB), Dermatologists [sic] recommend using a single-blade shaver, such as the BIC Classic Sensitive Shaver™."

The general principle is don't shave too close. This excludes multiple-blade razors, multiple passes, against-the-grain, across-the-grain, skin stretching, and aggressive settings on adjustable razors.

The advise of ClubmanRob apropos the Bump Fighter razor may be your solution. Bump Fighter products are, however, difficult to find.

Personally, I suggest avoiding the Merkur Futur and Merkur Vision. There are overpriced, fiddly to load and maintain, way too heavy, and their smooth surfaces are difficult to grip with wet hands. I found Merkur plating substandard; it comes off in chips.

I am told that, in some jobs, the problem can be so intractable that afflicted men have gotten letters from their physicians to excuse them from shaving and allowing them to grow beards.

Have you tried a depilatory yet? This link may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GejXtVkwhyk.

Electric products may help. See these sites: http://www.wahl-store.com/product_detail.asp?T1=WAH%207060-700, and http://www.wahl-store.com/product_detail.asp?T1=WAH%209940-600.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Pogo

[Bulldawg]

[QUOTE=Dawgneck;969208]
BullDawg, how are those feathers working for you?

Hey Dawgneck, the Feathers worked out so well over the last few days that I've ordered 100 ($37 shipped from Canada from a guy on ebay). Apparently they aren't as scary as some people say when combined with proper prep and good form and technique. My Merkur Barber Pole Slant should arrive next week. We'll see how that goes :001_smile

Also, thanks to the poster that recommended exfoliating the night before a shave with Liquid African Black Soap. I purchased some (along with a loofa) based on your advice and it has worked extremely well :thumbup1:

[Bulldawg]

Thanks Proddi for the advice on exfoliating the night before with Liquid Black African Soap (got that from the older post referenced by Crag). I'm also trying the Aloe Vera as you recommended :thumbup1:

Thanks Crag for linking back to that original disucssion thread from a couple years ago. Great info there :thumbup1:

[LastManStanding]

Your very welcome Dawg. That's what we are here for to share ideas, trial and error and provide that information to the public. Good luck a stick with it as it will get easier and more enjoyable.

[cammyfive]

Everyone, thanks for your posts! I’m getting a lot of good info from all of you while I wait for the gear to arrive.

I believe I’ve reached a point where Skin Tight / Tend Skin can’t help anymore. I hope the DE will take my skin to the next level.

Pbroddi and LastManStanding, I have already started using your prep tips. Thanks.

Jonnyjon84, I tried preshave oil and straight oil before, but my cartridges got dull after one or two shaves and were always hard to clean. I will try your technique with the DE blade at least once and see how it works for me.

BullDawg, how are those feathers working for you?

Crag, I read that thread before you posted your suggestion. It was very informative. Thanks.

Boyextraordinare, WTG solely. XTG and ATG always chopped my face and neck to pieces, but remember I was using a 5-blade Fusion cartridge.

Lesiki and Boyextraordinare, since I already purchased the Slim and HD, I’d like to try these out for a while before looking at other razors. Thanks for the tips, though. If the Slim and HD don’t work for me, I’ll revisit your suggestions.

CVAC, yes, the Slim is an adjustable razor. It should arrive any day now. I’m sure I’ll start it out at 1 and ease upward from there.

Cammyfive, I’m interested in your Pay It Forward offer but I don’t know what the P.I.F. concept is? Can you please explain it to me?

Pay It Forward, as I understand it, is a concept where one member of this board helps out without charge another member that is usually new or newer at this whole wet-shaving hobby. The unspoken understanding is that someday, if you are in a position to help out another member (i.e. by donating some no longer used items), you would do so in the spirit of continuing to 'pay it forward'. That's what makes this board so great in my opinion.

[Rousey]

Welcome Dawg. I live in the "sticks" in England and had no chance of handling a DE, so I went for the HD after reading all the good reviews. The HD is fantastic; I am getting the best, closest and most enjoyable shaves of my life. For me the combination of HD and Derbys has proved unbeatable. But the only others blades I have tried are Persona and Merkurs, which IMO were not as good as Derbys.

[pbroddi]

Thanks Proddi for the advice on exfoliating the night before with Liquid Black African Soap (got that from the older post referenced by Crag). I'm also trying the Aloe Vera as you recommended :thumbup1:

Thanks Crag for linking back to that original disucssion thread from a couple years ago. Great info there :thumbup1:

You're welcome.

The liquid black soap is my favourite product. It's so versitile, you can shower or bathe in it, wash your hair.....hell, even my wife uses it as a make up remover!! Smells fantastic! People I've recommended it to tell me they've had to hide it from their families because everyone wants some!:w00t:

If the aloe vera gel is too gooey, try aloe juice from your health food store. works just as well.

[LBC Kel]

I am a Newbie to wet shaving as well. I have only been using a DE for 2 months. I too am African American and switched in order to clear up some ingrown hairs. I have two DE razors, the Vision and Futur. I like the weight and feel of the Futur more. They both shave about the same, the Futur is just easier to handle.

[Dawgneck]

Today was very interesting.

First, my wife caught me before my morning shower and exclaims, "Wow, your neck is really improving". A quick look in the mirror confirms this. Even though I thought the Skin Tight solution hit a wall, I continued applying it daily and now my skin is about 90-95% bump free.

Nice :thumbup1:

I started using Skin Tight Extra Strength two weeks ago, twice a day (the package suggests 3 times a day) and I've used half the 4 fl oz bottle.

Now I believe my face is truly ready for a DE blade. I don't want to be a slave to Skin Tight, so hopefully the DE shave will keep me clear.

Second, I found the Bump Fighter razor at Walmart this afternoon. I went there looking for fishing lures and saw the razor sitting on a box in the sporting goods section, so I purchased it.

If DE shaving somehow aggravates the bumps again, I'll use the bump fighter razor and Skin Tight to get them under control.


Pay It Forward, as I understand it, is a concept where one member of this board helps out without charge another member that is usually new or newer at this whole wet-shaving hobby. The unspoken understanding is that someday, if you are in a position to help out another member (i.e. by donating some no longer used items), you would do so in the spirit of continuing to 'pay it forward'. That's what makes this board so great in my opinion.

I like that concept. I believe I may have a few after shaves and creams I can share with others as well.

Thanks for the offer, cammyfive, but as noted above, I found the Bump Fighter razors and I think my bump problem is currently under control, so I'll let another member benefit from your generosity.

Later, guys.

[ProphetNoir]

Welcome to B&B!
As another African-American member, I always enjoy coming here to seek and gain additional knowledge. You have been getting some excellent advice here and you will soon find that it doesn't ever end. I would like to suggest that you pay very careful attention to the sticky posts regarding prep and lather building techniques. One other thing that I found to be extremely helpful was to learn correct angle by using a disposable SINGLE BLADED shaver. After a lot of searching I chose the Bic Metal Guard as my "training wheel". I couldn't find them in any stores so I ordered some from Amazon. I got a dozen packs of five (60 shavers total). I started out getting 2 - 3 shaves out of each one, but soon began to toss them after one shave only. I don't get BBS, and I really don't expect to even with the DE. I am very pleased to get what is abbreviated to be a DFS (Damn Fine Shave) almost every time. But, prep and good lather building technique cannot be overstressed. I shave at night and only every other day, but the advice about giving yourself a mild exfoliation with a brush or mild loofah or pad is something I agree with strongly. I will generally do that on the morning I plan to shave. Beyond that I avoid washing my face with soap on a daily basis because it does dry my skin.
Also I limit myself to only two shaving creams. My personal preferences are Nancy Boy (I have both the Signature and Replenishing) and Castle Forbes Lavendar. There is a learning curve with every aspect of wet shaving. You will discover how to do each of the things best for yourself, but all of them are equally important. It all begins and ends with skin care though. Whatever happens, you will find yourself here often. The learning never ends, and in time you will find yourself sharing what you have learned on your own with others.
My best to you.

Mason

[Dawgneck]

I received the Slim Handle from a B&B member today. The razor is in great shape but it is much smaller than I imagined.
I also received a message from the online store I purchased the HD from. They advised the razor was actually back ordered. I believe I could have been advised earlier, so I canceled my complete order and will purchase a sampler blade package from another online dealer.

I will use the Slim Handle exclusively for awhile before purchasing a second razor. Who knows, I might not need another razor.

ProphetNoir:

Thanks for sharing your tips and experiences.

[Boyextraordinare]

You're lucky, Dawg. That Slim is a phenomenal razor; don't believe all the Merkur hype.

Pretty as it is, the HD will disappoint you after you've played around with the Slim.

[Dawgneck]

I hope you're correct, Boyextraordinare.

I love the build of the slim handle. I believe if I drop it in the shower it will break the floor tiles.

As of this moment, I'm practicing my technique without a blade :wink:

I ordered the $13.75 sampler pack, Proraso and Taylor of Old Bond St shaving creams from West Coast Shaving, based on reviews and suggestions here on B&B.

Any day now....

[ProphetNoir]

ProphetNoir:

Thanks for sharing your tips and experiences.

NP Dawg. Just paying it forward. One day soon you will do the same for another.

M

[The_Danish_Guy]

You might wanna look at this = http://www.softsheen-carson.com/_us/_en/products/mensgrooming/magicshave.aspx

I got an african american friend who uses this, and it works!! :001_smile



Kind regards Lars Jensen :001_005: