ARGH! MY FACE IT BURNS! :crying:

[tantousha]

Alright... so I've been wetshaving since March of this year and I think I've forgotten a step or something because the most recent shaves have been hit or miss. I'll get the occasional good one but most end up rough, red and breaking out. It's gotten to the point where if I shave I pretty much can't again for at least a couple days to let the skin heal.

The problem arose over the summer as I had to move 3 times (I finished my degree in Ottawa so I moved back to Vancouver with my family who was in the process of moving the family home and then finally moving to Japan to join my fiancee teaching English there). With all that moving and a job that doesn't require me to be clean shaven I let shaving fall out of my daily routine (sad, I know). Anyways, now that I'm in Japan and about to start a new job, I need to fix my shaving conundrum yesterday.

I've used quite an array over products, but drastically narrowed down my kit since the move to Japan had to be light (everything for one year had to fit into two 50lb suitcases).

Razor: Merkur HD
Blades: either Feather or Israeli Personna
Pre: Proraso Pre/Post or Kiehl's shaving oil
Creams: Proraso, Florena sensitive, Trumper's Lime.
Soaps: Tabac, C&E Nomad, TSD Lavender
After: Jack Black Post shave gel, Kiehl's Razor bump eliminator, Proraso pre/post

I ONLY shave after a hot shower, washing my face thoroughly (body shop Manca root face wash), leaving the bathroom hot and steamy (Japanese bathrooms are TINY so this is easy). slap on some Proraso pre/post. Whip up a nice lather and then do the four pass shave (down, side, other side, up). Cold water rinse and some sort of after-shave balm...

Going against the grain has always been a bit rough for me. The only blade that cuts my stubble going against the grain easily is the feather and even then only during the blade's first shave. Any other blades (including the IPs, though they're tolerable) drag along the stubble, skipping and generally leaving my face red and awful. I have a feeling this is the root of my problem but I'm not sure how to deal with it. Today I tried pulling the skin taught and that only made it rougher as my face now feels burning and swollen. I'm not using any pressure at all, as demonstrated by the fact that I sometimes have patches left under my chin... but I dare not go back and try another pass.

I think I'm just cursed with really stiff stubble. If I don't go ATG than it leaves me looking like I shaved yesterday. I've been thinking of splurging on a slant razor, but now that I'm in Japan that's a major undertaking.

SO, does anyone have any suggestions? critiques? comments? Argh?

[thunderball]

Alright... so I've been wetshaving since March of this year and I think I've forgotten a step or something because the most recent shaves have been hit or miss. I'll get the occasional good one but most end up rough, red and breaking out. It's gotten to the point where if I shave I pretty much can't again for at least a couple days to let the skin heal.

The problem arose over the summer as I had to move 3 times (I finished my degree in Ottawa so I moved back to Vancouver with my family who was in the process of moving the family home and then finally moving to Japan to join my fiancee teaching English there). With all that moving and a job that doesn't require me to be clean shaven I let shaving fall out of my daily routine (sad, I know). Anyways, now that I'm in Japan and about to start a new job, I need to fix my shaving conundrum yesterday.

I've used quite an array over products, but drastically narrowed down my kit since the move to Japan had to be light (everything for one year had to fit into two 50lb suitcases).

Razor: Merkur HD
Blades: either Feather or Israeli Personna
Pre: Proraso Pre/Post or Kiehl's shaving oil
Creams: Proraso, Florena sensitive, Trumper's Lime.
Soaps: Tabac, C&E Nomad, TSD Lavender
After: Jack Black Post shave gel, Kiehl's Razor bump eliminator, Proraso pre/post

I ONLY shave after a hot shower, washing my face thoroughly (body shop Manca root face wash), leaving the bathroom hot and steamy (Japanese bathrooms are TINY so this is easy). slap on some Proraso pre/post. Whip up a nice lather and then do the four pass shave (down, side, other side, up). Cold water rinse and some sort of after-shave balm...

Going against the grain has always been a bit rough for me. The only blade that cuts my stubble going against the grain easily is the feather and even then only during the blade's first shave. Any other blades (including the IPs, though they're tolerable) drag along the stubble, skipping and generally leaving my face red and awful. I have a feeling this is the root of my problem but I'm not sure how to deal with it. Today I tried pulling the skin taught and that only made it rougher as my face now feels burning and swollen. I'm not using any pressure at all, as demonstrated by the fact that I sometimes have patches left under my chin... but I dare not go back and try another pass.

I think I'm just cursed with really stiff stubble. If I don't go ATG than it leaves me looking like I shaved yesterday. I've been thinking of splurging on a slant razor, but now that I'm in Japan that's a major undertaking.

SO, does anyone have any suggestions? critiques? comments? Argh?

Hmmm...for me anyway, if I shave right after washing my face in a hot shower I get similar results. I think my face is just too dried out after washing (but I know lots of guys do it without any problems at all). And I also don't find the shower hot enough to really soften my tough stubble so I use REALLY hot towels for at least three minutes each morning before shaving. Other than that I can't really think of what might be wrong but possibly:

1) You're using too much pressure?
2) Those blades don't work for you?
3) One of the products in your lineup is causing a reaction?
4) 4 passes is too many for your skin?

Your blade shouldn't be skipping on a 4th pass ATG...

[Miles]

May I humbly suggest that you take a look at the highly touted Kyle's Prep thread for additions to your routine that may afford you a better experience.

Here is a link for you: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...highlight=prep

Having tried the outlined prep techniques, I can endorse them as a quality method for a successful happy shaving situation.

Good luck!

[mdunn]

could be the water?

[thunderball]

If you PM me your address I could send you a few different types of blades to try (if you haven't already).

[Kyle Hyde]

I have exactly the same problem as you. My shaves are hit and miss with more misses. I end up with irritation, burn, redness, and bumps and I've been at for more than a year. I tried a slant and it found it didn't slice through the hair on ATG any easier than any other razor.

Now I'm using a Slim on 9 for the first WTG pass. I then do a pass that's between a WTG and XTG on a lower setting (still playing with it to find which is better), and then I get a little less tugging on an ATG. Like you, if I don't do an ATG despite the irritation it usually causes, I might as well not shave because it looks like I didn't.

A lot of people around here seem to hate on them, but I've been getting better results with Treet Durasharp blades. They are carbon steel, and supposedly they are better for some guys (at least that's what Gillette said back in the day). If you send me your address, I can send you 1 or 2 to try out.

[SRock]

I think many people go through this either after getting comfortable with their routine or taking a break from daily shaving. Sounds like a pressure issue, which I think is the one thing that is easily overlooked even by veteran wet shavers.

[tantousha]

Lots of food for thought. Thanks guys!

I'll definitely go over Kyle's prep again and maybe watch Mantic's videos to see what's missing. I might try less pressure... I always try to keep pressure in mind while shaving because I know what too much can do, but maybe over time I've slowly increased the amount of pressure without realizing it.

So for SlagleRock and thunderball... what are you shaving sources in Japan? I realize that I'm on the opposite end of Honshu from SlagleRock, but I am pretty close to thunderball (and will be in Osaka for New Years).

I might take you up on your offer thunderball, but I've already tried Derby, Lord, Blue Bird, Feather, Israeli Personna, Personna redpacks, and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten....

Oh well, once again, thanks for all your help guys!

[thunderball]

Lots of food for thought. Thanks guys!

I'll definitely go over Kyle's prep again and maybe watch Mantic's videos to see what's missing. I might try less pressure... I always try to keep pressure in mind while shaving because I know what too much can do, but maybe over time I've slowly increased the amount of pressure without realizing it.

So for SlagleRock and thunderball... what are you shaving sources in Japan? I realize that I'm on the opposite end of Honshu from SlagleRock, but I am pretty close to thunderball (and will be in Osaka for New Years).

I might take you up on your offer thunderball, but I've already tried Derby, Lord, Blue Bird, Feather, Israeli Personna, Personna redpacks, and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten....

Oh well, once again, thanks for all your help guys!

To be honest I don't get much of my shave stuff here in Japan, the exceptions being Feather blades and a few different aftershaves. I have seen the odd Floris or Truefitt & Hill booth in some department stores but the stuff is generally overpriced. Most of my stuff comes either from the 'net or from back home every summer.

[SRock]

Lots of food for thought. Thanks guys!

I'll definitely go over Kyle's prep again and maybe watch Mantic's videos to see what's missing. I might try less pressure... I always try to keep pressure in mind while shaving because I know what too much can do, but maybe over time I've slowly increased the amount of pressure without realizing it.

So for SlagleRock and thunderball... what are you shaving sources in Japan? I realize that I'm on the opposite end of Honshu from SlagleRock, but I am pretty close to thunderball (and will be in Osaka for New Years).

I might take you up on your offer thunderball, but I've already tried Derby, Lord, Blue Bird, Feather, Israeli Personna, Personna redpacks, and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten....

Oh well, once again, thanks for all your help guys!

Like Dave said below, I get 99% of my shave goodies online.

To be honest I don't get much of my shave stuff here in Japan, the exceptions being Feather blades and a few different aftershaves. I have seen the odd Floris or Truefitt & Hill booth in some department stores but the stuff is generally overpriced. Most of my stuff comes either from the 'net or from back home every summer.

[ShaveAddict]

I had the same problem as you, when i tried to go ATG.
I think you should drop that and go for WTG or North to South pass.
I have a very tough beard and whit proper blade and without going ATG i get DFS everyday.
Going ATG for me was a total mess, some people skin just can't handle that, specially if you have sensitive skin.

[andrewinman]

I definately agree with no ATG, find a way around it. Also Feathers burn my skin and my beard laughs at Red Personnas. I would keep looking for THAT blade. My 2 cents.

Also if your going to touch your face while shaving, very gently flatten your skin in the areas you cannot get a tightening by just using facial muscles and head movements. Be careful with the stretching.

Hope your woes end in time!

[tantousha]

Alrighty... so woke up late today and had to forgo the shower... that said, I needed to shave as I looked a caveman and probably would've given my Japanese boss a heart attack.

I decided to do Kyle's Prep seeing as how I wasn't going to be showering and it was also suggested as a way of overcoming the issues I mentioned earlier. Unfortunately in following it, I forgot to put on any pre-shave ointment like Proraso Pre/post or Kiehl's shave oil. Despite this blunder I managed to have a pretty decent shave (didn't go ATG because I knew by the third pass my skin wasn't protected enough, I could feel it). It is now a couple hours later and I don't have any irritation and it was still surprisingly close despite the lack of ATG. This gives me a renewed sense of hope!

So how do you guys mix something like Proraso Pre/post into Kyle's Prep? Before that first lather? In place of that lather? Hmm...

[Sarfa]

So for SlagleRock and thunderball... what are you shaving sources in Japan? I realize that I'm on the opposite end of Honshu from SlagleRock, but I am pretty close to thunderball (and will be in Osaka for New Years).

Hey Alex,

Nihon he yokoso! Welcome to Japan!

I second both SlagleRock and Thunderball above (I guess that means that I'm "thirding" and not seconding, but anyway... ) and say that you're going to have to turn to the net to get stuff. Shipping prices can be a pain, but I've found that you can often negotiate int'l shipping prices by email beforehand. USPS has a flat rate box (up to 4 lbs., I think) that ships to Japan in about a week for $12, which is a good deal if you can have them stuff a bunch of soaps, creams, etc. in there. Many vendors are more than happy to use this, if you ask.

There are also a few threads here on B&B that discuss buying stuff in Japan. Here's one. Page three of that thread is especially helpful.

I often think that it might be worth it to get a huge order together that all of us in Japan get it on and then split the cost!

Good luck!

-Sarfa

[waxwing23]

I think many people go through this either after getting comfortable with their routine or taking a break from daily shaving. Sounds like a pressure issue, which I think is the one thing that is easily overlooked even by veteran wet shavers.

Once I learned that less and less pressure is not the same as no pressure my shaves completely changed.A no pressure shave will not hurt you. Even the lightest pressure can cause razor burn. You wont know what you have been doing wrong until the first time you do it right