How to approach hairs that grow in different direction

[Typesh05]

Hi all, quick question...

My trouble area (redness, nicks, irritation etc.) seems to be on one side of my throat/neck area. I noticed that this area grows differently than the rest of my face...to the right.

On the first pass, do I still shave N to S, or do I shave with the grain and go W to E? What about the second pass?

Thanks-

[Mink]

I don't mean to sound glib, but you'll probably need to try several ways to see which works best. I doubt anyone can tell you confidently what the right way "should" be. If your whiskers are growing E-W or W-E, then both the N-S and S-N passes are XTG and shouldn't irritate you badly. Be careful about going over the area too much - or even too quickly between passes. I would also add that it's the tricky areas that will significantly affect your choice in blades because you will often find that there are only a few blades that can shave the trickier areas well.

[BlackBard]

I don't mean to sound glib, but you'll probably need to try several ways to see which works best. I doubt anyone can tell you confidently what the right way "should" be. If your whiskers are growing E-W or W-E, then both the N-S and S-N passes are XTG and shouldn't irritate you badly. Be careful about going over the area too much - or even too quickly between passes. I would also add that it's the tricky areas that will significantly affect your choice in blades because you will often find that there are only a few blades that can shave the trickier areas well.

Excellent advice. Mapping your own beard growth patterns is an important component of getting a better shave. Don't over do it on a problem area right away. Practice will give improved results over time.

[JPM]

I don't mean to sound glib, but you'll probably need to try several ways to see which works best. I doubt anyone can tell you confidently what the right way "should" be. If your whiskers are growing E-W or W-E, then both the N-S and S-N passes are XTG and shouldn't irritate you badly. Be careful about going over the area too much - or even too quickly between passes. I would also add that it's the tricky areas that will significantly affect your choice in blades because you will often find that there are only a few blades that can shave the trickier areas well.

+1. The throat area is my trouble spot as well. I've found which way the grain grows and modified my approach so I can do one WTG and then one ATG (very carefully). It has helped.

[O.G.]

It would appear that multiple passes are the key to hitting all the areas correctly. One direction may lobb a few hairs off incorrectly while covering a large area the the next pass would get those hairs that were missed and another pass or two would clean that all up because the hairs are at an manageable length to not be pulled out that will cause irritaion. The main thing is take it slow, the hairs are scared of the sharp edge thats why they scream when they are cut at the right angle and speed and you don't.