Stretching

**mckolit** · 12-02-2009, 10:55 AM

I just watched mantic's video on over stretching the skin and how that would lead to ingrown hairs. To confuse me some, I just went through a straight razor 'how to' and the dude was stretching his face big time. Why would over stretching with a safety razor be a concern but not when using a straight?

**Bertilak** · 12-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by mckolit

I just watched mantic's video on over stretching the skin and how that would lead to ingrown hairs. To confuse me some, I just went through a straight razor 'how to' and the dude was stretching his face big time. Why would over stretching with a safety razor be a concern but not when using a straight?

I don't know. I do know that it helps immensely with straight shaving. In most places I can get enough of a stretch just by making "funny faces" and head-tilt but I do also use my opposite hand in some places.

**JPM** · 12-02-2009, 01:33 PM

I think it is because when you shave with a straight you remove so much skin there is no chance of an ingrown hair.

Just kidding, I have no idea but it is an interesting question.

**kingfisher** · 12-02-2009, 01:42 PM

Instructional pamphlets that were included with DE razors when they were introduced always showed people gently stretching the skin. I do it every day.

**NatJag** · 12-02-2009, 02:42 PM

I hold my skin so it stays where it is, rather than the blade pushing it. If that makes any sense.

**Gruder** · 12-02-2009, 05:00 PM

This strikes me as an area where many would disagree with mantic. Too much stretching can certainly bad, but some degree I'd wager it's part of most everyone's routine.

**minstrel** · 12-03-2009, 01:25 AM

I think the theory is that if you shave WTG, you cut the hair to a wedge shape, and when you relax the skin the hair folds down and that wedge helps the hair get caught in the skin and become ingrown. However, I think that by the same analogy stretching and shaving WTG, XTG and ATG will sharpen the hair like a pen knife sharpens a pencil, and that sharpened point would cause the hair to grow out normally.

Personally, when I shave with a DE I stretch the skin just like I would when straight shaving, and it works well for me. No ingrown hairs at all.

/Nicholas

**Luc** · 12-03-2009, 02:08 AM

I'm unsure, I stretch my skin a bit when I use a DE and do not experience any problems...

**mdunn** · 12-03-2009, 03:16 AM

i think its also that the safety bar stretches/flattens the skin somewhat with a DE, so you need extra with a straight

**SRock** · 12-03-2009, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by gruder

this strikes me as an area where many would disagree with mantic. Too much stretching can certainly bad, but some degree i'd wager it's part of most everyone's routine.

+1

bluefoxicy · 12-03-2009, 07:19 AM

it doesn't matter how I grab at my face when straight shaving, tilt my head, drop my jaw... it's really hard to pull the skin tight without making all kinds of dimples and curves everywhere.

gone down south · 12-03-2009, 08:58 AM

with a DE the rule isn't "no stretching", it's "no excessive stretching". You often need to flatten or straighten a patch of skin to allow for a smooth shave, but what you don't want to do is stretch so much that the cut hair drops down below the skin level.

However, the difference is pretty fine and rather than confuse newbies we'll suggest that they start out with no stretching at all and then refine their technique over time.

bluefoxicy · 12-03-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by gone down south

with a DE the rule isn't "no stretching", it's "no excessive stretching". You often need to flatten or straighten a patch of skin to allow for a smooth shave, but what you don't want to do is stretch so much that the cut hair drops down below the skin level.

Does this rule still apply when you've gone down south?

**mantic** · 12-03-2009, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by mdunn

i think its also that the safety bar stretches/flattens the skin somewhat with a DE, so you need extra with a straight

This.

Originally Posted by gone down south

with a DE the rule isn't "no stretching", it's "no excessive stretching". You often need to flatten or straighten a patch of skin to allow for a smooth shave, but what you don't want to do is stretch so much that the cut hair drops down below the skin level.

However, the difference is pretty fine and rather than confuse newbies we'll suggest that they start out with no stretching at all and then refine their technique over time.

And this.

--Mark

**BlackBard** · 12-03-2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by mdunn

i think its also that the safety bar stretches/flattens the skin somewhat with a DE, so you need extra with a straight

What he said.

Also, gentle stretching helps to flatten out a larger area, so the blade is is more even contact with the skin.

**curtis909** · 12-03-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by luc

i'm unsure, i stretch my skin a bit when i use a de and do not experience any problems...

+1

**avsmusic1** · 12-03-2009, 06:19 PM

I'm new to this but I usually stretch a little

I imagine "too much" is subjective

**DirtyDave** · 12-03-2009, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by mdunn

i think its also that the safety bar stretches/flattens the skin somewhat with a DE, so you need extra with a straight

That's what I was going to say. I do some stretching, mostly when I shave my neck and my upper lip area. Seem to help.

**cellopudding** · 12-03-2009, 08:02 PM

When I shave, I usually try to use "facial calisthenics", for lack of a better term, to do any stretching I need to do. I've found that it has the added benefit of helping to tone and strengthen my facial muscles, so that I don't need to do it as much with each shave.