What's causing the irritation?

WebGeezer said:

Just remember to be even more careful than usual when going around the corners of your mouth. And as always, no pressure and proper angle. Just a guess, are you left-handed? I've found that as a lefty, shaving the right side of my face takes a bit more concentration. Hope it works out for you.

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Hiya WebGeezer,

Just thinking about shaving left handed gives me brain cramps. No, I shave the entire area, with my right hand, maybe that's worse.

fritz said:

+1. Those are exactly the areas where I have to shave the most carefully. Otherwise, you tend to get a fold of skin and shave off the top of the fold. In addition to stretching the skin, you must watch where the entire width of the blade is; you'd really want a very small blade to shave in here.

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Hiya Fritz,

What do you think of the Merkur Mustache razor? What do you use? What's your technique?

Thanks...

Chewy said:

What shaving cream/aftershave/face wash are you using?

If I understand the picture, it looks like the corners of your mouth are irritated. I would just describe it instead of using a picture so it is more clear to others. Anyway, creams/aftershave/face washes with menthol/alcohol/acids, etc. are very hard on the face and can cause this. Also, too much moisture can as well. How long does it take you to shave with the DE vs. Mach 3 -- that may be why you don't get it with the Mach 3.

Chewy

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Hey Chewy,

With the M3 it was taking me 10 mins. and the guys at work (then) were telling me that, that was a long time.

Now, with the DE, it takes about 40 mins. to accomplish the same thing. I think WebGeezer and fritz hit the nail on the head, when they said you have to make an () with your mouth I have to agree. I had better results today.

Duggo said:

...and some of the hair goes up towards the bottom lip, and the other goes back towards the cheek.
Now how do you shave that, pray tell?

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S-N, which is WTG with the first part, XTG with the second part. Then W-E, which is XTG with the first part, and WTG with the second part. Then E-W, finally N-S, lightly, which will be ATG for each part. (E and W are as seen in the mirror image.)

That's one area where I can cause an in-grown without even trying. Very light reduction passes, keeping it well lathered and pushing out from the back with my tongue a little to flatten it out a bit does the trick for me.

Duggo said:

Hiya Fritz,
What do you think of the Merkur Mustache razor? What do you use? What's your technique?
Thanks...

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I don't have a mustache razor, but I would if I needed to get into small areas to shave only a little tiny width at a time. Fortunately, my beard grows in a pretty "normal" pattern, without areas where it grows in all directions at once.

However, I have to be careful around the corers of my mouth, to keep from nicking the part of the cheek that sticks out with the "other" end of the blade. What I do is make the () mouth, stretch the skin with my left hand, then shave that corner with only 10% of one end of the blade, but with 90% over the open mouth, as opposed to 90% over the cheek.

fritz said:

I don't have a mustache razor, but I would if I needed to get into small areas to shave only a little tiny width at a time. Fortunately, my beard grows in a pretty "normal" pattern, without areas where it grows in all directions at once.

However, I have to be careful around the corers of my mouth, to keep from nicking the part of the cheek that sticks out with the "other" end of the blade. What I do is make the () mouth, stretch the skin with my left hand, then shave that corner with only 10% of one end of the blade, but with 90% over the open mouth, as opposed to 90% over the cheek.

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Dang you are lucky...In the lower right (mirror image) it goes in 3 directions in a very small space. WTT some DNA? (II crack myself up.)

Now that I've got the idea, I'll give it a go tomorrow. I'll make a lather using the bowl, and see if that provides the extra protection.

Today's shave went really well. I did the () with the mouth. I even tried new blades...the IP's. The neck got too red. That's why I usually use Derby's. But at the end of the day, the four corners looked really good. Especially given the fact that I could be found guilty of overshaving, in that area. There were times I thought you'd never even know anything was wrong - just not right after the shave.

It's not getting any worse.

Well, I took a month off from shaving (that's another post,) and it all cleared up. So, I returned over an old leaf, so to speak.

I grew a beard, shaved it off.

After a year and a half of trying to combat the issues at the four corners of my mouth, with my DE, and Fancy soaps and Creams, I've taken a coworker's suggestion to heart.

With regard to this problem, I'm shaving with Barbasol (I know, I know.) Wait it gets worse. And a cartridge razor. I'm achieving the desired results. The elimination of the majority of the redness on all four corners. But get this: To get that close shave, I have to go back over the area with a DE. You can't win for loosing.

I don't want to spend a fortune just to shave the corners of my mouth.

I've seen Tri-xxx brand razor blades that sell for less than the name brand Gillette. (I still have the M3/M3P/ M3Turbo handles.) Out of the 3, I prefer the Power handle....if I was on a desert island. Their twin bladed cousins clog up in a heartbeat.

Then after that exercise is done, I have to make a lather to continue the shave.

Thoughts and comments always appreciated.

I realize I'm preaching to the wrong choir, but: c'mon guys. (we all used 'em. - cartridges, at one point.)

Duggo....lots of good suggestions thus far. Although it was probably already mentioned (I didn't read every post...sorry guys), I would recommend:
1. Cool/cold water rinse post shave followed by
2. Alum block
3. I also recommend an after shave balm with NO alcohol

just my 3 cents worth...

Someone here has the answer..