SENSITIVE SKIN POLL: how often do you shave?

[Dusty1]

Ok, this is a poll for everyone with sensitive skin; how often can you shave without irritation (not how often do you)? I find myself shaving every 3 days (thick but slow growing beard), but I wish I could shave every 1-2. I was curious who experiences the same problems, or is it just me?

[TonyBrown]

I used to think I had sensitive skin until I started traditional wet shaving. now I can shave daily without irritation or problem.

[cromio]

I have a very thick beard and sensitive skin so i can only shave every other day

[Island Dreamer]

I think everyone thinks *their* skin is sensitive, especially younger guys whose skin hasn't suffered the ravages of the years. Sensitive skin issues often have to do with poor technique or using the wrong products. And honestly, I think some people who are wet shaving with DE razors probably shouldn't be. If you haven't gotten it figured out in a month of shaves, you might be ahead to use carts or a good electric.

I have fair English/Nordic skin and shave daily with no issues to speak of past the occasional ingrown.

[smalltank]

Every 3 days

[vegasvics]

I tend shave 3-4 times a week, but if I prep correctly and be carefully follow technique I can shave everyday without irritation

[Alraz]

Mostly everyday. I know some may get tired of this but good technique does wonders even when sensitive skin is an issue. The key is often lather hydration.

Al raz.

[FtVinnie]

I am retired and most often can shave every other day, often less frequently.
But when I DO have to shave every day I just back off on how particular I am on buffing down the tough areas. I really don't think it matters or is even really noticeable to others, and this saves me some irritation.

[Dusty1]

I think everyone thinks *their* skin is sensitive, especially younger guys whose skin hasn't suffered the ravages of the years. Sensitive skin issues often have to do with poor technique or using the wrong products. And honestly, I think some people who are wet shaving with DE razors probably shouldn't be. If you haven't gotten it figured out in a month of shaves, you might be ahead to use carts or a good electric.

I have fair English/Nordic skin and shave daily with no issues to speak of past the occasional ingrown.

So what do you mean by "some people shouldn't be DE shaving"? What people? Why? I work outside for a living, my skin is pretty weathered, and all of the above shaving methods bring irritation to some degree.

[gegarrenton]

Mostly everyday. I know some may get tired of this but good technique does wonders even when sensitive skin is an issue. The key is often lather hydration.

Al raz.

Bingo!

[Dusty1]

Geat, keep em coming!

[jpipes3]

Every day, but only to SAS level. Pretty much one pass only, with maybe a little clean-up if needed. I used to be every other day MAX. Since making the move to wet shaving, I look forward to shaving and using different products so much that I recently started the every day SAS. It works perfectly, since the irritation was almost always caused by chasing BBS.

[Obsessed]

I voted for "every day," but typically I'll shave about six days per week. One pass only. Back in my cartridge and canned goo days, it was less often.

[Alraz]

Most "performance" and other problems can be traced to poor lather hydration. Most people leave their lather overly dry.

Al raz.

Bingo!

[Crixus]

Ok, this is a poll for everyone with sensitive skin; how often can you shave without irritation (not how often do you)? I find myself shaving every 3 days (thick but slow growing beard), but I wish I could shave every 1-2. I was curious who experiences the same problems, or is it just me?

I don't know what you're doing, or what your social requirements call for, but I'm going to guess by the 2 1/2 day mark you're looking a might scruffy. If you can only shave every three days, you need to explore a Plan B. Lo and behold, I have a recommendation !

Get yourself an inexpensive user-grade old Gillette tech, preferably a triangle slot fat handle model. Use a decent sharp and smooth blade like Astra, and try shaving every 1 1/2 days. One pass, with the grain only. You should be able to get a socially acceptable shave with a little familiarity of the routine. Sunday night, Tuesday morning, Wednesday night, Friday morning, Saturday night...

If your face can't handle that, I would have to think other issues are at play. If you build your lather on your face, try tilting your head back and just building all your lather on your neck from chin to collarbone. Then use the gentler paintbrush strokes on your face once the lather is built.

The tech is a forgiving razor, and quite mild compared to some of the masochistic cutlery out there. But in the right hands, it's a very good shaver. Remember, one pass. With the grain. You'll most certainly look better than your current routine of shaving every three days. And the tech is "self-regulating", meaning if you work within its inherent boundaries, it won't irritate your face. Good luck.

[Island Dreamer]

So what do you mean by "some people shouldn't be DE shaving"? What people? Why? I work outside for a living, my skin is pretty weathered, and all of the above shaving methods bring irritation to some degree.

People who can't develop the basic skills necessary to deal with a double edged razor. After beginning the learning process, I think if you can't get the basic technique of creating a good lather and developing the light pressure required after, say, 30 shaves, maybe a person is ahead using more forgiving cartridges or using an electric. Traditional DE and straight razor shaving isn't for everybody, especially those who continually deal with irritation. Everyone can have a bad day but some guys seem to have bad days everyday. I'm not in anyway suggesting *you* are this person or should quit shaving traditionally, just making a general observation that this type of shaving isn't for everyone which is why so very few men do it. Sites like this and the other forums make DE/straight razor shaving seem like everyone's doing it when, in fact, most are not. Most guys shave with electrics and carts are far more popular for the next group than what we do.

You're correct that any form of shaving can bring irritation to some degree but shaving with an electric probably offers the least amount of irritation for most guys (but so-so shaves at best) whereas shaving with a DE (or straight) likely offers the highest *potential* for irritation, especially for those who insist on the BBS shave and make one or more ATG passes. I would guess more than half of irritation issues are caused by ATG shaving and poor lathers vs. simply having "sensitive" skin.

In your initial post you stated you wished you could shave more than every three days but your slow growing, heavy beard combined with your sensitive skin was preventing it. I would guess you're either not prepping well, not using the right soap/cream for your needs, too much pressure, wrong razor, wrong blade, or some multiple of these. Once you get it all correct, you *should* be able to shave to a DFS level daily should you so desire.

You sounded like you were offended by my first response to you when I stated that not everyone can do this successfully even after some experience and effort to learn. No offense was meant and others, like Alraz, have pointed out some things to double check (like technique and lather hydration). I think it's often the wrong razor with the wrong blade for a lot of guys. Me? I'll take the mild razors using blades 2-4 times at MOST. Do some more experimenting and see how things work and maybe avoid (assuming you're doing them) ATG passes.

[chado006]

I wish I could shave every day just because I enjoy it so much but my skin just won't allow it. Luckily, with my work, I can get away with every other day.

[auk1124]

I have a variety of skin issues. I gave up on my chin area a year or two ago and sport a goatee because absolutely nothing could shave my facial hair there without irritation, but the rest of my face gets two wtg passes each day with generally very little irritation.

[IronHammer]

I disagree with Island Dreamer. I think anybody can use a DE razor. It's all a matter of learning proper technique and attention to the details. There was a time in our past when safety razors were the only choice a man had and shaving every day was expected. Every man *had* to learn how to use a DE or suffer for it. But that's the key, isn't it? DE shaving is a learned skill. It isn't intuitive at all.

I used to think I had extremely sensititive skin until I learned proper shaving technique. I still get some irritation when I use a little too much pressure (it's a VERY fine line) but I have developed shaving habits that greatly reduces, and even eliminates, irritation so I am able to get a near-BBS shave every day.

[VeganSeason]

practice makes perfect! de shaving for me luckily came naturally and there was no learning curve what so ever, electrics for me cause the worst irritation, then cartridge shaving less, and than de shaving, way less! I wish I could shave every day now that I enjoy it so much, but seems every three days for me works great! it used to be once a week but I cant wait that long anymore, too much fun! for me the longer it gets more irritation, the shorter the better, but some facial hair is nice for protection working outside, so 3 is the magic number for sure!