is saftey razor better than Mach3/5/12 etc for skin?

[inspectoring]

Just wondering....I just picked up a DE Merkur Futur for the first time and obviously I nicked my skin here and there - i don't think much of that but - my face does feel a bit more sensitive in general. In the long run - what is better for the skin (not a better shave) - safety razor or others.

Yes - I used the pre shave oil - The Art of Shaving and the Shaving cream - Keihls and Founder's Reserve with the Art of Shaving brush.

I must admit that it had to shave 3 times - but at the end of it - my face feels like a baby's butt....trust me I know - just had a son... :)

[Btheis]

At first you will have a little more irritation, but at the end of the day your face will be much happier with a proper DE shave than the mentioned cartridge razors. I have senstive skin and have less burn now than ever.

[inspectoring]

thanks mate...I know the guys who sold me the Futur were saying the same thing. But I can't help but wonder if there is any concrete evidence regarding the skin itself.
You see - my brother keeps saying that even though the shave is probably not that good with Mach5 etc/ - they are not as harsh as the safety razors. I would love to know the truth....

[SMOKE]

Keep this in mind: A cartridge razor pulls the hair up, cuts it off, and then it slips below the skin...A common cause of ingrowns. The DE cuts the hair smoothly at the srface of the skin, thus avoiding most ingrowns. You may find it takes a week or more for your skin to adjust...but with proper technique (which takes time) your skin will feel better then it has since you were a kid. As always...avoid ALL pressure when shaving with a DE. Even a little pressure will cause irritation and/or razor burn.

Hope this helps.

[uberlegit]

There may not be any concrete evidence, but there is certainly more than enough personal observation on this forum that shows DE is better for the skin than cartridge, if only because you are being more attentive.

[inspectoring]

thank you guys...I knew I was in the right place...

[Jarmo P]

Cartridge razors are a bit rough for my skin. It is the pivoting head that requires pressure and also I think them multible blades.

With DE I can achieve a close shave that is also very good to skin. It takes longer to shave than with a cartridge razor. Needs multiple passes with beard reduction in each.
If I am in a hurry I use an electric, never ever a cartridge trazor with it's brutal character will touch my face.

Remember that starting with a DE feels awkard at first. You will need to learn your hand muscles the way to move it. And also how your facial contours and beard growth direction are.

Btw, use your whole arm for shaving strokes and lock your wrist as much as possible. And try not to go again to that BBS until you have developed the technique. I bet tomorrow you will have some irritation doing that so early in your DE shaving journey.

[cvac]

In my experience cartridge razors, especially those with more than 2 blades (Mach 3, Quattro, etc.) are much harsher on my skin. I never used those unless they were free, and pretty much only used twin blade disposables before I started DE shaving. Now, when I'm forced to use a disposable I use single blade disposables only.

[oxcrew]

You have to remember the first blade on the cartridges is designed to go into the skin this results in a bit harsher shaving experience for some. I personally notice that DE shaving has hellped my skin in a lot of different aspects but do check and see what you think just remember to wait for your technique to improve before you make a decision

[joscobo]

I know this isn't an exact one to one ratio. But if blade + skin contact = irritation. Then:
A Fusion with it's 5 blades means one pass is equal to 5 passes with a DE.
Or a Mach3 equates to one pass equals 3.

I always had to do at least 2 passes with both the Fusion and the Mach 3. So I was scraping a blade across my skin 10 and 6 times respectively.

Now with my DE I use 3 or 4 passes. So I have a significantly reduced amount of "blade to skin" contact. Add to that the lack of hair pulling and the use of good technique. With a DE or Str8 you are prepping the beard so well. Making each whisker swell and elongate out of it's follicle so a light touch with the razor will clip it off. Then it can shrink back into it's hole making your walk around feeling how smooth you skin feels.

Then, add to that the use of a glycerin soap or cream and any other post shave ritual that is good for your skin.

I think DE and Str8 shaving are much much better for ones skin.

[mace]

Quite a feew women peel their skin, so do de-shavers

I'm go'na stick my neck out now

I do believe that on MY face, part of the baby smoth feel I get from shaving is in part down to the peeling/closeness... of the blade. I think it causes a very slight, and temporary, swelling of my skin.

Don't shoot me

M

[andrewinman]

A good DE used with PROPER technique is easier on my skin. The thing about the cartridges and disposables is that your blade angle is given to you and therefore easier to not get bad burn. But... I have always had ingrown issues and a DE has pretty much been the relief of that. Again a proper shave with and DE is better than a proper shave with a cartridge razor...for me anyway.

[Zen Master Kool-Aid]

My first DE was a Futur and it felt a little irritating at first. I did nick my neck a little bit at first, but I haven't gotten a nick with a DE in months. I still love my Futur and I can't imagine ever going back to a cartridge razor.

[trewornan]

Firstly, I very much doubt there's any empirical evidence about which is better for your skin because it's a subjective thing, so if you think your skin feels better (or worse) that's all that counts. Some people (apparently) do find cartridge razors better and that's fair enough - we're all individuals here.

It seems to be quite common to find DEs seem a bit harsher when first starting. Why is debatable but I suspect it's a combination of it simply being a change from what you're used to and being a. beginner not having the feel for a DE and consequently being slightly heavy handed. Mostly after a week or two things improve and people find their skin feels better than before.

YMMV of course but don't give up until you've given it a decent try, then if a DE still isn't working for you go back to your cartridge razor. There is sometimes a little bit of snobbery on B&B and a hint of disdain for people who stick to cartridges but if it's right for you then don't let that bother you.

[schadowrider]

YMMV of course but don't give up until you've given it a decent try, then if a DE still isn't working for you go back to your cartridge razor.

That's where I'm at, it's been about a month now since I made a "full" switch from CR to DE -- still getting more irritation than I ever did with a CR, but it's definitely getting better day by day and I'm convinced it's a combination of:

1) still being too heavy handed (in spite of best efforts to go with no pressure, I know I'm still learning what that means! I think I truly do fine the 1st and usually the 2nd passes, but by the 3rd I have a feeling I'm regressing...),

2) all the new products I'm using (routine was VERY basic before; pretty much shaveless cream and simple face moisture lotion afterwards...); now I've introduced all kinds of fun new steps (brush and soap, Thayers, AS, ASB, edt, etc!), but my skin is trying to figure them out I think,

3) still trying to find a blade that is comfortable with my razors (keep coming back to the Derby's, which seem the nicest for me...)

I'm hanging in there for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is I hated shaving before, and now I look forward to it -- can't wait until I'm actually getting better results too!

So, hang in there with me, and keep us posted on your progress!

[sklegg]

I don't have too much to add to the conversation, but I agree with Jarmo P regarding the pressure required with cart razors versus DE razors. The theory, I believe, behind the safety razor is that the blade shouldn't actually touch the skin. It should be very, very close obviously but never actually in contact. Now... that's the theory anyway. In practice it's near impossible...

[inspectoring]

wow...thanks guys....quite a few who started out with the DE around the same time I did....

and yes - I am gonna stick it out.....at least for 3-4 months......
I also decided to use a variety of shave creams and after shave lotions....a sampler from Truefitt and Thumper as well as a blade sampler is on the way.
Besides, I think if I make a mistake - there is a fantastic Shave clinic (aka Mass General Hospital equivalent) available....what could possibly go wrong..
;)