Intense Razor Burn

Gork

I get what I can only describe as really intense razor burn whenever I shave. Patches of my skin get red and some red bumps show up. It fades over the day but can get re-irritated by things like sweat, which definitely causes a burning sensation. I use an electric razor and I just purchased a new one to see if the old one was the source of the problem.

Aside from growing a beard so I don't have to shave, any suggestions?

bowen

In my experience electric razors gave my face the same problem you're having. I switched to blades and never looked back.

I have heard that irritation when using electric is directly proportionate to the cost of the razor you're using. Those $40 norelco jobbers aren't as good as those $180 norelco jobbers.

Other than that, try using an aftershave with aloe.

Skoal Cat

The Internet is a big fan of super sharp safety razors. The sharper a blade, the less likely you'll get irritation (unless you suck at shaving). I'm going to give you some bullet points to keep in mind rather than delving into everything.

Different faces and people respond differently to different products. You'll be shaving for pretty much the rest of your life, might as well figure this shit out.
Sharp blades prevent irritation. Dull blades cause irritation.
Bad technique causes irritation. Good technique prevents irritation. With a safety razor, you want to let the weight of the razor do the work, don't add pressure. With Mach 3/5/7s and their ilk, they are designed so that you need pressure. This gives a clean shave by cutting the hair below the surface, but dramatically increases the likely hood of an ingrown hair. They are also fuck all expensive. I would avoid these horrible razors.
Don't use the shaving cream than comes in cans. You want something slick that will let the blade glide across your skin. Some people prefer soaps, some creams (both get lathered with a brush), and I use an oil topped with a cream.
Pre shave technique. Develop one. Hot water is your friend here.
Get an aftershave (balm or alcohol based, they work differently) to help prevent irritation further. I use Insitut Karite and love the crap out of it.
www.BadgerAndBlade.com is to shaving what PA is to video games. All awesome dudes who are really really nice and obsessive.

JAEF

What razor and soap/gel are you using? Also early disclaimer here: Everyone's face is different. What works for some people may not work for you, and vice versa.

Trying out many, many different products over the years I've found that the typical canned gel from something like this: dried out my face and made things pretty terrible. I have pretty damn sensitive facial skin that hates me doing almost anything to do with shaving, but I've had really good results with Proraso Mega-Ultra-Crazy-Sensitive shaving soap combined with a nice shaving brush and small bowl to lather it up with. The stuff lasts forever and makes it so my face and neck feel pretty damn great after shaving, sans any kind of aftershave product (although I do use some non-comedogenic moisturizer (won't clog pores) if I'm feeling dry.)

This works with both run-of-the-mill razors or a nice electric. I haven't managed to find a safety razor I actually like, and despite all the hate they get from the shaving purist crowd the Mach 3 has suited me just fine without disastrous face-mangling or ingrown forests. You can keep the blades sharp and going strong quite a while if you mind them well enough. When I need a smoother close shave I haven't found anything more suitable for daily use than the electric, though.

Definitely look into the wet shaving scene, but do so with the understanding that it may not be the perfect fit for you, just like any other method. I have issues shaving around my chin well with manual/safety razors (and some mild scarring from youth doesn't help much) that the electric takes care of no problem.

Edit: Also, are you just shaving over the sink? With bad shaving gel/soap and/or improper pre-shave prep this can be a disaster. I prefer to shave in the shower as it's a great heated environment that lets you take a little time to soften up the beard and let the soap do its work. Understandably you want to get through shaving as fast as possible but a nice pre-wash with warm water, waiting a minute after applying shaving soap, then a refreshing cold facewash after everything's done will do wonders.

Gork

I got this guy.

http://www.amazon.com/Remington-F5790-Rechargeable-Cordless-Shaver/dp/B001DEYP8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1303828010&sr=1-1

Reading the reviews it looks like people are having trouble with it irritating skin. I guess that's what I get for going into Macy's and buying from their limited selection.

I am using an aftershave lotion for sensitive skin, but honestly it looks like I should just toss this guy and get another one from Amazon. I shave dry, but after I shower. Would that make a big difference if I used a lotion/cream?

Skoal Cat

Probably. What lotion are you using? Not all lotion is the same.

Are you really set on using an electric? Because even based on those reviews, I don't think there is much you can do to prevent the irritation you're getting. Guys who don't have sensitive skin can probably use it.

Gork

Yeah, I prefer electric, but not necessarily that electric. Just feels a whole lot faster to me. Also, impossible to cut myself.

I can replace it if it's really un-salvageable.

I'm not using a shave cream/lotion at all. Just an aftershave lotion for sensitive skin but I'm not sure how much it's helping.

Skoal Cat

Right, what aftershave lotion is it? I can shave in 5 mins. Its not that long.

bowen

Yeah probably only takes me 5 minutes to shave with a blade, less if it's not professional. I'd say the aftershave lotion is where you want to be heading to help fix it.

Straygatsby

Have you been maintaining the blades and whatnot? I don't know that model and haven't used an electric for some years, but I do recall mine needing to be incessantly maintained and oiled and the blades replaced. I know you are committed to an electric for speed and simplicity but the truth is the things are crap. I won't go so far as to be all evangelical for the new hip hot safety blade, sharpened machete, straight razor trend, but even a sack o' disposables will treat you better than those meat machines (and really, if you're a daily shave guy, it's like a 5 minute job anyway).

I'll miss this casual job environment when I'm gone. I shave on Sunday morning and rock the transition to beard throughout the week, only to repeat the process next Sunday. This thread reminded me of trying to run a norelco over my face as I'm running for the subway station every morning. *shudder*

Gork

Here's the lotion:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003156NJS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00005U8WP&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07F88WCGVSZH3GTGWG7T

And the electric is brand new, so I doubt maintenance is an issue.

JAEF

Gork wrote: »

I'm not using a shave cream/lotion at all. Just an aftershave lotion for sensitive skin but I'm not sure how much it's helping.

So, whatever else you do, I would seriously recommend using some shaving soap. Your skin's being irritated because you're just taking some vibrating metal and shoving it against your plain face. A good shaving soap will soften the hair (making it easier to cut) and soothe/protect the skin, preventing the horrendous razor burn you're getting. Whether you're committed to sticking with electric or not, I recommend you get that sorted out first. The electric I linked in my previous post is wet/dry and plays nice with whatever shaving soap you want to use.

Razor burn means there's a big problem somewhere.

illig

I find that its impossible to get a clean shave with just an electric or just a disposable blade without using lots of pressure, which leads to irritation.

So I use both. I do a quick cleanup with the electric before the morning shower and then finish up with a schick something or other vibrating razor. The combination allows me to use light pressure with both bc neither is responsible for 100% of the job.

That, and using cold water for shaving (trust me, cold water is your friend in reducing irritation), should let your face not look like a beet.

Or, you can grow a beard. That is an amazing time saver in the morning.

JAEF

illig wrote: »

Or, you can grow a beard. That is an amazing time saver in the morning.

Some of us are cursed with disastrous facial hair that will never resemble a beard.

Forbe!

I've moved on from shave gels/canned shaving cream because of how intense my razor burn was. I went to a traditional shaving soap that requires a hair brush to apply. I think I was overly sensitive to all the lotion and perfume bullshit they put in those things that a simple glycerin soap was what was best for me. Also, I use an astringent (witch hazel) as an aftershave.

Typically my shave looks like this.

Wash face with water. Put hot water in soap dish, let soak. Soak a washcloth with piping hot water and apply to face/problem areas. Apply generous amounts of shave soap to face. Shave with cold water. Soak a washcloth with piping hot water and apply to face/problem areas again. Dry, then apply witch hazel.

MichaelLC

I've had good luck with Art of Shaving stuff while using a Gillette.

Skoal Cat is right on the money. A hot towel right before can do wonders.

Skoal Cat

I feel the AoS stuff is way overpriced

jefe414

I use this stuff as aftershave: Col. Conk

saltiness

I use crappy disposable razors. I used to have a big problem with razor burn but I found what fixes it for me is hot and then cold water.

I soak a wash cloth in hot water and lay it on my neck (I don't get burn on my face) for about a minute. I shave, then I soak the wash cloth in cold water and lay it on my neck for another minute. No razor burn after this.