So I prefer to keep my torso area clean shaven. It's a personal preference, I think it just looks better without hair, plus I prefer to wear v-cut shirts, or other shirts with open collars and I just think that not having chest hair popping out of that creates a cleaner look.
My problem is that I'd like to find a way to avoid the razor irritation that follows. I'm doing it to achieve a cleaner look, so having a bunch of red bumps on my chest for the next couple of days after I do it is counterintuitive. Another problem is that, as is, I can only really do it once a week, any more and the irritation is a lot worse. This creates a weird cycle where I do it and it looks good for a couple of days (assuming I don't get irritated), followed by a few days where it's longer than I like, but not long enough to comfortably shave yet.
Do you have any advice H/A? I'd prefer to avoid waxing, because I tried a home kit once and it hurt way worse than was worth it as the hair came back after a couple of weeks. I'm also not sure about something like nair as I've heard it burns pretty bad and it might not work out great since I clearly have sensitive skin (if anyone has experience to the contrary I'm open to be convinved). I currently use a Gillette body razor (have also tried a fushion razor) and shaving creme and do it in the shower. I also use neutragena post shave lotion to try and calm down the irritation that appears to do an alright job. Does anyone have any products that might work better, or tricks that might help out?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Waxing on your chest is especially brutal. Not sure why. Out of all the places I've had waxed, it was the worst.
The best thing for irritation I've found is witch hazel.
- Hot, hot water on your chest for a bit. In other words, you just had a nice hot shower.
- When you get out of the shower (or do it in there), splash some more hot water on where you will be shaving, in case it has dried off by the time you're ready to start shaving.
- Apply cream. Get something of quality with little alcohol. Bonus points if you pick up a shaving brush to apply it. I like this stuff. Available at most drugstores. You'd probably just need about a quarter-sized amount. You're just looking for lubrication for your razor, not to lather yourself like a snowman.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth with a relatively simple razor. Don't go for multi-blade monstrosities. You can get a really close shave with little irritation with a safety razor, but if you're not willing to get into that, a two-blade dealie will be fine.
- When you're finished, splash your chest with the coldest water your taps will produce. When I'm doing this to my face, I use the cold water as a way to rinse off the leftover cream, so that I can't chince out from the cold--gotta get all that cream off somehow!
This method basically softens the hair and opens the pours, then closes them back up when you're finished. Give it a shot.
You may also want to moisturize after. Not aftershave. Moisturizer. Something gentle. You can have a great shave and then 5 minutes later your skin has dried out and you're back to square one. A quality shaving cream should help lessen this problem but a good moisturizer afterwards seals the deal.
I believe everything said on Seinfeld implicitly.
That's some nice body shaming and policing right there.
Thanks, this was really helpful. I'm going to try to get a nicer cream and not lather as much on. I also never really knew I should use cold water afterwards. I also think I'll try using a simer razor and see if that helps at all, if not I'll go for a safety razor.
I really am just doing it for me, I personally just prefer the look.
I've tried clippers, and didn't feel that they got a close enough shave for me.