What's new
The Shaving Cadre

Welcome to The Shaving Cadre, a forum dedicated to gentlemanly discourse about wet shaving and other topics of common interests. Membership is always free so register today and join in the fun

Anything that can go wrong... Will happen while I'm Shaving

As @Dave in KY said, I often deal with post-shave irritation. I have sensitive skin and eczema, so off to a good start there. But, it also feels like my skin has become more sensitive since starting Keto and losing a bunch of weight. We just have to deal with things as they come and try to make each shave better than the last. My shaves right now are much better than they were 3-4 months ago. I have had to rethink my entire approach to shaving. @BarberDave has really helped me with that.

One thing that I think you really need to do, if you aren't right now, is properly wash your face before shaving (either in the shower or at the sink right before shaving). Use a decent bar soap with good glycerin content. Something like the bar soaps from Stirling would work great. (I use this as my shower soap and face soap: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar) That should help prep your skin and beard for shaving. Once you have done that, proceed to your pre-shave step.

Keep trying. You will find things that work. Everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
 
dkeester said:
As @Dave in KY said, I often deal with post-shave irritation. I have sensitive skin and eczema, so off to a good start there. But, it also feels like my skin has become more sensitive since starting Keto and losing a bunch of weight. We just have to deal with things as they come and try to make each shave better than the last. My shaves right now are much better than they were 3-4 months ago. I have had to rethink my entire approach to shaving. @BarberDave has really helped me with that.

One thing that I think you really need to do, if you aren't right now, is properly wash your face before shaving (either in the shower or at the sink right before shaving). Use a decent bar soap with good glycerin content. Something like the bar soaps from Stirling would work great. (I use this as my shower soap and face soap: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar) That should help prep your skin and beard for shaving. Once you have done that, proceed to your pre-shave step.

Keep trying. You will find things that work. Everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the encouragement. I will definitely check out the CeraVe. I've been using Stirling mentholated pre-shave as of recent, and I think it's helped. I'll see how the CeraVe compares. Hylaronic acid (sp?) is supposed to be really good for the skin, so ... Maybe it'll replace my Stirling. [emoji106]

Definitely going to try the shower first now, as well as possibly doing one soap a week (3-4 shaves in a row). That'll give me some standardized data without being too stringent and limiting. It's a start, at least. [emoji846]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the ideas and all of the encouragement.
 
Welcome to the journals Paul!

Definitely start with figuring out a preshave routine and whether it needs to be cool water or warm. For myself, I figured out that the least I need to do before every shave is wash my face a bit and let water sit on it a minute or two for hydration. The most I’ll do is have a shower before hand. Preshave products never really did anything for me that those processes could do.
 
dkeester said:
As @Dave in KY said, I often deal with post-shave irritation. I have sensitive skin and eczema, so off to a good start there. But, it also feels like my skin has become more sensitive since starting Keto and losing a bunch of weight. We just have to deal with things as they come and try to make each shave better than the last. My shaves right now are much better than they were 3-4 months ago. I have had to rethink my entire approach to shaving. @BarberDave has really helped me with that.

One thing that I think you really need to do, if you aren't right now, is properly wash your face before shaving (either in the shower or at the sink right before shaving). Use a decent bar soap with good glycerin content. Something like the bar soaps from Stirling would work great. (I use this as my shower soap and face soap: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar) That should help prep your skin and beard for shaving. Once you have done that, proceed to your pre-shave step.

Keep trying. You will find things that work. Everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
Click to expand...
Picked up the CeraVe this afternoon... A two pack, so my wife can try it too. [emoji106]

Thanks again @dkeester .
0f31dd4846b677419b252356912230ea.jpg
 
Saturday, August 1, 2020

PR: Stirling Mentholated Pre-shave Soap
SO: Murphy and McNeil Naid
RZ: Razorock Gamechanger 84
BL: Personna Comfort (#3)
PO: Alum Stick
PO: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm
TA: King Talc

NOTES: Face lather (loaded from the tub).

I kept with my plan, and showered first. I then prewashed with my Stirling (I'll talk about the CeraVe later). Same everything as of the last few shaves, shave for the soap. Today's was M&M Naid. This is an awesome smelling soap, perfect for summer, and super protective with lots of slickness. I really like this one.

The shave was nice and smooth with no cuts or knicks. Irritation was basicallynon-existent. It felt great and I got the close shave I like, expect, and need. Still, post shave the redness and bumps were QUITE pronounced. I took a picture, but I balk at posting as it's not very fun to look at.

I think some time and the talc (which I applied about 45mins later) have helped. Still this redness is a bit nuts, albeit more common than I would hope. Tell me all of you don't suffer from this... It's normal, right. People dont walk away, good or bad shave, looking like they just developed a case of extreme Rosacea?

Well, regardless, it felt good and I got a great close shave. [emoji106]
 
It almost sounds like you're having a reaction to something like the menthol or something else ? Do you feel any burning while shaving?
 
Last edited:
Dave in KY said:
It almost sounds like you're having a reaction to something like the menthol or something else ? Do you feel any burning while shaving?
Click to expand...
Nope, not at all. It was a smooth shave. The redness is common, but irritation is rarer.

Judging from summer post shaves I recall, I believe I can avoid redness by not doing ATG or by using a milder razor. But then I am aggrevated by still being able to feel the hair stubble. It's always seems like a this is that think. [emoji3525]
 
Sorry to hear for you man. Some have gotten relief better from a cold/cool water shave. You may have already tried that too though. @NurseDave I think went that route.

I like th Avatar by the way. Wish I could add it to mine too (y)
 
May be time to try a cool/cold water shave as well?

-Edit- I see Dave was far ahead of me!
 
The redness sounds like a reaction to something. Was there any product you used for the first time today? I once got a reaction like yours from a soap and an AS. Best of luck!
 
Graybeard57 said:
The redness sounds like a reaction to something. Was there any product you used for the first time today? I once got a reaction like yours from a soap and an AS. Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Nope, everything was used before. I was out in the sun a lot (3 hours?) Before Shaving, though. Not sure if that can cause an issue.
Dave in KY said:
Sorry to hear for you man. Some have gotten relief better from a cold/cool water shave. You may have already tried that too though. @NurseDave I think went that route.

I like th Avatar by the way. Wish I could add it to mine too (y)
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave. The mask was added with an app call Polish. It's has a 'stamp' feature with a mask. I lucked out that it fit well and I could edit the sides.

I downloaded your user image, but it is rather blocky (low-res). I added the mask to it. I'll send it over. If you have a better resolution image, I can try again. [emoji106]
 
mrdoug said:
Nope, everything was used before. I was out in the sun a lot (3 hours?) Before Shaving, though. Not sure if that can cause an issue.
Thanks Dave. The mask was added with an app call Polish. It's has a 'stamp' feature with a mask. I lucked out that it fit well and I could edit the sides.

I downloaded your user image, but it is rather blocky (low-res). I added the mask to it. I'll send it over. If you have a better resolution image, I can try again. [emoji106]
Click to expand...
Thanks, I know it's pitiful resolution but best I have 🤪
 
mrdoug said:
Nope, everything was used before. I was out in the sun a lot (3 hours?) Before Shaving, though. Not sure if that can cause an issue.
Click to expand...

That absolutely can cause an issue. In fact, that would be a prime candidate for the cause, IMHO.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Monday, August 3, 2020

PR: Hot shower
SO: Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise
RZ: Razorock Gamechanger 68
BL: Personna Comfort (#1)
PO: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm
TA: King Talc

NOTES: Face lather; shaved with cold water, per the suggestion.


So I pulled a few things back this time, trying to "get the red out" . Then I'll branch out, as needed, until something triggers. I removed both the pre-shave bar as well as the alum block. Keeping the glacial balm, for now (it feels sooo good!). Today I decided to use Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise. This great soap has a light inviting scent, perfect for the summer. I find it has been very skin friendly, and quite competent for protection.

The shave went well without much issue with redness. Now to figure out if it's the menthol, the sun, the 84, or a mixture. Iam praying it's not the 84, because I sit here with a bit of stubble and know the 84 would have cleared it better. [emoji846]

Wednesday, I think I'm going to bring the 84 back and remove all traces of menthol. Just need to figure out what I can use post shave in it's stead. Maybe just waterboard myself with ice water?
 
Sounds like you’ve incorporated a lot of good ideas into your routine, I’ll add a couple additional ideas that may help (if nothing else bring additional enjoyment.). I found that by including a nighttime lathering as in addition to my regular morning shave really helped to improve my skin/beard health and improve daily shave results. By switching to only cool water during the shave (I showered with hot water immediately prior to the shave) I further improved the experience. If you are shaving at night, you could try adding a quick brush lathering while in the shower just prior to the shave, kind of a pre-pre-shave prep. I do this most mornings just because I have so much soap on hand and a brush in the shower.
 
I know for me, I have been getting a lot of alum feedback from using my GC .68 until I started using Wizamets in it. Prior to that I was using Gillette Rubies and I was getting lit up every time I used it.
 
Patelliott said:
I know for me, I have been getting a lot of alum feedback from using my GC .68 until I started using Wizamets in it. Prior to that I was using Gillette Rubies and I was getting lit up every time I used it.
Click to expand...
I didn't use Alum this time, just to see if it was another irritant to my shave. That said, I think it'd be ok, as this shave was smooth. The 84 can have some good feedback, but the 68 is typically quite mild and smooth. Problem is, the 68 isn't super close, like I desire.

Seriously need a middle ground... A Gamechanger 76? C'mon Razorock, just make one. Lol. [emoji848]

Found a chart posted somewhere, a list of razors by agression. Copied it and looked it over. If it's accurate, specifically for me, I might need to try something in between the 68 and 84. The slant is out, but I'm back considering the MJ-90A. That'll have to be a BST hunt, as RR is currently out of them. If I decide to try something new, that is...

Game Changer .68P
Merkur 34C (short handle) & 38C (long handle)
RazoRock MJ-90A
Merkur Slant 37C (short handle) & 39C (long handle)
Karve 'B' Base Plate
Game Changer .84P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top