Oppos who shave, need some input
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I'm very disillusioned with my current gillette 3 blade razors I've been using for years. I'm looking for a shaving system that works for daily use for someone who has extremely sensitive skin. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars either.
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Not what you want to hear, but the best system is grow a beard.
I do shave my neck though. I don’t want a throatee like Orlove. I am sensitive, and yet I just use the budget packs of cheap store brand single blade razors with soap in my shower. I actually reuse each several times. -
I've heard good things about the Phillips One Blade. But I just buzz with a facial hair clipper. Only gets down to scruff but I don't like looking 12
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@highlander said in Oppos who shave, need some input:
extremely sensitive skin.
SNOWFLAKE! For real though, I had this issue and I use a Braun Electric Razor and it rules.
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@highlander I gave up...if that helps. I use a beard trimmer for that constant 5 o'clock shadow, because everything I tried didn't jibe with my skin.
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@carsoffortlangley I've tried a few electric shavers and they don't get as close as a blade and feel like they are pulling the hairs out of my face.
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@hammerheadfistpunch Yeah, I really can't stand even 1 day without shaving, it's just irritating.
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@chariotoflove My beard would be red and splotchy, I really don't have beard level facial hair. Plus I can't stand facial hair.
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Hello, shaver here with sensitive skin and ezcema (although luckily not on my face, yet) So the bad news is the easy way costs hundreds of dollars (Top shelf Braun or Norelco, whichever fits your face better)
I use a two step method. Sunday night I take a super hot shower at the end of which I use a single blade "Safe-T" razor and some sort of super simple shaving "soap". I then shave using only the weight of the razor which takes like 25 minutes but it gets so close that it lasts me for almost 3 days. I use a new blade every time, and I never use that razor on my upper lip (I only use the electric for that). I use the electric for maintenance Wed-Friday. My only gripe about the single blade razor is that I get ingrown hairs every once in a while.
I've got a Braun series 9 and a Merkur long handled safety razor.
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@highlander I’ve been in that boat (although about a year ago I started keeping a light beard so now I just trim with clippers).
What I found worked best was the following:
I got razors from Dollar Shave Club. They have 3 options and I got the medium, which is 4-blade I believe.
I would shave in the shower and use Aveeno Therapeutic shave gel, being mindful to shave with the grain instead of against it. I’d also be careful not to stretch my neck when shaving as that can cause the hairs to retract back into your skin when you relax and then potentially cause ingrown hairs.
Lastly, after I was done I would gently rub the areas I shaved in a circular motion to help guide the hairs I’d cut through the surface of my skin, again to avoid ingrown hairs.
Wasn’t perfect, but it certainly helped.
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@highlander it’s not for everyone. our women also take some time to get used to it.
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@chariotoflove I wish...I hate shaving and would love to grow a beard, but my wife hates facial hair, so I shave.
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@highlander Thats fair, its my solution but not everyone's. Some of the electrics aren't bad. The norelco's (the triple head ones) I did NOT like but The single mesh wire ones I hear work well enough.
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This is what I have learned from my almost 30 years of shaving:
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Shaving creams/gels suck. I use a thin cleanser from Aveda (i know fancy) but it works.
https://www.aveda.com/product/5356/16929/skin-care/cleanser/botanical-kinetics-purifying-gel-cleanser#/shade/5_fl_oz%2F150_ml -
You need to wash your face once with hot water and cleanser, rinse with hot water, and then apply the cleanser again and that will be your shaving base.
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Razors are not as important. I have used the Mach3 but now use the costco knockoff that costs 1/3rd the price. Make sure you rinse off with hot water once finished and dry.
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I use this for an aftershave
https://www.niveausa.com/products/sensitive-post-shave-balm-721408130620079.html
This is the only way I don't break out or get rashes. Best of luck.
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@highlander I currently use a safety razor and its helped toughen my skin up over the last few years. I've also heard good things about the Pitbull shavers.
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@Highlander I use a safety razor but I haven't bothered shaving in months. I couldn't even shave daily with that cuz I'd get razor bumps
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@highlander try the higher end 4 or 5 blade razors. I’ve found brand doesn’t matter. Personal preference.
Nivea has a sensitive skin shaving foam that’s great. -
@highlander single blade cheap-o bics. The yellow ones. I shave my head every other day with them and occasionally my face but lately just the head since I don't see anyone without a mask.
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Any blade I use rips up my face. I use a Norelco type electric and never have an issue. I only shave immediately after a shower, and only when my skin is completely dry. Otherwise it tears me up.
I even bought a SUPER cheap Norelco style wet/dry from Amazon for $12 - works great! Haven't tried it in the shower, as I'm hesitant - but that would be such a time saver for me in the morning.....
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Did you say "daily" use. That concept is so foreign to me! Pre-covid I probably shaved about once a week. Now since I wear a mask 100% of the times where being presentable is a valuable thing, that has become once per month.
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I shave my whole head with Gillette razors. The biggest factor in improving the experience is using the right lubricant. Shaving cream is just a mess. I got much better results when I switched to shaving oil (Shave Secret works pretty well). I tried out shaving soap and that was better than cream, on par with oil.
These days I just use whatever soap or body wash is handy. It doesn't take much, but I learned that I have to move quickly so that it doesn't dry out, especially when I'm shaving at the sink instead of in the shower.
All that is to say it may not be your choice of razor, it may be your shaving cream.
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@highlander i too am a soft faced sensitive skinned lad, who cannot grow a beard (it comes in patchy) so must shave.
things I have found that help:
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shave in the shower to ensure skin is warm, pores open, and skin is well clean before shaving
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fad razors with more blades aren't better. in fact, with a moisturizing strip and too many blades I find it hard to get right up to my nostrils (not in, just close to nose) so end up having to correct later. boo. I just buy cheap 2 blade dealie in a big pack from costco, and toss the head more frequently.
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I use the Phillips Oneblade electric as needed. Its the best electric I've found.
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aloe shave gel for sensitive skin when I shave. and moisturizer (with SPF for sun!) on inbetween times.
I guess in summary, buy cheap and replace more frequently, and shave in the shower.
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@highlander I travel for work. 2 or 3 days in hotels a week. I blade shave the day i leave. Then electric shave while at work. It works out VERY well. I also use the Gillette 3 blade system and wear a goddamn monkey suit! (collared shirts with a tie.) which isn't the best for sensitive skin. and on my days off in between trips, I really don't shave. So Each blade lasts a long time actually. I use their sensitive gel stuff. It works well overall. I tried Harry's 5 blade stuff that is half the price but the blades are so close together it jams up and is hard to clean. So, if you have to be blade close every day, you might just have to change shave cream until you find something you like or try some pre-shave things like the hot washcloth preheat, or shave after showers, or something really softens up the hairs and might make it easier to do.
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@highlander as a 41 year old who has been shaving since I was 12 (seriously, for my 12th birthday I got a battery operated Panasonic wet/dry electric shaver).
I use Gillette Mach3 and Mach3 Fusion blades.
I wash my face with warm water to open the pores and a grapefruit face wash (I use the face wash scrub when I'm feeling greasy), thorough rinse then apply King Of Shaves sensitive shave gel (there is an aloe version too) which is a low/none foaming shave gel for precise shaving around my moustache and goatee. While I'm washing and applying the gel, I've been running the hot water tap with my razor in the bottom of the sink allowing the blades to warm up, then I fill the sink with sufficient quite hot water to begin my shave.
The face washing allows time for the hair to soften and the hot water allows the blades to warm up and cut through the hairs more cleanly.
I gently stretch the skin, shaving downwards initially, then across on the cheeks, and then up* giving me a very smooth shave.
Rinse with warm water to clean any shave gel and hairs and then cold water to close the pores up.
If I'm not going anywhere or anywhere significant, I allow the hair to grow for three days or so**, this just allows my skin time to recuperate.*not all hairs follow the same direction.
**try to leave it a few days and not just a couple of days (depending on your hair type and how thick it is) as just a couple the days may feel wiry and uncomfortable when shaving.
