Burns like a thousand suns

[SOLDIER #819]

Shaving of ALL kinds! We all know where this thread is going, but that's cool. Or maybe it itches. Either way, until then:

I have had so many issues with shaving, or facial hair in general. I can never get a really clean shave, which leads to irritation. But then if I don't shave and let a beard grow out, it itches like hell if for about a month, which irritates me.

Tried a few different razors. Was using double-bladed for a while, then went to single-bladed when I heard they irritated less as they're not shaving away at your skin. Neither worked. Then I tried a 4-blade, and a 5 or 6-blade by some company, and the latter worked for a bit, but wasn't perfect. Then I bought an expensive electric razor, which seems to work the best for sensitive skin, but it requires a lot of upkeep and isn't perfect anyway. So I'm doomed until my skin bucks the **** up.

I think it would be cool to shave messages into my arms.

[Lacquer Head]

Real men shave with a brick. The first time I ever shaved, I didn't use shaving cream or water...safe to say there was a LOT of razor burn...

[Josh_R]

If you are having problems getting a clean shave man do some warm up type shit a bit. Take a shower before gets everything nice, and smooth for the shave. Try that hot towel shit, it never comes out as good as if you get it done at a barber shop, but works decent. I have a bottle of some stuff I ordered online called pre shave oil. Rub it in a few minutes before your shave then go. Gotta take some steps for a good clean shave.

When I was in the marines I used to have problems with irritation when I first started shaving every damn day. But once I got some of these things down it became easier.

Right now I got a pretty intense bit of facial hair going. Gotta have my Obi-Wan beard for my Obi-Wan costume.

[Unknown Entity]

I don't shave facial hair personally, but the better half does. When he has a beard, I treat him to the odd neck and cheek rub, which apparently feels amazing. Also, my shoulder is also a scratching post when we're just chilling, so I get that it's a bad experience all round.

Personally, I love it when he has a little beard going, but he hates it until it grows out to a certain length. I bought him a mini tub of moisturiser for use the night after he shaves, and apparently it helps a little with the first night/second morning irritation, which is apparently the worst part of it - that first night and two days after, he gets a couple of spots under his chin, but the cream helps keep them at bay and helps with the itchiness. He thought it would sting like that aftershave stuff, but it's soothing if you use it a good number of hours after the shave. It's a shame it doesn't really work once the beard has already grown because there's hair in the way.

The hot towel stuff works for him too, but it's a rare thing. You can buy steamers and microwavable towel packets (you put them in a bowl of hot water, or something - not sure), but they're expensive and he can't say he rates them because he's never tried them other than the few times he's been to the barbers.

I was thinking about getting him an electric razor for Christmas, the ones with the additional mini razor for awkward places and styling, but I won't bother if they're not as good anyway. Any recommendations?

[Kurt Zisa]

I have one of those rechargeable razors and they work fine. I can't compare them to regular razors, as I've never used them but it takes maybe a minute or two to shave and the battery lasts up to 40 minutes so they're worth the money. Plus there's very little irritation which is a definite plus.

[Cyric]

If you shave with hot water and let the metal on your razor heat up just a little bit it will cut through the hair a little bit better. C:

[Clint]

See, I don't have this problem, because I don't shave. Only losers shave their facial hair. What I do is I concentrate real hard, which can take anywhere from 12 hours to three and half months, and my hair retracts into my face.

Yes, this seems kind of weird, but doing so will add 29 seconds to your life, and there's a lot you can do with 29 seconds. Especially when you're 82. It took me 29 seconds to stand up from a seated position. Now that's impressive.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Shaving is for pussies. Making your hair retract back into your body is for real men. And anybody who disagrees deserves a little taste of the red right hand of Eastwood.

[Mystyrion]

I just shave with an electric razor like twice a week.

I can get a pretty good goatee going but not much else is going on for me with facial hair right now.

[loaf]

I stick my razor under hot water for 30 seconds before shaving. I also put warm water all over my face (shower or not). I make a motion to basically push my hair upwards. I dry shave and what not and I have no irritation. I use soap.

[motscroises]

Maybe you could try putting Nair all over your face? I rather like it, makes the hair grow back in softer than shaving <3

[Leon]

My chin rarely burns after shaving, unless I apply my AXE soon after >_>'

[LocoColt04]

Well certainly - you're applying alcohol to an open wound! Ouch.


Dry shave for me. If I'm going for the fully-clean look, I'll cut it all off with the electric razor first, and then follow up with hot water and the blade. I'm told scruff is a better look on me though, so I usually just try to keep that in check instead.

[Joe]

Maybe you could try putting Nair all over your face? I rather like it, makes the hair grow back in softer than shaving <3

OW OW OW OW. That just sounds like bad times all around.

Personally I shave every week or two, more or less when the beard starts to get annoyingly itchy. Electric Razors all the way.

[Alpha]

I think the trick is all in the shaving cream. Lather that up, pile it on, avoid shaving any part of your skin that isn't glistening with it. Reapply if necessary. I don't get any irritation during, immediately after, or during re-growth. I just get irritated by hair being pressed against my face on my pillow at night.

If it's long, pre-trim with an electric razor.

If it's still not working, and you go for the electric option, look for one that has a foil attachment (looks like a small drum with holes). It's sole purpose is to cut stubble down to the skin. Mine works just as well as a blade shave, with 0% chance of irritation. Takes quite a few passes to get it right though.

[Heartless Angel]

I used to hate shaving my face, I still do kinda, but not because it's uncomfortable. I've worn a beard for several years now, I usually keep it anywhere from 3/8" to 5/8". I still have to shave the neckbeard part though, because that looks like shit if I don't. I use an electric that does a pretty good job, very little irritation. I just use a cheap Wahl electric razor with interchangeable combs and a couple different heads, one for wide area, one stander size, on small for detail work, and then the last one is just to get closer on what the normal heads leave behind. Never used any aftershave or any of that crap, never needed to.

[loaf]

Just for the record, shaving creme and no shaving creme or even soap all work the same. Unless you have some sort of very sensitive skin.

[Lacquer Head]

Shaving is for pussies.

My ex didn't seem to agree...if you catch my drift. (vaginas)

[Dawezy]

Week before last trimming a day 6 scruff, made the mistake of starting the razor closer to my top lip then I usually do.. left a nice little slash, annoying spot to have blood spurt out lol.

Took a while to heal back up due to like, talking and breathing and eating and stuff. Tend to use both shower wash and shaving cream when I do the deed, leaves it nice and smooth ^_^ have a shower after it most times due to the cream everywhere - the disadvantage of being a hairy manly man stuff gets caught in your chest hair lol.

[Michael Swayne]

I normally shave once a week, usually on Wednesday. But I have decided to try the No-Shave November thing this year. I can usually last for a couple weeks without shaving before it starts itching. As for my shaving routine, I use a three-blade razor dry, but sometimes I shave in the shower after washing my hair. No sense in wasting more water, so I will just shave while rinsing the shampoo out of my hair.