Thread: razor rash

ok I'm on my 6th week of shaving i shave daily and I got this pimpley rash on my neck I was told it would go away when my skin got used to straight shaving but it has not and I have tried changing soaps and aftershaves.

Could be too much pressure .... are you feeling irritation along with the rash ? Maybe give it a couple of days to rest if going unshaven is an option.

I'd also say too much pressure. Neo-Sporen works well on those irritated spots.

It's easy to use too much pressure and impossible to use too little.

I'm useing a light touch with no pressure could the problem be that its a shavette I was told shavettes are not good for beginners and cause irritation

I too began with a Shavette, and it is certainly true that proper straights are more "forgiving". On the other hand, starting with a Shavette really helped me get my technique down so the switch to a real straight razor was effortless. With a Shavette and a good blade, there is NO reason for any pressure at all. All you are doing is wiping the lather off your face, and the whiskers will come off with the lather. There is no work to be done except to guide the razor over your face. Any irritation, burn or nicks are a result of pressure, any pressure at all.

I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised. Especially if it is one of those that uses those broken in half DE blades. FWIW, I do tattoos professionally and for many years used a replaceable blade straight, usually a Weck, with throw away blades. The last ones I used, before we went to disposable safety razors, were the Personna blades. I tried shaving my face with those and they are sorely lacking for smoothness and comfort. Alright to shave an arm or a leg though. Anyhow, a genuine shave ready straight razor would probably make a big difference.

Usually a rash=irritation so you have to figure out whether it is something you are doing or maybe some allergy to a product you are using or just your skin having to adjust. I would start by changing blades and seeing what happens.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Usually a rash=irritation so you have to figure out whether it is something you are doing or maybe some allergy to a product you are using or just your skin having to adjust. I would start by changing blades and seeing what happens.

Yep, try a different blade.... Some worked well for me and others not so well. Which blade are you using?

All good advice given above. As mentioned it is either your technique or a product you are using. Start with the simplest. Go back to the shave cream you were using before you picked up the shavette. It's probably not the best but it will tell you if you are allergic to the shave cream. Skip any pre shave oils and use your long time aftershave. If you are still getting the rash it is your technique. Ask someone to watch you shave keeping an eye on the angle of the blade. Show them the proper angle before you start and have them mention when your angle gets to far out of the preferred. I had CarrieM watch me when I first got into this sport and it helped a lot. It's hard to see the angle w/ peripheral vision in a lot of areas. She still watches from time to time. As for pressure, you should just barely feel the blade on you face. Blade angle and pressure are the most common causes of rash. Allergic reaction and a ph of the products you are using that doesn't agree with you are the others. Some scents cause a slight burning sensation on some people but not others. Good luck.