Thread: Effing Razor Burn.....Suggestions please!

I know this is a VERY common problem and post but I was hoping I could get some suggestions. I've tried EVERYTHING (it seems like). Pre-shave oils, disposable razors, Mach 3, Mach Fusion, Merker, Phillips Norelco Electric, Venus, Feather Nape Straight razor, Baxter-Finley Razor Bump Relief, Art of Shaving products, you name it. Nothing seems to work.

My morning routine:
1) Wake up and massage Jack Black Beard Lube all over face and neck
2) Drape hot towel from towel warmer over face and neck
3) Whisk shaving bar soap in mug with badger brush and lather up
4) Shave my face and top half of my neck with the Merker Double Edge Safety razor
5) Very Very Very carefully shave (more like carefully pick) my sideways and circular bottom half of my neck/Adam's apple area
6) Cold towel to close pores and then apply after shave and Baxter-Finley razor bump relief

BUT NO MATTER WHAT, I'LL GET RAZOR BURN!!!! Here's a photo of what I deal with:

Are you shaving against the grain? Try just shaving with the grain in that area, then later on experiment with shaving across the grain. Just doing WTG and XTG passes with no pressure can make a huge difference. It works for me. Also, try to map out the beard growth on that area and figure out what directions your WTG and XTG passes will be.

My skin is super sensitive too, so I've all but abandoned ATG. XTG passes work just as well IMO, and they allow me to shave again a lot sooner than ATG shaves. I do increase the angle of my XTG passes on more hardy areas like my cheeks (so that I'm shaving at about 30 degrees towards the direction of the growth vs. perfectly perpendicular to it) but anything beyond that leaves me raw too regardless of prep or post.

Have you tried an alum block or thayers before the towel? I have really sensitive skin, the only thing that has ever made a noticeable difference was to use an alum block immediately after shaving before touching my face with anything, after I let it dry I rub which hazel on my face followed by ASB. I have seen a real improvement since starting to use the alum block.

I also never shave against the grain on my neck only with the grain, comfort over closeness for me.

You may also find that its worth trying a range of blades (get hold of a sampler pack) I find some cause me irritation. For example Gillette Superthins, Wilkinson Swords and Astras are fine for me but Feathers, Treet Stainless and Gillette Bleues cause me burn.

I'd also agree with trying alum, its the on consistent thing in all my shaves.

As mentioned before, it seems to me that you may be using too much pressure.

You know what I've found... Pulling the skin tightly isn't always best for me. Especially under the chin, I get a much better and much more comfortable shave when I put my head/neck down and make the pass with my razor. I had exactly the same problem until I started doing this.

Yep, i get that when I use DEs sometimes. Try a str8t. You can control the agressiveness by the holding angle. I also use noxzema (in a tub) as pre shave. It is thick and provides a cushion.. The best thing is you can buy it for cheap anywhere.

I'd concentrate more on the causes of your problem than treatment of it. You want to change your routine so you won't have to treat the razor burn at all. I'd start by eliminating all your pre-shave routine except some warm water splashed on the face and then just shave WTG once to see what happens. That should be diagnostic in itself.

#1, move on up to a straight. I too am razor burn sensitive and have found that the only thing that worked for me was an alcohol based aftershave, especially during the summer months. Even when I started shaving with a straight I would get it if I didn't use alcohol based AS. The alum block is now a part of my arsenal as well.

My routine: After the shave I will rinse my face in cold water, rub the alum block over the my wet face and blot dry. I finish getting ready (teeth, deodorant, etc.) and last thing before I leave the bathroom is apply my AS.