Razor bumps

Sumguy

Golden Member
Jun 2, 2007
1,409
0
0
I apparently fail at shaving. Two days after a shave my skin gets irritated and razor bumps start appearing. If its bad enough I stop for two weeks and try again. I've been lazy about it for a while but I've managed to go a week without them getting too bad.

Looked into it and apparently all the 3-5 blade shit makes them worse, so I've been considering getting one of these these things.
 

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
Do those actually work? I've always been afraid to put that stuff near my face.

They work but they smell bad, they burn, and you have to let them sit on your face/neck for a while for them to work. The other downside is you will be doing it every day if you would normally have to shave every day.
 

polarmystery

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,888
8
81
Is you black?

If so, depilatory cream is your friend.

No it is not...

<---Black guy


Do yourself a favor OP and get the razor you posted. It will take longer shaving, but well worth it. Remember, let the blade do the work.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Save with the grain not against the grain. Problem solved.


It won't be as close of a shave and you'll have to shave more often but you shouldn't get any more razor burn or ingrown hairs.
 

Sumguy

Golden Member
Jun 2, 2007
1,409
0
0
Save with the grain not against the grain. Problem solved.


It won't be as close of a shave and you'll have to shave more often but you shouldn't get any more razor burn or ingrown hairs.

lol I learned that the hard way when I was 13 and shaved the peach fuzz growing on my chin for the first time. I wouldn't want to imagine how terrible the razor bumps would be if I shaved against the grain now.
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,892
543
126
Also, don't use a razor when there is more than two or three days growth. Use electric clippers or trimmers first, then use razor. The shorter the hair, the better. Razors should really only be used on a daily basis, or at least every other day.
 
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Born2bwire

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2005
9,840
6
71
Try using an alum block on your face after you shave. They help to cut down on irritation, bumps and ingrown hairs.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,900
14,298
146
No it is not...

<---Black guy


Do yourself a favor OP and get the razor you posted. It will take longer shaving, but well worth it. Remember, let the blade do the work.

They don't work for everyone...but I've known several black guys who, no matter what kind of razor they used, what "shaving technique" they tried, whether they used ice-cold water, scalding hot water, shave cream, shave gel, or just water...always fought the razor bumps...and depilatory cream was their only solution.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Try a men's face wash or face scrub. At WalMart, they're right next to the shaving supplies and they specifically have men's products, so don't worry about having to hand in the man card and venture into the women's section.
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
I moved to a Double Edge blade from my Shick Quattro. All razor bumps and ingrowns are nearly gone.

It takes some getting used to and is surely not a quick shave, but it is satisfying.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
You should look into electric razors. They dont shave as close but you might have better luck w/ razor bumps
 

the DRIZZLE

Platinum Member
Sep 6, 2007
2,956
1
81
I moved to a Double Edge blade from my Shick Quattro. All razor bumps and ingrowns are nearly gone.

It takes some getting used to and is surely not a quick shave, but it is satisfying.

I made the same move years ago and got the same results. I'd say the bumps and irritation are 75% gone.
 

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
81
The razor you picked should be a decent one. My first couple of shaves with a very similar Parker razor resulted in a couple of cuts, but I now much prefer shaving with DE safety razor as opposed to the multiblade razors out now. Also, if you amass several days worth of stubble, it shaves without a problem, unlike a multiblade that would clog up and cause severe irritation.
 

Pollock

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2004
1,989
0
0
I have been using a DE for a few months now, and while it is probably the best shave I've had so far, it still leaves something to be desired. I can't really ever get a close shave, and if I try, I get really bad razor burn.

Would this have something to do with the frequency with which I shave? I only shave once every 5 days or so, trimming with my electric on other days.
 

classy

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
15,219
1
81
As a blackman prone to razor bumps, you should never ever put a razor on your face. You want to use beard trimmers that cut your hair close to the skin but not at skin level. Our hair curls as it grows and it will grow back into your face. Check out trimmers, by wahl and andis. As for the razor bumps, get yourself a stick pin, clean with alcohol and lift the hair out of the bump. The reason for the bumps is the hair is curling up under your skin. The only way to get rid of the bump is to lift the hair out of the bump. I use hair trimmers, but boomerd is right, many black men have success using a depilatory cream like Magic Shave. Get your yourself a facial loofah to lightly rub your beard area and use a good moisturizer after every shave and use a some hydrocortisone. Also stop washing your face with soap and use a nice facial scrub lightly every other day. One it will help soften your hair and two scrubs keep your face from wrinkling early. Best anti wrinkle secret. Soap dries your skin too much. The moisturizer I use and have for years
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/s...id=Shopping_Feed_Products_Google_Free_Listing
Good stuff real good stuff
Happy shaving, if you need any other tips send me a PM. When I was in boot camp they sent me to a shaving clinic and a Master Sergeant taught us how to shave. White guys can get it too, just not as prevalent.
 

polarmystery

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,888
8
81
They don't work for everyone...but I've known several black guys who, no matter what kind of razor they used, what "shaving technique" they tried, whether they used ice-cold water, scalding hot water, shave cream, shave gel, or just water...always fought the razor bumps...and depilatory cream was their only solution.

Agreed. My dad uses a depilatory cream and that shit always smelled bad when I was in high school but he swears by it now. He only uses it once a week though.
 

Numenorean

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2008
4,442
1
0
Is you black?

If so, depilatory cream is your friend.

RACIST! Making him put white cream to cover up his black face!


Seriously though, here is what you need:

Good basic safety razor:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Merkur-23C-Long-Handle-Safety-Razor_p_52.html

Good blades:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Feather-Double-Edge-Razor-Blades_p_62.html

Shave Brush:

http://tinyurl.com/2beobah

No need to spend $100 on a shave brush before you are sure you like it. The Tweezerman is a good brush. Fuck dynamite data.

Shaving Cream - lots to choose from. Geo F Trumper is good, you may like other cheaper stuff, you just have to try them to figure it out.

Shave bowl - lots to pick here also.
 

HumblePie

Lifer
Oct 30, 2000
14,665
440
126
Shaving is an art that is different based on your facial hair type. If you are black with really tight curly hair, you do not want to shave at all. Ever. As classy said, it grow back into the skin. Since I don't have that type of facial hair I only learned of it as well through boot camp in the military. So what classy says is right here.

As a white guy, I have different problems with shaving and facial hair. Especially since white people tend to have hair grains that grow in different directions everywhere more often. Meaning some hairs will grow down, while the hairs right next to it will grow up, and the ones next to that will grow sideways. I've seen some swirl patterns as well.

For me, I'm a bit strange. I can actually dry shave my face above the jaw line and even go against the grain. It doesn't bother me at all except around my lips. No razor bumps or anything irritating. Now below the jaw is a completely different matter. So I use two sets of razors to accomplish what I need. You may have to as well.

Also, if you do use a razor still, keeping care of the blades is a must. I have a jar of barbers alcohol that I store my blades in. Keeps down oxidation and keeps the blades lasting longer and sharper. Also dry off the blades immediately on a towel as well. Rinse blades with every stroke too.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
You should look into electric razors. They dont shave as close but you might have better luck w/ razor bumps

If your primary problem is razor bumps and ingrown hairs then an electric razor, with their "lift-and-cut" malarky, is just about the worst possible thing you could try.
 
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