Hi there, this will be my first post on the forum so I hope it is allowed here!
I started DE shaving in Dec 2014, started out with a Merkur 34C and a Taylor of Old Bond Street brush and almond shaving cream. I experimented with blades for a few months until settling with Feathers as I found almost all other blades led to irritation and burn on my neck. Fast forward to now, I have recently changed to a 37C slantbar and have begun using Astra Platinums as I was finding feathers too harsh in the slantbar. I have also switched out my brush for one recommended on shaving shack but I can't remember the brand right now...
My shave routine consists of a hot shower / hot towel followed by either Proraso menthol pre shave balm or L'Occitaine shave oil depending on my mood. I then face lather my cream and conduct 3 passes, WTG, WTG and XTG. To finish I wash my face with warm water and a towel, use an alum block with cold water if my irritation is bad and then finish with a L'Occitaine post shave balm. If I shave without showering first the irritation I get is unbearable!!
My issue is that I have very coarse stubble and sensitive skin. I quit shaving ATG in January this year once I got my slantbar as the irritation was too much, unfortunately this leaves me with a permastubble and I cannot achieve a clean shaven look even though it feels BBS. More problematic is my neck which suffers from irritation most shaves and I also have an array of black marks which are attributed to my switch to DE shaving as I never had them when I used to shave with cartridges.
Really I'm looking for some advice on how I can get my neck to heal up, and possibly reduce my irritation. I have toyed with getting some witch hazel to use post shave after my balm as I have heard this can help heal the skin. I am still testing other blades but the Astras seem sharp enough and are definitely more forgiving so I think I may stick with them and change the blade once a shave. I have also considered changing my cream to a soap as its nearly finished, I have a tub of Edwin Jagger sandalwood soap that I use when I go traveling which I can start using.
Thanks for reading and I will appreciate any help
I started DE shaving in Dec 2014, started out with a Merkur 34C and a Taylor of Old Bond Street brush and almond shaving cream. I experimented with blades for a few months until settling with Feathers as I found almost all other blades led to irritation and burn on my neck. Fast forward to now, I have recently changed to a 37C slantbar and have begun using Astra Platinums as I was finding feathers too harsh in the slantbar. I have also switched out my brush for one recommended on shaving shack but I can't remember the brand right now...
My shave routine consists of a hot shower / hot towel followed by either Proraso menthol pre shave balm or L'Occitaine shave oil depending on my mood. I then face lather my cream and conduct 3 passes, WTG, WTG and XTG. To finish I wash my face with warm water and a towel, use an alum block with cold water if my irritation is bad and then finish with a L'Occitaine post shave balm. If I shave without showering first the irritation I get is unbearable!!
My issue is that I have very coarse stubble and sensitive skin. I quit shaving ATG in January this year once I got my slantbar as the irritation was too much, unfortunately this leaves me with a permastubble and I cannot achieve a clean shaven look even though it feels BBS. More problematic is my neck which suffers from irritation most shaves and I also have an array of black marks which are attributed to my switch to DE shaving as I never had them when I used to shave with cartridges.
Really I'm looking for some advice on how I can get my neck to heal up, and possibly reduce my irritation. I have toyed with getting some witch hazel to use post shave after my balm as I have heard this can help heal the skin. I am still testing other blades but the Astras seem sharp enough and are definitely more forgiving so I think I may stick with them and change the blade once a shave. I have also considered changing my cream to a soap as its nearly finished, I have a tub of Edwin Jagger sandalwood soap that I use when I go traveling which I can start using.
Thanks for reading and I will appreciate any help