Acute razor burn/rash

[Mike in Cincy]

A few days ago I got a razor burn on my cheek area. This is very unusual for two reasons. I've not used any different products or technique. Also, I don't EVER get ingrowns or razor burn in this area. It's now developed into a rash-like state, and is still contained with the beard area. I couldn't get in to a Dermotologist, so I went to my PCP and he thinks it's just razor burn. He told me to stop shaving for 2 weeks. He also gave me an RX for an antibiotic in case it's bacterial in nature.

Has something like this happened to anyone else?

 

[oscarbowman]

Hey thats a tough one! No change to you routine that you can pin it down to! The no shaving for a fortnight would be a killer.

Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[Mike in Cincy]

So the Dr. literally got out this skin disorder text book to show me pics of razor burn to me and the med student following him around. I was glancing at the paragraph underneath it as he was reading it to me. I had to laugh because it was all the stuff we on this board already know. ie. use a single bladed razor, warm water, blah blah blah. It also mention the Bump Fighter razor which I already have.

He did mention that once I start shaving again to use an electric shaver for a while. My other question would be...are there any that don't employ the 'lift and cut' method? What about the travel Braun razor with the flip top design?

 

[SirPhobos]

Just a quick note to say that the mysterious irritation sounds like a possible low-level bacterial infection, if you were using otherwise the same kit as always. Was it a fresh blade or possibly one that didn't get fully-rinsed? It happens. While you're healing up just pull with the grain and try to avoid any cross-cutting or going against the grain.

If you go with an electric razor, I've heard that the 3-spinner-style Norelco razors are better for your skin than the lift/cuts.

Cheers!

 

[Go West Young Man]

We've had extensive discussions about this before, and the general (but not unanimous) thought of the board was that unless a dermatologist has been educated specifically on wetshaving with a blade their advise to shavers is often misguided.

To wit - if you have to look up razor burn in a book, it's unlikely that you're conversant with quality shave products, multi-pass beard reductions, etc. Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they automatically know everything.

Personally, I don't see switching to an electric as a solution to your problem UNLESS the dermatologist specifically mentioned a reason why a DE should be avoided. He may think you're hacking at yourself with a rusty old blade - that's certainly the impression the general public has about wetshaving.

 

[Mike in Cincy]

The Doc did mention using a single blade over the cartridge razors. He just said to think about using an electric for the first few shaves since they don't get as close.

 

[BlackBard]

The Doc did mention using a single blade over the cartridge razors. He just said to think about using an electric for the first few shaves since they don't get as close.

That's probably the key, right there. Don't shave too closely the first few times after you resume shaving. Just WTG, maybe only a single pass. You can live with a SAS for a few days and see how your skin does. Any way, you will look great, after having not shaved for two weeks.

Good luck.