African-Americans And DE Wetshaving

[OV1kenobi]

One of my coworkers and I have really hit it off quite well recently; particularly when we discovered that we are both about the same age and the both of us are originally from Kenya.

While discussing many other subjects, we somehow eventually got onto the subject of shaving, and he noted my enthusiasm regarding DE wetshaving and all that goes with it.

However, unlike me, he is a black man and although intrigued, he is somewhat apprehensive about putting a blade to his face. Seems he uses some sort of chemical concoction to essentially disolve his whiskers.

Any reason why a black man can't wetshave? Should he be apprehensive?

Warmest Regards,

David

 

[VR6ofpain]

Seems he uses some sort of chemical concoction to essentially disolve his whiskers.

I've always seen that stuff in the shave isle at Target. Always wondered if it worked well. From what I recall my wife says all the women's "chemical shave products" don't work well. They apparently irritate the skin and often only remove some hairs.

I can only imagine it being less pleasant when used on the face. I think it may be worth while for you friend to try a DE. Maybe let him borrow one? Or recommend he a cheaper Merkur Classic...just in case it doesn't work out?

 

[Gray Wolf]

I had a brief conversation with a black guy about shaving a long time ago.
He was putting something on his face before shaving, and I asked him why he was using that product.
He told me that if he didn't use it, he got bumps on his face from shaving.
Maybe from ingrown hairs because black guys' hair is more curly than white guys?

 

[Luc]

I don't know if this helps but in the check-in thread, there's this one...

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=91337

 

[eddie13231]

Its not just AA people but also any individual with really curly hair; they are all prone to ingrown hairs. Its because the hair itself, when cut, tends to grow back under the top layer of the skin and cause an ingrown hair.

 

[maj_planb]

I can only speak for myself on this. As a Black American (no direct connections to Africa for the last 200-300 years), I've found DE wetshaving to be part of the answer to razor bumps. It probably has more to do with careful shaving prep and attention to detail in shaving than anything else. This morning I had a DFS with a Merkur Futur, Derby DE blade and Kiss My Face shaving cream.

In my opinion, a man with curly/coarse facial hairs need not be apprehensive about DE shaving. He just needs to take his particular characteristics into account concerning his beard and the contours of his face. Knowing your equipment and studying the art of shaving helps too.

 

[Mink]

With the greatest respect, there are a couple of things I can think of that would make someone of African descent a little reluctant to take up DE.

One is clean water. For most of our history, a BBS was an invitation to disaster because of infection. This may not be an issue, but if it is, I can see where his routine for facial hair would not include shaving with very sharp instruments and less than potable water.

The other is, I can't remember the last time I saw an African-American in a Gillette commercial. I know Tiger Woods represented Gillette, but I can't recall a commercial with him shaving in it. Gillette hasn't made products that target only African-American men's practices with shaving - so I guess they view it as "there's no difference". It seems that anyone starting out has an adjustment period, and then their own technique takes care of things. The help on this site is invaluable.

If you think there are details that would be beneficial to AA's, then you could add to the wiki or ask for a sticky post. Or, you could let him handle your brushes, smell all the goodies, see what balm makes your skin feel like - and then it begins.

 

[ek.310]

I agree with Mink!..good show sir!

 

[Luc]

I didn't see Tiger shave either, the closest I've seen is this

 

[lilotaku]

Its not just AA people but also any individual with really curly hair; they are all prone to ingrown hairs. Its because the hair itself, when cut, tends to grow back under the top layer of the skin and cause an ingrown hair.

I have crazy thick beard and I'd go through the 5 bladed disposable heads within 3 shaves before they started getting useless and giving me razor bumps and in-grown hairs. I think most people who have in-grown hairs and razor rash with disposables is due to the fact that they pull the skin then cut the hair instead of cutting it straight through. Ever since I started using a straight razor, I rarely/never have problems with in-grown hairs or razor rash.

 

[ProphetNoir]

I wore a full beard for thirty years before I decided to try for being consistently clean shaven for one last time. As a Black man I had tried pretty much everything in my youth, including the dreaded Magic Shave depilitory powder. Really vile stuff. It wasn't until I stumbled across the now famous Corey Greenberg article taken from his appearance on the Today show that I decided to take one more drink of the Kool-Aid. That led me here to B&B and I haven't turned back.
The thing is, I can still get ingrown hairs even though I use a DE and badger brush, but that has little to do with my being Black. Everyone's beard is ethnic after all. It is true that curlier hair will increase th likelihood of ingrown occurences, but proper shaving technique will eliminate practically every other problem one has with shaving, leaving only the ingrowns to deal with. It will take care and some patient practice but even that problem can be minimized and, I believe, eliminated. I know that I have been at this now for a couple of years and I have never enjoyed or looked forward to a grooming ritual more than I do my shaves.
I hope that more people who have avoided shaving out of a necessity but who, like myself, have hated not having the option of shaving will find their way here to B&B. The shaving forums here are the most welcoming of any forum of any type I have encountered on the web.
Get your friend to give us a look, all are welcome and the encouragement is neverending.

 

[Bulldawg]

Its not just AA people but also any individual with really curly hair; they are all prone to ingrown hairs. Its because the hair itself, when cut, tends to grow back under the top layer of the skin and cause an ingrown hair.

+ 1. I think we (African Americans) and others with very curly hair have a smaller margin of error when it comes to cutting too close or pulling/tugging the hair. If you cut that curly hair too close it will likely result in an ingrowns.

I can only speak for myself on this. As a Black American (no direct connections to Africa for the last 200-300 years), I've found DE wetshaving to be part of the answer to razor bumps. It probably has more to do with careful shaving prep and attention to detail in shaving than anything else. This morning I had a DFS with a Merkur Futur, Derby DE blade and Kiss My Face shaving cream.

In my opinion, a man with curly/coarse facial hairs need not be apprehensive about DE shaving. He just needs to take his particular characteristics into account concerning his beard and the contours of his face. Knowing your equipment and studying the art of shaving helps too.

yep...what he said

I wore a full beard for thirty years before I decided to try for being consistently clean shaven for one last time. As a Black man I had tried pretty much everything in my youth, including the dreaded Magic Shave depilitory powder. Really vile stuff. It wasn't until I stumbled across the now famous Corey Greenberg article taken from his appearance on the Today show that I decided to take one more drink of the Kool-Aid. That led me here to B&B and I haven't turned back.The thing is, I can still get ingrown hairs even though I use a DE and badger brush, but that has little to do with my being Black. Everyone's beard is ethnic after all. It is true that curlier hair will increase th likelihood of ingrown occurences, but proper shaving technique will eliminate practically every other problem one has with shaving, leaving only the ingrowns to deal with. It will take care and some patient practice but even that problem can be minimized and, I believe, eliminated. I know that I have been at this now for a couple of years and I have never enjoyed or looked forward to a grooming ritual more than I do my shaves.
I hope that more people who have avoided shaving out of a necessity but who, like myself, have hated not having the option of shaving will find their way here to B&B. The shaving forums here are the most welcoming of any forum of any type I have encountered on the web.
Get your friend to give us a look, all are welcome and the encouragement is neverending.

Same here. I shaved with an electric for 17 years because shaving with a razor and goo/foam was just too miserable. Prior to finding the Corey Greenburg article and B&B I always wanted to shave with a razor but based on my experience with a razor and conversations with others I assumed that black men could not do it without getting razor bumps. What intrigued me was the specific reference to black men in the article. That's what really encouraged me to give this a shot.

 

[OV1kenobi]

+ 1. I think we (African Americans) and others with very curly hair have a smaller margin of error when it comes to cutting too close or pulling/tugging the hair. If you cut that curly hair too close it will likely result in an ingrowns.



yep...what he said



Same here. I shaved with an electric for 17 years because shaving with a razor and goo/foam was just too miserable. Prior to finding the Corey Greenburg article and B&B I always wanted to shave with a razor but based on my experience with a razor and conversations with others I assumed that black men could not do it without getting razor bumps. What intrigued me was the specific reference to black men in the article. That's what really encouraged me to give this a shot.

This is specifically for the black men on this forum: How exactly do you prep? What has given you the best results?

I have some Kiss My Face Cool Mint shave cream, some Isreali Personna and Derby Extra blades, as well as a Gillette Super Speed, Tech or a NEW that I can PIF to my "Rafiki" (good friend).

Warmest Regards and Hakuna Matata,

David

 

[thirdeye]

I have two customers, both are African American and both men suffered from razor bump severely. Knowing about this through prior discussions here on B&B I set both of these gentlemen up with a vintage Gillette techs and Red IP blades. One now uses Proraso Green Tea soap for sensitive skin while the other enjoys the TOBS cream for sensitive skin.
Both use the simple prep, hot shower, cheap Suave hair conditioner and shave. Both rinse with hot water and apply Thayer's Super-hazel, cold rinse and then they both use my GB AS Milk.

They have not had issues with bumps since. They are both members here on B&B today.

 

[maj_planb]

This is specifically for the black men on this forum: How exactly do you prep? What has given you the best results?

I have some Kiss My Face Cool Mint shave cream, some Isreali Personna and Derby Extra blades, as well as a Gillette Super Speed, Tech or a NEW that I can PIF to my "Rafiki" (good friend).

Warmest Regards and Hakuna Matata,

David

I use the Kyle method myself. My skin and beard get moisturized and softened which makes the shave much easier. I also add shaving oil as part of the pre-shave prep before I apply lather and start shaving.

 

[Bulldawg]

This is specifically for the black men on this forum: How exactly do you prep? What has given you the best results?
I have some Kiss My Face Cool Mint shave cream, some Isreali Personna and Derby Extra blades, as well as a Gillette Super Speed, Tech or a NEW that I can PIF to my "Rafiki" (good friend).

Warmest Regards and Hakuna Matata,

David

1. wash face in shower with hot water and a good bar soap
2. rinse face again with hot water before exiting the shower and leave wet
3. face lather with a tallow based or french shaving soap
4. shave with HD Rocket and Feather
5. rinse after last pass and use Thayers Witch Hazel
6. let Witch Hazel dry and use Alcohol based splash in summer and/or Balm in winter.

 

[Trusar]

....

 

[Sabre]

The other is, I can't remember the last time I saw an African-American in a Gillette commercial. I know Tiger Woods represented Gillette, but I can't recall a commercial with him shaving in it.

Tiger Woods I believe only has 1/8th to 1/16th African ancestry. However in Europe, Thierry Henry advertised Gillette products:

 

[one cut]

A friend of mine is from Eritrea (definitely not Ethiopia) and he says that the only way for him to shave is with DE other wise its the red bumps.
So there is no reason not to try DE shaving of you are black.
Bump fighter is also worth a try.

 

[Trusar]

Apply shaving oil.
First hydrate your beard thoroughly with warm to hot water. Apply shaving oil (20% castor oil 70% grape seed oil and essential oil of lavender) to the wet beard. Massage it in . Then u can shave with or without shaving cream on top. Try it. I be u it works.
The blade glides through the lubricated skin. I don't have the same issues but I used to get cut a lot when using a de razor. After applying the above shaving oil no more cuts. The oils not ly lubricated tweaking and helps the blade glides but it repairs the skin moisturises the skin and softens the beard and provides a protective layer between the skin and blade
The above shaving oil when used together with a de razor should sort out the ingrowing hairs and bumps.
I'm sure The above pre shave prep will work