After shave balm burn

[haagiboy]

Just a quick question:

Should an aftershave balm without alcohol burn? Even when applied 6 hours since your shave?
I have this feeling with all my balms, except for the proraso balm which I am all out of atm.

The one that burns: Nivea replenishing, Witch Hazel super medicated, Jason 6-in-1 and TGR unscented.

I have one that is superb for irritated skin: Anthony Razor burn repair. This doesnt burn as much, but it doesn't give me enough moisture.

Also, I sometimes get a little burning sensation on my face with my lather. So I have ordered some different types of soaps/creams for sensitive skin.
I must also point out that all of the products mentioned above didn't burn the first couple of times I used it. Or atleast I can't remember the burn.

 

[cnnc97]

I wouldn't think anything should be burning 6 hours later. I don't think your lather should be burning either.

How have the shaves been? Are you shaving every day? If so, maybe your face needs some days off to heal.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

I wouldn't think anything should be burning 6 hours later. I don't think your lather should be burning either.

How have the shaves been? Are you shaving every day? If so, maybe your face needs some days off to heal.

+1

Alcohol is the main culprit when it comes to burn, but not hours after the shave. Examine each aspect of the shave. Could be technique or an unsuitable blade; anything, really.

Good luck figuring it out!

 

[haagiboy]

Lol, I forgot to mention that I reapplied it 6 hours after the shave. DOH!

So yeah, after shave balm should burn abit? Even if it doesnt contain alcohol?

 

[Drubbing]

Balm shouldn't burn. either you really irritate your skin shaving, so the products are useless, or you are reacting to something common to all of them, and your lather.

That's less likely than poor technique being the cause. Especially if you're needing to reapply after 6 hours.

 

[cnnc97]

Lol, I forgot to mention that I reapplied it 6 hours after the shave. DOH!

So yeah, after shave balm should burn abit? Even if it doesnt contain alcohol?

I assumed you meant that you were reapplying it. I don't think it should be burning if you reapply 6 hours later.

The only think I can think is you are tearing your face up during the shave.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

A balm, according to my American Heritage dictionary is: A soothing, healing, or comforting agent or quality.

It should not burn. I use it when I wish to avoid a burn. You might be allergic to a particular ingredient and need to switch brands. I'm using boutique balm, cologne, and AS made in USA and I have had no problems that I didn't expect. I know my Double Strength Ogallala Bay Rum will burn no matter what. My AS balm will never do so.

Again, good luck!

 

[ackvil]

Balm shouldn't burn. either you really irritate your skin shaving, so the products are useless, or you are reacting to something common to all of them, and your lather.

That's less likely than poor technique being the cause. Especially if you're needing to reapply after 6 hours.

Most likely it's too much pressure and blade angle causing the burn.

Here is what I do and it works for me. First, I wash off my face with a wash cloth dipped in warm water to get rid of all of the remaining lather. Next, I soak a wash cloth in cold water and put in on my face for about 30 seconds. Next I apply a splash of WH. I use Thayer’s Rose Petal WH. It is alcohol free and does not sting when it goes on but provides soothing relief to my skin. I then use a skin moisturizer to provide relief.

 

[rockviper]

While waiting for skin irritation to die down, you could try some talc. I use Borotalco, but most here seem to like Clubman.

 

[haagiboy]

Guys, my shave is fine. No problems there. The burn STARTS 3-4 seconds after applying a balm.

It doesn't burn when I'm done shaving, I'm not shaving too close at all. It's not bbs, it's comfortable and I don't apply any pressure. It's not a irritation thing from the shaving, alteast that's what I think.
It is the balm.

So, if you guys say that it shouldn't be burning when I apply it, then I guess I'm allergic to something in it. Never been allergic to anything in my life, untill I started wetshaving.... Now I obviously have a REALLY sensitive skin.

Again, I must say that the proraso balm didnt burn at all, and therefore I believed it wasnt doing anything good. Guess I'll have to buy me some proraso balm!

 

[beginish]

Guys, my shave is fine. No problems there. The burn STARTS 3-4 seconds after applying a balm.

It doesn't burn when I'm done shaving, I'm not shaving too close at all. It's not bbs, it's comfortable and I don't apply any pressure. It's not a irritation thing from the shaving, alteast that's what I think.
It is the balm.

So, if you guys say that it shouldn't be burning when I apply it, then I guess I'm allergic to something in it. Never been allergic to anything in my life, untill I started wetshaving.... Now I obviously have a REALLY sensitive skin.

Again, I must say that the proraso balm didnt burn at all, and therefore I believed it wasnt doing anything good. Guess I'll have to buy me some proraso balm!

I get a very slight burn with Penhaligon's balms if it has been a rough shave, but no burn with TOBS, Feather, L'Occitane or DR Harris balms. I never got burn from Nivea. Short answer, it's possible to get a burn, but I'm hard pressed to put my finger on what in the balm would be causing it.

 

[haagiboy]

I get a very slight burn with Penhaligon's balms if it has been a rough shave, but no burn with TOBS, Feather, L'Occitane or DR Harris balms. I never got burn from Nivea. Short answer, it's possible to get a burn, but I'm hard pressed to put my finger on what in the balm would be causing it.

The problem is that there is 3-4 different balms I have, and in the beginning they where all doing fine. But after I've used them a couple of times, the burn starts.

I think I'll have to go and crosscheck the ingredients list to see if I find the same ingredients in all of them, which may trigger my burn.

 

[cnnc97]

A little burn when first applying is normal if it contains alcohol. Burn from applying 6 hours later is not. No burn the first 3-4 uses, then burn now is weird and I would typically attribute it to bad shaves.

Try taking a few days off, then applying one of the offending products and see if you get any burn and/or redness. That might be a way to tell if it's a reaction to the ingredients.

 

[haagiboy]

A little burn when first applying is normal if it contains alcohol. Burn from applying 6 hours later is not. No burn the first 3-4 uses, then burn now is weird and I would typically attribute it to bad shaves.

Try taking a few days off, then applying one of the offending products and see if you get any burn and/or redness. That might be a way to tell if it's a reaction to the ingredients.

I applied some more balm now, 12 hours after shave, and it definetely gives me a slight burn. And it does not contain any alcohol.
Can an balm, with no alcohol in it, burn on areas where you have had a rough shave? Even 12 hour after?
Because now it only burns on my neck, the area to the top sides of the adams apple.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Sounds like you're still tearing up your face a bit, and something in the balms is letting you know that the healing process isn't complete yet. If you can apply the balm to some non-shaved part of your body for a few days, you'll find out whether or not you're actually allergic to it.

 

[cnnc97]

I applied some more balm now, 12 hours after shave, and it definetely gives me a slight burn. And it does not contain any alcohol.
Can an balm, with no alcohol in it, burn on areas where you have had a rough shave? Even 12 hour after?
Because now it only burns on my neck, the area to the top sides of the adams apple.

If it's only 1 area I would think it has to be a shave-quality issue. I had that problem for a while and backed off a little on going ATG in order to cut down on irritation and buring from AS.

What's your shave like, how many passes, do you go ATG, etc?

 

[haagiboy]

WTG (7 on slim, 1 on Futur)
XTG (4-5 on slim, 1 on Futur)
ATG (1 on slim, 1 on Futur)

 

[BladeRunner001]

What are the balms that irritate you. The only one that I read that is fine is Proraso. You actually may be a bit reactive towards something in the balms (except the Proraso)...I get very mild irritation using T&H balms too

A couple of suggestions:

1. Make sure you wash/rinse your face with warm water after each shave (thoroughly), followed by cold water. Don;t put anything on for a few minutes. See if you get a burning sensation like the one you experience from the balms.

2. Use a different moisturizing lotion...I use Trumper's and it is great. I mix mine with aftershave and after the initial 4-5 second alcohol burn, I am left with truly moisturized skin all day long.

I have a feeling that you have some left over lather after your shave which is irritating your skin.

 

[BCatl]

You just have more sensitive skin than most people. I go through a similar thing sometimes.

My face just says "too much" and I have to pull back from everything. I have fair skin, blonde hair.

As I mentioned on here before, Razor Pete, a dermatologist who posts here, has recommended alum bloc applied lightly as something gentle.

It's good you found that the Proraso works and hopefully you can get some more soon.

 

[MKL1980]

Just want to share my trail and errors. To me I think your putting to much pressure on your razor. Try not putting any down pressure. Cause when I had that problem, I was miserable everything burned. Iwould have to wait 1 or 2 says between shaves till figured out the pressure for that razor. And also follow all the procedures to the fullest. Ever since I have no more troubles. Every once in a while I'll get a Lil burn with alchol based balm. Then I know I put a Lil to much pressure in certain areas. Hope this helps