Aftershave causing headaches?

[theinternot]

I have never been a cologne user, nor did I ever use any aftershaves while using a cartridge. So, the use of ASB is entirely new to me with my venture into wet shaving.

It seems that within about 15 minuttes after using ASB I get a nasty headache in the front of my face as if it were irritating my sinuses. It usually lasts for hours if not all night (I shave at night).

I have tried 3 different ones and have found that all have the same effect.

I have tried Proraso, GFT Coral Skin Food, and Nivea.

Has anyone else experienced this?

UPDATE:

I tried a product called Anthony Logistics for Men After Shave Balm tonite. It is fragarence free, alcohol free (which I don't like), uses benzocaine for razor rash relief, and very non-greasy.

It isn't quite as effective some other I have tried, but it's not bad. And, the best part is no headache... at all.

This stuff has a pretty minty smell out of the the tube, but it disappears in about 5 minutes and then nothing at all.

Gonna still try some other brands fragarence free ASB before I plunk down for a full bottle.

 

[taffy]

I have not experianced this but read somewhere on here about it

 

[mojavered]

Have you ever worn colognes and had the same problem? What about when you are out a grocery store or church and some people have so much perfuum/cologne on that it gives you a headache? It may be in the scents or you are really sensitive. Try some Thayers witch hazel as a start and see how you react to that. (I use Dickinson's as it works well, but the smell is not that great and the smell goes away in about 15 min)

 

[theinternot]

Have you ever worn colognes and had the same problem? What about when you are out a grocery store or church and some people have so much perfuum/cologne on that it gives you a headache? It may be in the scents or you are really sensitive. Try some Thayers witch hazel as a start and see how you react to that. (I use Dickinson's as it works well, but the smell is not that great and the smell goes away in about 15 min)

No never been a heavy cologne user... once in a great while. I am gonna try some witch hazel. Sucks, if that is the cause, cuz I find the ASB to be very helpful.

 

[mliguori]

There are some unscented aftershave solutions, and I'm sure those posters will crop up in good time. I'm not sure of any myself but there is hope none the less.

 

[michiganlover]

Some of us are just hyper sensitive to strong scents. For me, this hyper sensitivity seems to come, and go.

On some days even a heavily scented liquid hand soap will cause an almost instant headache, while the exact same product won't both me at all a couple of days later.

 

[Sodapopjones]

Did you try the Nivea unscented balm?

Btw never heard of this problem before

 

[michiganlover]

Did you try the Nivea unscented balm?

Btw never heard of this problem before

For example, the first time I used Erasmic Shaving Cream, I thought the scent was very strong, very nauseating, and I developed a headache. Try as I might, I couldn't effectively wash the scent off my face, and hands, and the scent bugged me for a couple of hours. Since I also couldn't get the product to lather properly, I wrote it off as something I couldn't use.

I do, however, have the spirit of not easily giving up. I re-approached it a few weeks later, and found the scent to be very pleasant, and not over-being at all. I have learned how to properly lather it, and it is now one of my favorite products.

The same thing happened when I used Sandalwood for the first time, but it has become one of my favorite scents too.

It's really strange, that it seems to come and go.

 

[theinternot]

Did you try the Nivea unscented balm?

Btw never heard of this problem before

I didn't know there was an unscented version. I will definitely try that.

Anybody else who knows of any unscented AS/ASB? Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for eveyone's responses thus far. I am really bummed about this, but maybe it will keep at least one of my AD's in check.

 

[theinternot]

For example, the first time I used Erasmic Shaving Cream, I thought the scent was very strong, very nauseating, and I developed a headache. Try as I might, I couldn't effectively wash the scent off my face, and hands, and the scent bugged me for a couple of hours. Since I also couldn't get the product to lather properly, I wrote it off as something I couldn't use.

I do, however, have the spirit of not easily giving up. I re-approached it a few weeks later, and found the scent to be very pleasant, and not over-being at all. I have learned how to properly lather it, and it is now one of my favorite products.

The same thing happened when I used Sandalwood for the first time, but it has become one of my favorite scents too.

It's really strange, that it seems to come and go.

It seems that I am only having this problem with the ASB. I guess it could be one of the soaps/creams... I am gonna have to do some experimenting with it some more.

 

[michiganlover]

Anybody else who knows of any unscented AS/ASB? Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Art of Shaving makes a very good unscented Aftershave Balm from what I hear, but it is certainly not cheap: $38.00 per bottle.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Proraso is very lightly scented so I agree that an unscented balm or splash is the way to go. AoS balm is very nice. You might also want to check some of the fine vendors on here--I would think SCS once Sue is feeling better--and see if they can provide you with an unscented version of their products.

I would also recommend Lucido after shave splash. It is mentholated but unscented. An excellent import from Japan--you can search the site for info about it--there are a number of us who like it a lot.

http://www.webichi.com/en/details/10219

 

[theinternot]

Art of Shaving makes a very good unscented Aftershave Balm from what I hear, but it is certainly not cheap: $38.00 per bottle.

I just found that one with a google search, but after my recent realization about how much I have already spent on shaving gear, I can't possibly justify that much. Most likely I will go without any for a while and confirm if is, in fact, the ASB.

 

[theinternot]

Proraso is very lightly scented so I agree that an unscented balm or splash is the way to go. AoS balm is very nice. You might also want to check some of the fine vendors on here--I would think SCS once Sue is feeling better--and see if they can provide you with an unscented version of their products.

I would also recommend Lucido after shave splash. It is mentholated but unscented. An excellent import from Japan--you can search the site for info about it--there are a number of us who like it a lot.

http://www.webichi.com/en/details/10219

I will look into these. Thanks so much for the helpful suggestions.

 

[MichaelG]

I, unfortunately, do and some scents can trigger them or make them worse. This keeps me from using some products sometimes or even at all. For instance, I love the performance of Tabac soap, but the scent is way too strong to use regularly.

Does anything else trigger the headaches? Other soaps, creams, etc? All I can say is keep trying aftershave products, unscented or scented, until you find one that doesn't cause headaches. The products I've found that don't bother me are stuff like GFT Skin Food (Limes and Sandalwood), Speick AS Splash, and some Boosters Aftershaves. I've had to sell or throw out some stuff because it really bothered me: Proraso ASL, L'Occitane balm, Nivea balm, among others.

If you find that scents, etc., are triggering headaches, it might be worth checking out with your doctor or a neurologist. If they are migraines or cluster headaches, etc., you want to deal with them - they can worsen over time and even become chronic - a situation that will leave you miserable, trust me.

I have never been a cologne user, nor did I ever use any aftershaves while using a cartridge. So, the use of ASB is entirely new to me with my venture into wet shaving.

It seems that within about 15 minutes after using ASB I get a nasty headache in the front of my face as if it were irritating my sinuses. It usually lasts for hours if not all night (I shave at night).

I have tried 3 different ones and have found that all have the same effect.

I have tried Proraso, GFT Coral Skin Food, and Nivea.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[theinternot]

I, unfortunately, do and some scents can trigger them or make them worse. This keeps me from using some products sometimes or even at all. For instance, I love the performance of Tabac soap, but the scent is way too strong to use regularly.

Does anything else trigger the headaches? Other soaps, creams, etc? All I can say is keep trying aftershave products, unscented or scented, until you find one that doesn't cause headaches. The products I've found that don't bother me are stuff like GFT Skin Food (Limes and Sandalwood), Speick AS Splash, and some Boosters Aftershaves. I've had to sell or throw out some stuff because it really bothered me: Proraso ASL, L'Occitane balm, Nivea balm, among others.

If you find that scents, etc., are triggering headaches, it might be worth checking out with your doctor or a neurologist. If they are migraines or cluster headaches, etc., you want to deal with them - they can worsen over time and even become chronic - a situation that will leave you miserable, trust me.

I am all to familiar with headaches... lifelong migraine sufferer. I have been getting them since I was a toddler. I can manage them well enough, and know most of the triggers. This is why am fairly certain I am having a reaction to the scents, and having never been much of a cologne user, I think my reaction to all these new scents (creams, soaps, ASB, etc...) is wreaking havoc on me.

It's interesting that you said Nivea was a trigger for you because I just got a bottle of it and thought I may have found the answer. The scent is not nearly as strong as the Proraso or Coral Skin Food I have tried prior. But, alas, a great shave followed by a miserable headache.

Also, I hope my first tub of Tabac that is on its way won't set off a headache, too.

 

[MichaelG]

what triggers a migraine for one person doesn't for another. Like in other aspects of wet shaving, just keep trying until you find what works for you. Good luck with the Tabac - it's such a great product; it's just too bad it has a strong scent. If you like the performance but not the scent, try Irisch Moos (as lots have suggested before). I find the IM scent much easier to take.

I am all to familiar with headaches... lifelong migraine sufferer. I have been getting them since I was a toddler. I can manage them well enough, and know most of the triggers. This is why am fairly certain I am having a reaction to the scents, and having never been much of a cologne user, I think my reaction to all these new scents (creams, soaps, ASB, etc...) is wreaking havoc on me.

It's interesting that you said Nivea was a trigger for you because I just got a bottle of it and thought I may have found the answer. The scent is not nearly as strong as the Proraso or Coral Skin Food I have tried prior. But, alas, a great shave followed by a miserable headache.

Also, I hope my first tub of Tabac that is on its way won't set off a headache, too.

 

[OckhamsBlade]

That happens to me with Clubman or Lilac Veggie. I have started to use Dominica Bay Rum both regular and Lime and I don't get any adverse reaction to these (prob. because they are a pretty natural product). I would recommend sticking to a good natural bay rum like Dominica or Capt Smiths. Also try the Vi Jon version of Old Spice, its cheap and pretty mild.

 

[Pine.Clad.Hills]

If you end up having to skip the balm, maybe a bottle of pure aloe vera would do the trick. Unsure, just a thought.

 

[theinternot]

what triggers a migraine for one person doesn't for another. Like in other aspects of wet shaving, just keep trying until you find what works for you. Good luck with the Tabac - it's such a great product; it's just too bad it has a strong scent. If you like the performance but not the scent, try Irisch Moos (as lots have suggested before). I find the IM scent much easier to take.

Great tip on the Moos.. thanks