Aqua Velva - should it always burn?

[maxroach]

I've been wet shaving for about a month now, and am now comfortable and confident with my 38C. No question that I get a much better shave than I did with my Mach 3, and I have more fun doing it. I certainly had irritation in my first couple of weeks, but it's pretty smooth sailing now.

After my shave, I always rinse my face with hot water, then cold water, then a splash of Aqua Velva. Now, as much as I love the smell and burn of the AV, I wonder if it's an indication that I'm still taking too much skin off. Does it burn every time for you guys? I actually like the burn, as it helps wake me up, but it does make me question my technique.

I'm doing three passes with my 38C (with a red Personna), aided by Trumper's almond soap. So there shouldn't really be an equipment problems.

 

[sodajerk]

AV, along with any AS with alcohol, will burn. How much does depend on how much alcohol it has and how many weepers you have. Some of the weepers you may not see, but you will feel them! For me, the burn has gotten much better as I've learned, but has not gone away. Some folks enjoy the burning and seek out the AS with the highest alcohol content!

 

[danparker77]

If I put it on in the morning after a shower but no shave, it doesn't burn at all!!!!

Seriously though it burned even when I used my mach3. You are running a sharp blade over your skin there is going to be some damage no matter what. Right???

 

[HIT]

You should better try an aftershave BALM with NO alcohol.

That would do the trick!

 

[Slartibartfast]

I only get burn when i get a little heavy handed with my straight or i am test shaving a blade not quite there.

Usually it is just a nice cooling feeling for me. YMMV

 

[BrianL]

It shouldn't burn enough to wake you up, just a mild warm sensation for a few seconds and then it should go away. I thought I was doing it wrong for awhile and tried putting on more after shave because there was no burn.

 

[kzoo1]

It shouldn't burn enough to wake you up, just a mild warm sensation for a few seconds and then it should go away. I thought I was doing it wrong for awhile and tried putting on more after shave because there was no burn.

+1

When I use an alcohol splash, typically I don't get any burn. Only if it's been a rough shave does it burn...and I can tell that before I splash on the AV.

 

[DE Shaver]

The better and smoother your technique, the less it will burn. So, if want to know how good your shave was, splash some Aqua Velva on and see how much burn you experience.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

I always get a bit of a sting and sharp intake of breath, but it isn't too bad, and I actually enjoy it, lol. If it's REALLY bad, that should tell you something is amiss with your technique. Keep at it, and things will get better. If you find it too uncomfortable though, perhaps try switching to just regular witch hazel as it is much more mild.

 

[maxroach]

Huh. Well, it sounds like I do need to smooth things out a bit. But hopefully not too much, since I actually like the burn! Thanks, guys.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

I've found that, as my technique has become more refined, I get very little, if any, burn. I like the burn, though, so I welcome it when it's there.

 

[Iakona]

I always get a reasonable amount of burn. I think this is definitely a ymmv thing, I even get burn (albeit much less) with just 1 extra gentle pass WTG. I know I can still improve my technique but I can't imagine doing any amount of shaving and not having even the slightest burn.

 

[infotech]

The only time I feel burn from an alcohol splash is when I was a little heavy handed and only in the spot(s) where I messed up. When I first started shaving with a DE I could barely stand the burn, but it really has disappeared with time and skill.

 

[Jodbirch]

I always feel like my shave was better if I get less of a burn and more of a tingle when I splash on the AV.

 

[Omnichron]

Aqua Velva is supposed to burn... it reminds the mind you are still alive.

 

[troy1979]

With alcohol you bet, try adding some witch hazel maybe 50% to your aqua velva if you like the smell.

 

[Rev. Nathan]

You are removing skin when you shave, and you are putting alcohol on a new layer of skin that is very sensitive. Of course it's going to burn!

In time, your technique and tolerance to the burn will improve, and with both, you'll take off less skin and be more tolerant to the burn.

Until then, try something else that won't sting... something that doesn't have alcohol.

I suggest astringent. Dr. Thayer's Witch Hazel can be had at your drugstore or health market. It's watery, so dump a tablespoon out and put a tablespoon of glycerin in to make it thicker, and so it will cloy to your skin better. I then add peppermint essential oil for a cooling sensation. 10 drops will be a nice cool feeling. I bump it up to 20-25 drops for an extreme cooling sensation you will never find in any aftershave... the opposite for a razor burn! I also add lavender, vanilla, and sandalwood to make the scent smell good... although it only lasts a few minutes.

I promise you it will be a welcoming aftershave. Let it sit for a few minutes, wash it off, pat dry your face, and put on Aqua Velva. Now you got the scent you like and the skin that's smooth. Or just use astringent alone! By the time you are ready to put on cologne, it will have dried off, and you shouldn't have any burn from the cologne's alcohol.

 

[Jodbirch]

You know, this discussion is reminding me of my first attempts at shaving. I had some AV...could've been Skin Bracer. Anyway, no one ever told me about the "rinse with cold water" part. I just slapped a handful right on my (probably raw) face and WOW...definitely Home Alone time.