Are Bumps Common for Beginners?

[frankthetank966]

Evening all,


I have been shaving with my MERKUR HD for 2 weeks now. I am using a Feather blade and have improve my prep and angle drastically since my initial shave. However, I am still receiving bumps around the neck. Is this common when switching to a Safety Razor from a Fusion?

 

[Buford T. Justice]

Try a different blade.

 

[frankthetank966]

Any suggestions as to how to get the bumps to "heal" quickly. I need to shave regularly.

 

[Swampfox]

Any suggestions as to how to get the bumps to "heal" quickly. I need to shave regularly.

I rarely get bumps since switching over to this style of shaving. However, I did get a bad one that has taken a while to heal. It is still sort of there, and I really don't have a good solution for it. I have tried everything from switching brands of face wash, to avoiding it when I shave, to purposefully slicing over it.

So, 1)no, not just beginners get them. Some times they hit the seasoned veterans. Although, technique improvements and changes in blades, soaps, creams, etc, may make a difference.

2)if you find something that helps yours heal quickly, let me know.

Edit: I forgot to mention. I even tried skipping a couple of days of shaving, and it made it worse. I mean really bad. That is why I started purposefully shaving the area around the bump. Weird.

 

[Luc]

Any suggestions as to how to get the bumps to "heal" quickly. I need to shave regularly.

Best way that I know is give your face a few days.

 

[TonyH]

If I get lazy and lay off a day or two, I get get wicked ingrown bumps on my neck. I just resign myself to the fact that it's gonna be weeper city and plow through. Then I use a little witch hazel, a strong AS (alcohol based), and take a single day off. That's usually all I need to heal up pretty well.

 

[rickboone1]

Any suggestions as to how to get the bumps to "heal" quickly. I need to shave regularly.

Tend Skin. Google it. It's a product that will clear that up. Trick is though, don't get bumps.

Seems bumps come from shaving the wrong direction, with the wrong blade, and not enough preparation of whiskers. They're too stiff and too dry.

1. Get rid of that Feather blade. They're highly adored, but not for your face. Not now! Revisit it later.

2. Study prep. Soak your face with a hot, wet towel prior to shaving. Try rubbing some preshave on your trouble areas.

Best way that I know is give your face a few days.

Cannot agree more. Especially if you're new to this wet shaving bit, give your face time to heal. You're probably shaving closer than you ever have before.

SLOW DOWN! Do not shave fast and do NOT use pressure with your Merkur razor. Hold it like a pansy and shave. Very lightly! That heavy HD will do all it needs to do.

Don't try to get all the hair off in one whack. If you don't know yet about passes, study up on these.

Know your hair growth. Grow out your beard a few days and map your growth. It may go in all sorts of directions in areas. Know this. Shave only WITH the grain at first so as to avoid any irritation. Shaving across 'X' or against the grain may be the culprit of your irritation. Let's stick with the easiest way to shave first. WITH the growth direction of the hair.

 

[bordeaaj]

Razor bumps are what originally brought me to DE shaving. I found these helpful recommendations from this and other shaving sites after many questions and much trial and error so hopefully they will help you right up front, without the months or years of searching most of us go through. Basically, I start my shave right out of the shower while the whiskers are nice and soft, do a quick hot towel pre-shave prep, lather up, and do 3 passes based on the Method Shaving shaving patterns (see below) which are meant to give you a BBS shave without having to go directly against the grain, and follow up with aftershave and moisturizer. I can't remember the last time I had an ingrown whisker using this method, then again, what works for me may not work for you. A couple of great resources are Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving and mantics shaving videos. I'll try to list the basics below:

Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving, 4th Ed.
I would highly recommend ordering Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving from Amazom as it was an invaluable learning aid for me...it's only about $12 and so good I always keep a few copies on hand to give to my friends who become interested and they love it too. The new 4th Edition is by far the best version and has a good section on preventing ingrowns (what originally brought me to DE shaving, as well).
http://www.amazon.com/Leisureguys-G...2974/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290929824&sr=8-1

Mantic's Shaving Videos
Mantics youtube videos are also a great resource...just google "mantic shaving videos" and look for whatever topic you have questions on.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Before the Shave: Pre-Shave Prep
Also great for prevention of ingrown whiskers is a hot towel pre-shave prep to soften your beard prior to shaving. It helps a lot for softening tough beards, reduces tugging and pulling, and helps prevent newly shaved whiskers from snapping under the skin as easily. It's very easy and only adds a minute or so to the shave. It seems to works best just out of the shower as well, but it helps anytime, is relaxing, and feels great too. Just soak a hand towel in the sink with the hottest water you can stand. While it's soaking get your face wet and rub a small amount of shaving cream around the beard area. Squeeze just enough water out of the towel so it's still good and wet but not quite dripping. Place the towel over your face for about a minute or so to steam the whiskers nice and soft...sometimes it's easier to lay down to do this. You also may have to make a little breathing hole so you can breathe comfortably. After about a minute quickly lather up and start shaving as normal before the whiskers have a chance to cool down. A hot towel pre-shave prep makes a big difference in shave comfort, esp while learning. Some do it every day, some once in a while, and some not at all. Hope it helps a little!

The Actual Shave: Shaving Patterns for Reducing Ingrown Hairs
You can make DE shaving as easy or as complicated as appeals to you. There are lots of opinions on shaving patterns and number and direction of passes, etc...most work very well. The Method Shaving pattern passes are designed to get easily get a BBS shave while minimizing irritation and whisker bumps without having to pay attention to grain or shave directly against the grain. The shaving patterns work well with or without the specialized Method Shaving products. Enchante.com has a download of what they call the Method Shaving Cutting Forms showing the direction of the passes and mantic has a couple of youtube demonstration videos as well. Basics: first pass straight down, second pass diagonally downward from ear to chin, third pass diagonally upward from rear lower jaw to nose. If needed, add a polishing pass where necessary. The cutting forms worked for the swirl patterns on my neck and I've had no razor bump problems after 5 or 6 years of using them for DE shaving...hopefully they help you too!
Method Shaving Cutting Patterns
http://www.enchanteonline.com/pages/...ttingforms.pdf

Mantic Video Demonstration of Method Shaving Patterns
pay no particular attention to specialized terms or products
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxFXpdLvG0

Post-Shave
Rinse off the lather thoroughly, apply alum, leave it on for a couple of minutes while rinsing out brush and cleaning up the area, then rinse the alum off thoroughly with warm water. I apply a good aftershave balm, witch hazel, and moisturizer...all of which seem critical to lubricate the pores and protect the skin from ingrowns as the whiskers grow.

When you get nicked
Another recommendation that would make learning easier would be a tube of My Nik is Sealed or Nick Stick roll-on styptic from wherever you can get it cheapest on the web...far better than grocery store styptic. Hope that helps and have fun with the transition!
My Nik is Sealed
http://www.houseofbeautyworld.com/co...7ccosemynikiss
Nick Stick
http://www.pacificshaving.com/nickstick.php

Hope that helps!

 

[TonyH]

Keep the Feather. It's what I learned on, and what you've already begun to get used to. Everything else you use will feel like it's pulling. You started with the best.

 

[canuckerr]

Keep the Feather. It's what I learned on, and what you've already begun to get used to. Everything else you use will feel like it's pulling. You started with the best.

^ that is very subjective.
I find the feathers way to sharp for my skin. It literally rips off the skin on me.
I prefer gillette 7'oclocks.

I say change the feather blade as it may be too sharp.

 

[gearchow]

I only have an occasional problem with ingrown hair, but when I do, it's like Luc said, it usually takes some days to clear up.

But I am curious, is it more likely to get bumps from shaving too close? If you use a Tech and only shave WTG, would a bump prone person still be getting bumps?

-jim

 

[TonyH]

But I am curious, is it more likely to get bumps from shaving too close? If you use a Tech and only shave WTG, would a bump prone person still be getting bumps?

-jim

These are my thoughts as well. My beginner setup was a Feather in a ball end Tech. A mild shaver with a sharp blade. I mastered WTG before I even attempted XTG or ATG. Sometimes I'd do 3-4 passes, all WTG.

The idea of a razor being "too sharp" has always baffled me. It's almost always a matter of technique, the actual razor, or a combination of the two. If you've started with the Feather blades, you will most likely find yourself overcompensating for their sharpness by increasing your pressure with a new blade. It will take you several weeks to get the hang of this process, and will be exponentially harder if you start changing gear right and left. Stick with what you have, be patient and learn thoroughly. You'll get it. One day it will just click, and you'll have it down.

Also, your skin needs time to adjust to this new way of shaving. It's no different than going from electric to blade, blade to straight, etc. Everything takes time.

 

[Go West Young Man]

But I am curious, is it more likely to get bumps from shaving too close? If you use a Tech and only shave WTG, would a bump prone person still be getting bumps?

-jim

Sure, if you push too hard or shave in the wrong directions.

 

[frankthetank966]

Razor bumps are what originally brought me to DE shaving. I found these helpful recommendations from this and other shaving sites after many questions and much trial and error so hopefully they will help you right up front, without the months or years of searching most of us go through. Basically, I start my shave right out of the shower while the whiskers are nice and soft, do a quick hot towel pre-shave prep, lather up, and do 3 passes based on the Method Shaving shaving patterns (see below) which are meant to give you a BBS shave without having to go directly against the grain, and follow up with aftershave and moisturizer. I can't remember the last time I had an ingrown whisker using this method, then again, what works for me may not work for you. A couple of great resources are Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving and mantics shaving videos. I'll try to list the basics below:

Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving, 4th Ed.
I would highly recommend ordering Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving from Amazom as it was an invaluable learning aid for me...it's only about $12 and so good I always keep a few copies on hand to give to my friends who become interested and they love it too. The new 4th Edition is by far the best version and has a good section on preventing ingrowns (what originally brought me to DE shaving, as well).
http://www.amazon.com/Leisureguys-Gu...7461809&sr=8-2

Mantic's Shaving Videos
Mantics youtube videos are also a great resource...just google "mantic shaving videos" and look for whatever topic you have questions on.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Before the Shave: Pre-Shave Prep
Also great for prevention of ingrown whiskers is a hot towel pre-shave prep to soften your beard prior to shaving. It helps a lot for softening tough beards, reduces tugging and pulling, and helps prevent newly shaved whiskers from snapping under the skin as easily. It's very easy and only adds a minute or so to the shave. It seems to works best just out of the shower as well, but it helps anytime, is relaxing, and feels great too. Just soak a hand towel in the sink with the hottest water you can stand. While it's soaking get your face wet and rub a small amount of shaving cream around the beard area. Squeeze just enough water out of the towel so it's still good and wet but not quite dripping. Place the towel over your face for about a minute or so to steam the whiskers nice and soft...sometimes it's easier to lay down to do this. You also may have to make a little breathing hole so you can breathe comfortably. After about a minute quickly lather up and start shaving as normal before the whiskers have a chance to cool down. A hot towel pre-shave prep makes a big difference in shave comfort, esp while learning. Some do it every day, some once in a while, and some not at all. Hope it helps a little!

The Actual Shave: Shaving Patterns for Reducing Ingrown Hairs
You can make DE shaving as easy or as complicated as appeals to you. There are lots of opinions on shaving patterns and number and direction of passes, etc...most work very well. The Method Shaving pattern passes are designed to get easily get a BBS shave while minimizing irritation and whisker bumps without having to pay attention to grain or shave directly against the grain. The shaving patterns work well with or without the specialized Method Shaving products. Enchante.com has a download of what they call the Method Shaving Cutting Forms showing the direction of the passes and mantic has a couple of youtube demonstration videos as well. Basics: first pass straight down, second pass diagonally downward from ear to chin, third pass diagonally upward from rear lower jaw to nose. If needed, add a polishing pass where necessary. The cutting forms worked for the swirl patterns on my neck and I've had no razor bump problems after 5 or 6 years of using them for DE shaving...hopefully they help you too!
Method Shaving Cutting Patterns
http://www.enchanteonline.com/pages/...ttingforms.pdf

Mantic Video Demonstration of Method Shaving Patterns
pay no particular attention to specialized terms or products
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxFXpdLvG0

Post-Shave
Rinse off the lather thoroughly, apply alum, leave it on for a couple of minutes while rinsing out brush and cleaning up the area, then rinse the alum off thoroughly with warm water. I apply a good aftershave balm, witch hazel, and moisturizer...all of which seem critical to lubricate the pores and protect the skin from ingrowns as the whiskers grow.

When you get nicked
Another recommendation that would make learning easier would be a tube of My Nik is Sealed or Nick Stick roll-on styptic from wherever you can get it cheapest on the web...far better than grocery store styptic. Hope that helps and have fun with the transition!
My Nik is Sealed
http://www.houseofbeautyworld.com/co...7ccosemynikiss
Nick Stick
http://www.pacificshaving.com/nickstick.php

Hope that helps!

Where did you find the techniques for shaving? It said page is invalid. Also, I shave upward towards my face as thats the best directions I've found. Should I risk shaving downwards? Additionally, I am new to the whole "pass" thing but I am aware of what your talking about. I was under the impression from Mantics videos that your 2nd pass goes in the opposite direction of the first pass. Is that not the case?

These are my thoughts as well. My beginner setup was a Feather in a ball end Tech. A mild shaver with a sharp blade. I mastered WTG before I even attempted XTG or ATG. Sometimes I'd do 3-4 passes, all WTG.

The idea of a razor being "too sharp" has always baffled me. It's almost always a matter of technique, the actual razor, or a combination of the two. If you've started with the Feather blades, you will most likely find yourself overcompensating for their sharpness by increasing your pressure with a new blade. It will take you several weeks to get the hang of this process, and will be exponentially harder if you start changing gear right and left. Stick with what you have, be patient and learn thoroughly. You'll get it. One day it will just click, and you'll have it down.

Also, your skin needs time to adjust to this new way of shaving. It's no different than going from electric to blade, blade to straight, etc. Everything takes time.

Come to think of it your right! When I started shaving with electric my face always broke out... Nowadays most companies such as Philips will even say you need to give shaver 14 days to allow your skin to adjust. However, I will try different blades just to try them for the sake.

 

[kingfisher]

Too much pressure, bad angles. That's pretty much the cause of most bumps.



For doing passes, the thing isn't just to go one direction and then another. The point is to go in the direction of your hair's growth on the first pass, and then, perhaps, across the grain on the second pass. Don't try to get all your hairs cut off on the first pass; this leads to too much pressure, which leads to bumps.

To accomplish this, you must KNOW the grain of YOUR beard. You have to know it in all places, especially on the neck, as it may vary from place to place on your neck. You still have to go WITH the grain as closely as possible on your first pass.

 

[GDCarrington]

There are some products for post shaving bumps.

Bump Stopper makes a cream that I use sometimes if I get an infected/ingrown hair or two.

This has become far less of a problem since I switched to using DE and Injectors.
Usually I have to use it if I get a bad blade, which is rare as well.

If you use this cream, be sure to follow the instructions on limited use.
It has worked for me on those stubborn areas that don't want to heal as well as the rest of the skin.

Good fortune.

 

[gearchow]

I've been reading up on this a lot now. googling for Pseudofolliculitis barbae took me to an interesting wikipedia aritcle which led me to this:

http://razoraid.com/faq/how-to-shave-men/

The FAQ is interesting (I think you all will love what it says, I know I did, #5 on the list of causes and #7 on the way to prevent ), but I'm not advocating the product. It doesn't prevent bumps, just helps relief them after you get them. I use tweezers.

-jim

 

[bordeaaj]

For doing passes, the thing isn't just to go one direction and then another. The point is to go in the direction of your hair's growth on the first pass, and then, perhaps, across the grain on the second pass. Don't try to get all your hairs cut off on the first pass; this leads to too much pressure, which leads to bumps.

To accomplish this, you must KNOW the grain of YOUR beard. You have to know it in all places, especially on the neck, as it may vary from place to place on your neck. You still have to go WITH the grain as closely as possible on your first pass.

This is very true and it works very well. However, Method Shaving was specifically designed to give a smooth, irritation-free shave regardless of complicated whisker growth patterns and I can tell you from experience with both that I prefer the far less complicated Method Shaving patterns...and the patterns are very simple for beginners to learn. You can use the Method Shaving patterns with or without the expensive proprietary products. Whether you decide to use traditional growth pattern mapping or the Method Shaving patterns both should give you similar results.

Where did you find the techniques for shaving? It said page is invalid.

Hmmm...not sure what happened to the link for the book but I have updated with the corrected one: http://www.amazon.com/Leisureguys-G...2974/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290929824&sr=8-1

Also, I shave upward towards my face as thats the best directions I've found. Should I risk shaving downwards?

The only way to find out is to try. Most would agree that single pass shaving upwards against the grain maximizes your risk of getting whisker bumps. Shaving upwards or "against the grain" gives a very smooth shave but should be saved for the last pass if used at all because even shaving downward with the grain the whiskers bend as they are shaved which cuts the whisker into a spearpoint. That spearpoint easily snaps under the skin greatly increasing the risk of creating painful whisker bumps as it grows under the skin, and especially so if shaving upward against the grain on the first pass. Shaving downward first pass, across with the second, and saving the upward pass for last takes that spearpoint off from different directions so the whisker is quite blunt by the time the upward pass is used which minimizes the risk of spearpoints getting caught under the skin causing whisker bumps. The Method Shaving patterns drop the upward against the grain pass altogether in favor of a diagonal upward across the face direction starting from the lower rear jaw area shaving toward the nose or eyes. The second and third passes pretty much form an "X" on your cheeks.

Additionally, I am new to the whole "pass" thing but I am aware of what your talking about. I was under the impression from Mantics videos that your 2nd pass goes in the opposite direction of the first pass. Is that not the case?

Basically you are shaving your entire face 4 times if you strictly follow the Method Shaving protocol...I tend to drop one of the downward passes for the sake of time:

1) The first pass is when you shave whole face in the downward direction which is generally considered "with the grain" abbreviated "WTG" because whiskers usually grow in a downward direction. The Method Shaving protocol instructs you to do two downward passes but I only do it once. Once you are done you rinse, lather up again.

2) Make a second pass by shaving your entire face "across the grain" abbreviated "XTG" in the direction from the ear area across toward the nose. This pass is modified slightly in the Method Shaving technique by shaving downward diagonally across the face from the ear toward the chin rather than directly across sideways. Rinse, lather up again.

3) The third pass is generally upward "against the grain" abbreviated "ATG" but this is what causes most of the problems for those who easily get whisker bumps. So, Method Shaving says to go diagonally upward and across from the rear lower jawline area toward your eyes and nose. This combination of directions gives an extremely close shave without ever having to shave directly upward against the grain thus minimizing the risk of razor bumps.

** If you find a few rough spots you can lather them up again or spread a tiny bit of shaving oil (saffola cooking oil is a nice light one) on them and do what is called a "polishing pass" in whatever direction smooths them out. If this pass is directly upward or against the grain it's not really a big deal at this point because you've already removed that spearpoint and you're only doing a relatively small area.

**** Aftershave balm, witch hazel, and moisturizer help a ton and, as suggested, a little added Bump Stopper as a preventative on known problem areas helps as well to minimize those hair follicles from trapping any whiskers...no need to wait for them to become a problem before treating for them.

Hope that makes sense for you!

 

[ekimvedr]

Try using a benzoyl peroxide acne cream on the neck after shaving and at night before bed...just make sure you are moisturizing the area as well. I had the same problem and was using Barc's Bump Down which didn't really work so I switched to this and it has really helped. I also apply lather (TOBS Sensitive Cream) and leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse off then re-apply...I find the whiskers are softer the second time.Again make sure you apply moisturizer because the acne cream will dry out the skin.

 

[guitarslinger]

1. try a different blade. Red Personna, Gillette 7 O'Clock Black, etc.

2. Try some kind of pre-shave product. I use Noxzema every day before I shave.

3. shave "wtg" (with the grain) for now. nothing else.

4. try a nice after shave balm for post-shave. I like L'Occitane Cade Balm

Your bumps should clear up.