Help curing Razor Burn/Bumps

[snatale42]

Hey guys, I'm still new to DE shaving and looking to speed up repair and prevent razor burn / bumps on my neck. To clarify this isn't something new since I switched to DE, (it's actually a little better now since the switch) had this problem with cartridge razors as well. I'd normally Google my way through this rather than asking a basic question but since the DE world has many more products and it seems a higher quality I figured I'd ask. I'm using a Mekur 23C w/ feather blades. and Col Conk bayrum soap, Nivia for men ASB for sensitive skin. I've also stopped shaving ATG but it doesn't seem to make too much of a difference.

 

[Ashley Rosser]

Try to give your skin time to heal, maybe go a couple of days without shaving at the weekend.
Read the wikis on pressure and angle as these where the cause of my pain.
I recently got a Merkur Vision and ended up with bumps everywhere so I switched back to my 38c and only did WTG Shaves for a week, cleared up slowly but it did clear up.

 

[taco8slo]

You can try tend skin or make you own much cheaper version:
http://www.thelimericklane.com/2012/03/homemade-tend-skin-recipe/

 

[wagstaff]

Always technique (good angle, "no" pressure); but for me the next most important factor in helping prevent irritation/"razor burn" on my neck has been excellent lathers. Some soaps are much more protective than others; some soaps just take more experience to lather well than others, too.

If you have ingrown hairs causing bumps, you have a different set of problems that needs a longer post. But for just treating irritation, you can try a couple of things.
- you may do well with an alum block; some do, some don't. Rinse cold after leaving it on for a minute.
- you may do well with some straight witch hazel (not Thayers or anything with added aloe or glycerin --for this step), either splashed after the shave or the alum rinse, or as a "toner" with cotton.
- THEN your after shave splash or balm. I don't know the Tend Skin or homemade stuff that taco8slo recommends, but that's worth a try.
- QCS balms are top of the heap for balms, for me; for splashes,
- the RazoRock "Problem Solver" is, I think, really great stuff. Alcohol free, the scent is neither here nor there and very fleeting, but it sure does sooth. And is really inexpensive. Other stuff that is magically healing is
- Krampert's Acadian Spice bay rum (if you like the scent; and it's more expensive than the RazoRock Problem Solver but is formulated to heal and moisturize like a balm masquerading as a splash) and, especially
- Krampert's Frostbite (if you're not sensitive to menthol; it's still more expensive than the others; still, it's magically healing stuff).

There are others that are may be as good or better for any particular person. I would look at those, and look also at Speick AS splash first.

But, I'll reiterate, technique first, and a good lather second, will go a LONG way toward preventing or minimizing the problems in the first place.

 

[snatale42]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

[Redzone]

I had the same set up to start with and when I switched from feathers (for a while) things improved. For me YMMV of course, my prep and technique needed time and also my skin needed time. Once prep and techique improved and skin got used to a daily close shave I found feather blades to suit me better with the 23C.
Like mentioned above shaving every second day can be a big help in the healing process.

 

[Quigg]

You can try tend skin or make you own much cheaper version:
http://www.thelimericklane.com/2012/03/homemade-tend-skin-recipe/

Thanks for sharing this, Eric!

 

[petr]

Feathers can cause irritation. I like them, but try Crystals and Super Iridiums, they are smoother on my face. Try a soap with more protection, like tabac. Only one pass on the neck. Slow hacking strokes.

 

[Christian_V]

What helped clear up a lot of my neck issues was taking the time to REALLY learn the way my hair grows. The hair on my neck changes direction abruptly in several very small parts, I wasn't made aware of this until recently. I had always mistakenly assumed it grew in one direction. So now on my first pass, to stay with the grain, I have to switch my angles several times.

I recommend you run your fingers across your neck in different directions and feel for any direction changes with your hair, then adjust accordingly. That might help you out.

 

[ThomasB98908]

Too much pressure? Just use the weight of the razor and light passes. See threat "Clean shaving vs BBS". Sometimes you will get too aggresive and that can cause problems. For my neck I usually got a couple of passes WTG and it looks fine. Sure, you will feel a little stubble when you rub ATG but it looks clean shaven and that all that matters at this point.

 

[Nayskin]

I find longer passes always bring a bigger chance of irritation, try smaller more delicate passes and gradually work your way down the neck/ face.
Also feel your whiskers before shaving and make sure you know which way they grow on each side of the face (above the chin) and each way on the neck (below the chin), Each persons whiskers vary dramatically so calculate a shaving pattern that works for you.

If none of this works, I have used Proraso's 'Sul Filo Del Rasoio' with amazing results. It cures any red'ness on your face within 30seconds. It does have alcohol in it but it is a mild burn.

Hope this helps