Now that I've got two weeks of DE shaving under my belt, it seems that my bristles are growing out straighter, more perpendicular to my face. As I've mentioned elsewhere, after shaving exclusively with an Atra for 30+ years, one of my first impressions of a DE shave was not feeling the tug and pull of the twin blades across my face. So, my supposition is, if the bristles are being sliced cleanly, instead of being yanked about, they start growing back straighter. Anyone else notice this, or am I just crazy?
Is my beard growing out straighter?
- Thread starter Mr. Atra
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I noticed that after I started wet-shaving, my stubble would grow back softer and fuller, and blank/thin spots on my beard were starting to fill in. I'm able to go much longer between shaves with a DE than I ever could in the cartridge/goop days, before I develop that scruffy, unkempt look.
It might be because of the razor and blade, but I think its due more to the exfoliating and moisturizing effect of pre-shave prep and using higher quality soaps and creams.
It might be because of the razor and blade, but I think its due more to the exfoliating and moisturizing effect of pre-shave prep and using higher quality soaps and creams.
That's crazy talk, I think. Wait for someone else to chime in though.
Your hairs are being cut flat through instead of tapered so they feel different for the first few days of growth, but you can't actually change the way hair grows by cutting it.
Oh, that and you're now obsessively examining your face 24/7 and notice a lot of details you missed before
Oh, that and you're now obsessively examining your face 24/7 and notice a lot of details you missed before
I can believe that your beard is reacting to your new shaving regimen. Read the text that Braun and other electric shaver companies write. They claim that the beard adjusts to the electric shave, so that the shaving works better after a couple of weeks of using their product.
As usual, YMMV. It's your face. Figure it out for yourself. We can only suggest at a distance.
As usual, YMMV. It's your face. Figure it out for yourself. We can only suggest at a distance.
For whatever reason, my beard has ben turning increasingly gray since I've started with DE. I wonder if it might be the soap.... 
For whatever reason, my beard has ben turning increasingly gray since I've started with DE. I wonder if it might be the soap....
No it's the santa syndrome
Don't know about straighter, but I reckon my stubble looks and feels different when it grows back compared to after shaving with a Mach 3. Pretty subtle difference though, mind you I could just be more aware of my face now I've gotten fully into traditional wet shaving. Either that or it's a part of getting older!
In the year I have been shaving with a DE I have had ONE SINGLE in-grown hair. Before that, using whatever Gillette multi-blade setup, I had at least one ingrown each week, usually more.
I would think there has to be some difference in how the hair grows back in with a DE vs. a multibladed cartridge, but I don't know how that difference could be identified.
I would think there has to be some difference in how the hair grows back in with a DE vs. a multibladed cartridge, but I don't know how that difference could be identified.
I have not noticed any difference in my beard growth, but I went from having 5 + ingrown hairs a week to none, and shaving is easier now in general... No extra time wasted for me. I used to spend much more time unclogging my mach 3 than I do now doing 2 or 3 passes... and my skin both smells and feels much more wonderful now.
I'll second that.
For whatever reason, my beard has ben turning increasingly gray since I've started with DE. I wonder if it might be the soap....
I have noticed the same thing. If I let it grow for a few days I notice a few gray hairs that were not there before... I don't know why the soap would do it though, I don't always use the same soap. Maybe it is one soap and I am slowing the progress by changing soaps...
You are not experiencing a change of hair growth patterns. As other have said, you are noticing details of your beard more and the angle of the shave cut is a little different.
I thought it was because it takes 21 days to create a habit and they used it for marketing... Dunno, I could be wrong.
I dont know if I agree with the above posters. Before shaving with a DE I shaved with Mach3 throughout my twenties and didnt become enlightened to DE shaving till about 5 years ago. During this time I tried to grow a beard (partly because I hated the bumps and irritation of a Mach3). But when I grew it out I had that Che Guevarra look. A Sad beard, but big bare patches within.
After about 2 years in with shaving with a DE I started filling in bare patches in my beard. I was able to grow in a crazy thick beard. Think Dan Fogelberg Greatest Hits Album. Or those guys in Alabama
Im now in my thirties and think its due to the DE. Why would I start growing a beard in my thirties when I couldnt grow one before during my twenties?
After about 2 years in with shaving with a DE I started filling in bare patches in my beard. I was able to grow in a crazy thick beard. Think Dan Fogelberg Greatest Hits Album. Or those guys in Alabama
Im now in my thirties and think its due to the DE. Why would I start growing a beard in my thirties when I couldnt grow one before during my twenties?
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Hair tapers as it grows, therefore it appears thicker after shaving. It also doesn't become denser or fuller as most feel it does. another visual effect playing with your senses 
. Now, that's not to say that you cannot (to some extent) affect your beard's biology...most cremes (unlike canned goo) have honest to goodness ingredients that are good for the skin/hair...you keep using them, and your hair follicles and skin feel better and react in positive ways. For one thing, the cremes used in shaving and the preps done to the beard are supposed to super moisturize beard/hair...hair is known to absorb 30-40% more water than its weight...so, it's possible you are seeing the "side-effects" of this "moisturized" beard. One thing you cannot change is your genetics...that, my friend, you are stuck with 
Cheers,
Robert
. Now, that's not to say that you cannot (to some extent) affect your beard's biology...most cremes (unlike canned goo) have honest to goodness ingredients that are good for the skin/hair...you keep using them, and your hair follicles and skin feel better and react in positive ways. For one thing, the cremes used in shaving and the preps done to the beard are supposed to super moisturize beard/hair...hair is known to absorb 30-40% more water than its weight...so, it's possible you are seeing the "side-effects" of this "moisturized" beard. One thing you cannot change is your genetics...that, my friend, you are stuck with Cheers,
Robert
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- #18
Titling this thread, 'Is my beard growing back differently?', might have been more accurate. (But less provocative, and where's the fun in that! )
One factor in this is I may have been getting more ingrown hairs that I realized. Especially around my chin, my skin is smoother without the dark spots that may have been stray hairs plowed under by the Atra.
Thanks for the wide variety of responses. I have used a brush and soap for many years, and am horrified to discover it's to blame for the gray hairs intruding into my beard. But, that's still not enough to drive me back to aerosoled goop. Also, as a long-time consumer and fan of Braun kitchen appliances, and their design guru,. Dieter Rams, I have to assume that the Braun marketing department is as honest and straight-forward as the products they promote.
)One factor in this is I may have been getting more ingrown hairs that I realized. Especially around my chin, my skin is smoother without the dark spots that may have been stray hairs plowed under by the Atra.
Thanks for the wide variety of responses. I have used a brush and soap for many years, and am horrified to discover it's to blame for the gray hairs intruding into my beard. But, that's still not enough to drive me back to aerosoled goop. Also, as a long-time consumer and fan of Braun kitchen appliances, and their design guru,. Dieter Rams, I have to assume that the Braun marketing department is as honest and straight-forward as the products they promote.
Oddly enough, I have been putting on weight since I started DE shaving 35 years ago. Coincidence? I think not.For whatever reason, my beard has ben turning increasingly gray since I've started with DE. I wonder if it might be the soap....
I have less space in my bathroom since I started, does that count for anything?
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