Itchy skin all the way from the chin to the neck after shaving?

[piwi]

Hi all,

It's been a while I left wet shaving for trimming my facial hair down with an electric hair trimmer (ie never close shaved but rather leaving a millimetre or two).
However, I recently dug up my DE and decided it was time to use it again and get close shaved, after a 6 years hiatus.

My routine is to put a warm towel on the places I will shave for about a minute or two, then lather up in a bowl using GFT cream. I then apply the lather on my face with the badger and shave with the grain.
After a pass, I lather my face up again and do a second pass.
Then I rinse with colder water to close the pores and use GFT skin food scented aftershave. I also tried using Proraso's instead as an aftershave but I'm not a big fan of the heat sensation that comes from the camphre.

After all is said and done, I have an urge to scratch my itchy skin. It starts from the chin all the way down to the neck and lasts for about two days after the shave.

What could be the cause of this itch? Is it because of the hair growing back that is bothering me? Is it because my skin is unhappy with the process? Infections from micro-cuts? How can I prevent it?

 

[aihpcfl]

I had this, or at least similar. In my case it was under my jaw line. I thought it was the razor blade since it happened when I was using a different one for the first time. Then I thought I had developed an allergy to something in the soap or aftershave. In the end I concluded it was a kind of razor burn. It started after a Wednesday or Thursday morning shave and I was still itching Saturday. I skipped shaving Saturday and Sunday and I was back to normal by Monday morning.

I would suspect razor burn in your case, but also allergy as a possibility. If one of the products is new for you, you may want to abstain for a week and see what happens.

 

[cman26]

I'd put some witch hazel on it, thats what I always do with razor burns but Ira might be right it could be some allergy. Keep us posted!

 

[buca3152]

I have sensitive skin. I use scentless everything and cold water shave. I also do a ice cube face rub after, and use food grade jojoba oil as an as balm. I don't get the irritation anymore. I also use straights, they are smoother IMO and 2passes and a little touchip gets me bbs.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

Sounds like burn. If so, shallow out your blade angle, and use less pressure.

On the other hand, your skin is not used to all the washing and scraping. I had an itch on my neck for a while that I am almost sure was dry skin, since it responded to adding a post shave balm (Neutrogena). The balm also made my skin more elastic and I started getting less cuts.

Talc might also help itchy skin especially under the collar area.

Cheers.

 

[piwi]

Sounds like burn. If so, shallow out your blade angle, and use less pressure.

On the other hand, your skin is not used to all the washing and scraping. I had an itch on my neck for a while that I am almost sure was dry skin, since it responded to adding a post shave balm (Neutrogena). The balm also made my skin more elastic and I started getting less cuts.

Talc might also help itchy skin especially under the collar area.

Cheers.

Thanks for the link, it is very much possible my angle was wrong and too steep. I shall try again in a few days when the burn will be gone for good

 

[bemiller]

If it is still a problem you might consider it as an allergy and try another product to rule it out.

 

[piwi]

It seems I was using the razor at too much of an angle. I put a fresh blade, changed my angle and didn't press as hard and I don't have this itch anymore. All good then, thanks for the advices

 

[ThomasB98908]

I'd suggest trying Kiss My Face unscented shaving cream (available anywhere). Do you make a lot of passes over the same area? That could also cause irriation so I'd just try a 2 pass wtg for a while and see how that works. You can get a pretty nice DFS going 2 pass WTG (at least you will look clean shavem) with minimal irritation. On my neck area I rarely go ATG, and just make a couple of xtg or wtg passes and it looks good. Give it a try and see if that helps.

 

[Ron Scott]

The itch is odd. I get it too sometimes, often hours after my shave, and regardless of razor burn. So in my case at least it doesn't appear to be related to the shave itself.

I suspect it's due to ingredients in a particular shave product or a combination of products but I haven't focused enough to nail it. I will try.

Washing my fact water and pat drying will usually cure it.