Newby Question - Shaving and Workouts

[nesta]

I wasn't sure whether this was more fitting here or in the new members' section, so if I made an inappropriate decision, feel free to move this.

Anyway, I'm pretty dang new to wet shaving. I'm not quite as new to going to the gym.

In the past two years I've lost about 40-45 pounds - it fluctuates according to gym and diet habits, of course, but the point is I went from just over 200 pounds to averaging around 160 now. Now I must concede most of that weight loss was not due to exercise so much as other lifestyle changes which resulted in a MAJOR decrease in caloric intake, but the point is I'm in the best shape of my life and I'm in no hurry to stop trying to stay fit. I feel great mostly. I'm not interested in building a lot of muscle, I just want to stay active and healthy, and it's fun.

So anyway, as I'm re-learning how to shave and learning what does and does not work well for my face, I'm finding that once in a while my neck is still getting a little razor burn. Today was kind of a rough shave, to be honest. But I was feeling a lot better, and my neck looked a lot better than it did right after shaving this morning. I didn't work out yesterday, so I decided for a light workout today.

The problem I'm having is that when I have razor burn - even when it's mostly better - it seems to be much more irritated when I work out. I can only assume this has to do with sweat or something, but I'm not sure what to do about it - or if there is anything I can do about it.

Does anybody have some advice?

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

Shave after your workout if possible? Aside that the better question would be, does this increase in irritation remain long after the workout? Or if you rinse your face and neck does it go away in an hour or so?
If it goes away I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cb91710]

When I was working out regularly, my post-workout cleanup was the evening's shower/shave.
Depending on the night's activities, maybe another shower in the morning before work, but only the one shave.

But I'm blessed with slow growth and a light beard, so I can actually get away with shaving every other day if I shave in the morning, and shaving evenings, the 2nd day is still acceptable for work.

 

[Alacrity59]

There are issues specifically related to shaving and working out so I think the post is fine here. My vote is to shave after the workout. You have probably heard the phrase rubbing salt into a wound. The salt in your sweat can irritate. The neck is a problematic area for most of us. I can so though that even with years of experience sweating after shaving still hurts. You can check over in the shave clinic for neck shaving tips.

 

[nesta]

Well, I was afraid it more or less had to do with the salt - and I'm a rather profuse sweater.

I really like the idea of shaving in the morning. I'd hate to have to start my day with a five o'clock shadow, you know? But it also could be more relaxing to shave in the evenings, not ever feeling rushed, and a good way to unwind. Also it would probably be beneficial for me, especially while I'm still working on getting the hang of this wet shaving deal, to take my time in the evening and do it right, rather than to try and do it before my daily obligations and possibly just try to do it quickly instead of properly.

Perhaps once I become more adept at avoiding irritation in the first place the issue of perspiration bringing irritation back will decrease. I think I'll start shaving in the evenings for a while.

And yeah, the discomfort is marked by increased redness and irritation of problem areas from that days shave while sweating, and the actual pain subsides when I stop sweating, mostly disappears when I shower, but will leave the area still tender and more red than it would otherwise have been.

As I'm a student, honestly I can get away with skipping a day when shaving - nobody will care. Perhaps if I get tired of shaving at night, I can just skip a shave on the days I work out.

 

[alex2363]

Well, I was afraid it more or less had to do with the salt - and I'm a rather profuse sweater.

I really like the idea of shaving in the morning. I'd hate to have to start my day with a five o'clock shadow, you know? But it also could be more relaxing to shave in the evenings, not ever feeling rushed, and a good way to unwind. Also it would probably be beneficial for me, especially while I'm still working on getting the hang of this wet shaving deal, to take my time in the evening and do it right, rather than to try and do it before my daily obligations and possibly just try to do it quickly instead of properly.

Perhaps once I become more adept at avoiding irritation in the first place the issue of perspiration bringing irritation back will decrease. I think I'll start shaving in the evenings for a while.

And yeah, the discomfort is marked by increased redness and irritation of problem areas from that days shave while sweating, and the actual pain subsides when I stop sweating, mostly disappears when I shower, but will leave the area still tender and more red than it would otherwise have been.

As I'm a student, honestly I can get away with skipping a day when shaving - nobody will care. Perhaps if I get tired of shaving at night, I can just skip a shave on the days I work out.

I am studyin and working too, it seems that the day is too short sometimes. When i work out it is at any given time, but mostly it is in the late afternoon or evening. Sometimes i hit the Anytime Fitness gym at 3am. I was 260 pounds 2 years ago and now I'm at 185 to 200 year round. I bulk in the winter and mini bulk and cut in the summer to November. I love lifting weights and running, but my weight loss was just calories reduction. I ate under 3000 calories a day. I still eat ice cream, cake, pasta and any food i want. The only difference now is that i watch my calories and dont over do it . I eat my weight in protein 186 grams a day, and 300gr Carbs, 110 grm of Fat ( Its based on IIFYM diet which was started by a few competitive bodybuilders that grew tired of eating bland and boring food when dieting for a bodybuilding contest)

When i shave at night the next day i work out i get less irritation. I think there are many factors to this. Most likely the skin had time to heal and the sweaty fluids cant get into the micro lacerations that occur as we shave. The heat also adds to the irritation process, as we heat up the skin gets more inflamed especially around the soft thin layers of skin around the neck. This can cause severe red skin and severe small reddish pimples.

My solution is do cold water shaves and less passes. I never do no more than 2 passes. The less scrapping against the skin the better, even if it is with a razor. I also do a great deal of lathering and exfoliation with the brush. The lather is moist and cold, which helps on lessening the inflammation of the skin as we shave. And dont forget the blade of choice is critical too. I dont use cheap blades or too sharp blades. My go to blades are Polsilvers or Astras. Good luck with your studies and shaving.