Salicylic acid after the shave?

[haagiboy]

What is the general consensus on applying a cream which contains salicylic acid right after you've shaved?

I've tried it a couple of times, and it burned for some minutes, but I believe it reduced the irritation that otherwise would have occured.

Anyone else got some advice/info on this?

I use Clinique face wash/scrub which contains salicylic acid for my prep.

The cream/gel I'm talking about in which I use after the shave is Baxters of California Shave Bump Relief. Which actually works quite good!

If I see razor bumps at the end of the day, I apply it, go to bed, and the next morning they are gone!

I guess the general question here is: The label on the Baxter bump relief says to apply twice a day on problem area until problem solved.

What about applying it BEFORE the problem occurs?

(I do know proper technique = win... )

 

[drandall]

i would say, "hell no!"

the process of lathering and shaving already exfoliates the skin. add salicylic acid and you're pouring a chemical exfoliant on top of skin that has already been scraped. bad idea.

instead, start closing the pores with a final cold water splash and then follow up with a toner like witch hazel, or a moisturizing balm with aloe.

your face will thank you.

 

[klm099]

salicylic acid is aspirin, its rough on the stomach which constantly coats itself with mucus to keep normal digestive acids from eating the walls (ulcer)

hell yes its going to sting for a while (acid is the operative word)

irritation is not a normal part of shaving, why do thinks salicylic acid is needed for something that should not be occurring?

you may be allergic to something you are using or using too much pressure

I am an old guy with thin skin and Rosacea and my skin hasn't been irritated since I was a teen, I just throw AS (Pinaud) on after shaving, stings for a few seconds

good luck,
ken

 

[malocchio]

A woman died last year due to the s.acid in a linament,I read all of the 28 boxes of different linaments at my local chinese herbalist shop...some of those rubs have 28% s.acid in them,a huge amount of liquid aspirin...many people get instantaneus internal bleeding from this....use an alum bar or some whitch hazel then a nice shot of a/s

 

[BradF]

salicylic acid is aspirin

aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA); similar, but not identical. [/nitpicking]

Perhaps I'm alone here, but I use a shampoo with SA (Denorex) and a Noxzema face wash with SA. Both of these are only 3% SA. Neither have given me any trouble with shaving. As far as the bump relief: I'd just consider a cold rinse followed by good quality aftershave, keeping in mind that good quality doesn't mean expensive. I'm talking Aqua Velva here. If you shave in the morning and have razor bumps at night, then sure, use the bump relief at night if that works for you. "Relief" implies that you that it's fixing something, not preventing it.

I'm going to buy an alum bar (RazoRock, most likely) to see if it makes a difference. You might consider that as well.

 

[MoabBoy]

I use the MenScience fash wash with warm water after a shave which has a low level of SA which cleans my face. That's followed up with a witchhazel soaked cotton wipe which acts as my "cold rinse" tone. Finally, a nice balm to keep the skin moisturised.

 

[Owens187]

Salicylic acid (asprin), is mostly used as blemish control, or for minor skin rashes/irritation, and dandruff. If you get breakouts alot, caused by shaving or not, you can definately benifit from using it. If not, witch hazel is much better, as salicylic acid tends to dry skin something fierce.

Some products that contain it are Oxy pads for pimples, Neutrogena T-Gel dandruff shampoo, Noxema, and tons of astringents/pore cleaners.

So, if you want to use it, it wont hurt. The worst you'll get from it is a bad case of dry skin.

 

[haagiboy]

Yeah I've noticed the dry skin! The skin just peels off, and it removed the shave bumps aswell. So it does what it's supposed to do.

My girlfriend has a face wash which contains 0,5% salicylic acid which I use now and then.
And I use the Clinique face wash with salicylic acid in my prep routine. (I only shave every 3 days or so)

 

[OBXBBS]

I use the MenScience fash wash with warm water after a shave which has a low level of SA which cleans my face. That's followed up with a witchhazel soaked cotton wipe which acts as my "cold rinse" tone. Finally, a nice balm to keep the skin moisturised.

x2..I find this routine to be great

 

[Myosin]

I do this after I shave.

I am prone to severe break outs on my face and shaving seems to make it worse so I started using oxy pads on my face after shaving.

I put witch hazel on my face immediately after my shave and then about ten or so minutes later I go over my face with the oxy pad. It doesn't burn if you do it that way.

If you have acne problems this might help because it did wonders for me and my face cleared up very fast.

You do need to use some kind of moisturizer because if you do this daily it will dry your face out to the point where it starts flaking and peeling.

 

[georgekyr]

If I am not mistaken salicylic acid makes the blood thinner and the wounds take longer to completely close and heal.

 

[spindlecone]

salicytic acid (AKA aspirin) inhibits platlet function, can prolong clotting,when used systemically.
Do not think if used topically it would have the same effect.

 

[Gamma]

I went to Kiehls and talked to someone about my 'bumps' - turn out my problem wasn't razor-bumps. What I did have to deal with was a few patches of dead/dry skin. In my case - using an SA based product right after shaving would exacerbate the issue. I had to exfoliate those problem areas, but it had to be done judiciously.
I wound up using an SA based gel-scrub a few times a week in the morning (I shave at night), drinking a lot more water, and not using alcohol-based after shaves. My problem is gone - any weepers I get now are the result of improper technique (read: rushing) and/or using a feather in a slant more than 2 days in a row.

 

[rsaltonstall]

Salicylic acid is not aspirin; aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. They are chemically similar but not identical.

Salicylic Acid = C7H6O3
Aspirin = C9H8O4

Salicylic acid is used as an ingrdedient in medications for the treatment of acne. These medications can range from face wash to ointmets, etc. Too much of it on your skin will dry it, and may even cause a severe rash if too dry. Since the amount of the acid in each medication varies according to each manufacturer, the drying effect it has on your skin will vary from one product to the next. For example, while Clinique may work on you, it may over dry the next individual's skin.

What I would suggest is follow the directions on the tube/bottle of whatever it is you are using being sure not to overdose yourself.

 

[georgekyr]

You are right...long time since last chemistry class in high school

 

[haagiboy]

And while we talk about chemistry.

Guess who is going to recrystalise acetylsalicylic acid from Aspirin today? ^^

 

[wulfgar1976]

I suppose if you have verrucas on your face, salicylic acid might be a good idea

 

[jmsodpc]

I use clubman bump mend which has SA in it. I only use it on my neck after a shave.

So far I am pleased. All redness is gone and bumps gone too.

I only use it after a shave.....not twice per day.

 

[SiBurning]

I have a related concern, thinking of using something acidic to restore the natural pH of the skin. I haven't ventured to a serious acidic wash, but am thinking more in terms of a liquid soap or a gentle cleanser with a pH of 5.5.

 

[Nick Danger]

What is the general consensus on applying a cream which contains salicylic acid right after you've shaved?

I regularly use a shaving cream that has salicylic acid in it - Spencer & Devon - and I love it. It's also got a nice mix of moisturizers, so my skin feels great when I'm done shaving. Most days, I don't even need any aftershave or balms. Might be worth trying for you.

Nick