See Stubble But Can't Feel It - So Can't Shave It

[villagejazz]

Good day gents,

I have a bit of a peculiar issue. On my cheeks I have some stubble that I can't get. I puff, I buff, I j-hook, and stretch. Nada. I can't feel it, but I can see it. Very frustrating.

Been wetshaving for years, have techniques down pat. Tried many, many brands of blades and while I get a BBS with my Gillette Silver Blues, it can't get those hairs.

I am using a Merkur 34C for what it's worth :0

Many thanks

 

[slr31]

That must be frustrating indeed; like so near yet so far

Have you tried any other razor besides the HD? Some razors can work on the tough spots better than the others.

 

[mikelz777]

I have the same issue on my cheeks about 1-1/2 inches from each corner of my mouth and that doesn't change no matter what razor/blade combination I use. I've just resigned myself to treating it as a specialty area that I have to clean up after my normal shave. Thankfully, it's not a sensitive area so I can go over it many times from all directions. Sometimes I'll do "X" strokes from south to north. Sometimes I'll do "V" strokes from south to north. I have to puff out my cheeks and apply more pressure than I usually do. I don't really have a set procedure that will take care of it like I do the rest of my face. I just have to kind of keep at it until I can see that it's gone.

 

[slr31]

Also, focusing on your prep may be helpful. You need some way to raise those hair before shaving - perhaps a scrub.

 

[ArNav]

Logically... if you do WTG, XTG, ATG right all the way, you just won't end up with any stubble.
So it's either your technique, or the razor/blade.
You say you have enough experience, and your blades are the venerable Gillette Silver Blues, so my advice would be to try another razor or a couple of them, although 34c is very good.

 

[Pauly]

I have the same issue on my cheeks about 1-1/2 inches from each corner of my mouth and that doesn't change no matter what razor/blade combination I use. I've just resigned myself to treating it as a specialty area that I have to clean up after my normal shave. Thankfully, it's not a sensitive area so I can go over it many times from all directions. Sometimes I'll do "X" strokes from south to north. Sometimes I'll do "V" strokes from south to north. I have to puff out my cheeks and apply more pressure than I usually do. I don't really have a set procedure that will take care of it like I do the rest of my face. I just have to kind of keep at it until I can see that it's gone.

I have the same issue , I have to push my cheeks out and try every pattern I can.

 

[BigNickel]

I have this issue. Dark hair. Fair complexion. Light skin. I have managed to get it very close but it's a rounded approach to get there.

1. Shower and exfoliate before each shave, either with an aggressive scrub, or a sudsy washcloth. Spend several minutes working all areas to be shaved. Too much pressure can cause irritation, so focus on gentle pressure, small circles, against the grain. You are trying to free the (in grown) hair from the epidermis. When viewed at a microscopic level, much of your stubble is actually lightly in grown.

2. Prep. I like to use glycerine soap for a facewash and a glycerine based preshave (GFT Skin Food in this case). Just a dime sized amount lightly spread about before lathering.

3. Spend more time face lathering! The brush helps to lift the hair off the face and surrounds it with hydrating lather. This gives the blade opportunity to get underneath.

4. Blade angle. Try rolling your razor back a bit so that the blade can lift the hair as it glides ATG to get the whisker as close as possible.

5. Multiple passes in tougher trouble spots. You have already been working on this, don't abandon it. Fine tune your technique for your growth pattern.