Shaving in Hot Weather

[Gunney]

Gents,
I come to you with a bit of a problem. A painful problem; A shaving problem. In this Hot and Humid weather I am finding that if I shave before work (I am a manual labourer for the local Dump) my face hurts like *insert very-warm-subterranean-place*. Now this is exacerbated by sunburn and dirt and the like, but needless to say I could do with a resolution! It hurts to put sunblock on, and even more for insect repellent!

I am going to try (tonight as the test) shaving on my afternoon shower and just going to work with a 5*clock shadow, but still if there is a resolution that'd be great! Since I am extremely tired when I get home and shaving really isn't on my to-do list, unless there is a nice plush chair involved....

I shave using cold water (I hear it is supposed to help...atleast that is what 'Good Morning Vietnam' told me, lol) and using a relatively pacifistic razor (EJ89) along with some Arko Stick. I do a WTG, ATG, and XTG pass, since I have a beard that grows in sporadic directions... I then apply some (leftover) Cool-Water aftershave lotion.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[goatee]

try a two pass instead of three. shave before bed. (who are you trying to impress at work?) skip the aftershave lotion and try unrefined shea butter. <----google its benefits. it will blow your mind.

 

[martym]

Applying alum after my shave works for me.
i let it dry and then apply Cetaphil cream.
marty

 

[Gunney]

try a two pass instead of three. shave before bed. (who are you trying to impress at work?) skip the aftershave lotion and try unrefined shea butter. <----google its benefits. it will blow your mind.

Trouble is if I use two passes it is rough and splotchy...

Gotta impress those chicks who turn up their nose at someone working in such a job.... lol jk..

 

[hawk8945]

Marty believes in alum so much that he gave me a block today what a great gesture. Thanks bud getting ready to try it in a few.

 

[goatee]

i worked at a auto graveyard/recycle scrap metal this past winter. cover alls, heavy coat, dork hat, the works,,, and women were flirting with me more there than they have in a long time. go figure.

 

[Wetshavingswede]

I suggest the proraso green soap combined with the pre/after cream from the same series.

Cold water shave with that software has not failed me so far.

Btw, good on you for trying to "impress the chicks" @ the dump

In reality one only needs to impress oneself, everything else will follow

 

[bjh618]

I've been cycling to work and hitting the gym beforehand, so in summer I have the same issue. I moved my shave to the night before, and go for a closer shave than I would typically attempt. That seems to give my face enough time to recover, while minimising the 5-o-clock shadow. Most people in my office shave like slobs anyway, so I still look more presentable than them.

 

[Jeff_H]

It sounds like the shaving at night solution will likely be the best. I generally use the same razor as you, Muhle R89. Two summers ago I started working a job in downtown Tulsa. The company didn't pay for parking and since I'd just come off being employed, I thought I'd save money for the first few months and ride the bus, which stopped only a block from my building downtown. Even on relatively cool mornings it was humid and the a/c on the bus was poor at best with the doors open/closed all the time. Lots of mornings my neck was really burning from sweat by the time I got to work.

That led me to search for an aftershave balm that really helped sooth my skin, even when I didn't think I had razor burn. Some morning I thought I'd got a great shave until that sweat hit my neck. I finally found and tried Weleda Aftershave Balm. For me that helped tremendously. Didn't completely cure my issues, but about 90%. When I finally decided to pay for parking because the bus was just too much of a pain it solved the rest of my problems. You don't have that option right now.

I'd suggest shaving at night and a good, healing, soothing aftershave balm of some kind. Whether it's Weleda, the unrefined Shea butter or something else, you need something to soothe and help your skin recover overnight. Good luck.

 

[Nomad1600]

I live near Houston, so you can guess that I am always shaving in a hot and humid climate. I also have an EJ DE89L. I like Nivea Sensitive ASB if I sense any irritation, but most times its a simple slap of Aqua Velva or Old Spice, so either my skin isn't as sensitive or perhaps my blade and technique may be less aggressive. I don't believe you have indicated your blade... have you tried an Astra SP blade?

 

[SilkySmooth]

If you have sun burn, I would highly advise not shaving until it heals. Then I would shave using hot water and end with a cold water splash. This should give you the least amount of irritation.

 

[sgtd]

I have the same problem if I shave and then go running. My face burns terribly. I learned that its best to wait until I'm done. In your case I'd say shave at night before bed. I also second the unrefined Shea butter recommendation. It works wonders.

 

[Jtokle]

I live near Houston, so you can guess that I am always shaving in a hot and humid climate. I also have an EJ DE89L. I like Nivea Sensitive ASB if I sense any irritation, but most times its a simple slap of Aqua Velva or Old Spice, so either my skin isn't as sensitive or perhaps my blade and technique may be less aggressive. I don't believe you have indicated your blade... have you tried an Astra SP blade?

Nivea Sensitive ASB is amazing. My advice would be to try this, along with the Proraso soap in the white tub or blue tube. Both have been amazing for me as far as no irritation. I work as an overnight handler at one of the big shipping companies. I like to shave before work, but if I don't do it right, I'll start itching and burning as soon as I start sweating. Arko is a good soap for the price, but it really never did much for me in terms of protecting my skin from irritation.

You might also try some different blades. Astra SP + my DE89 + Proraso blue or white + Nivea ASB = basically shaving with training wheels. I could only hurt or irritate myself with that combo if I actually tried. You might have a similar magic combo that you've yet to discover.

 

[musicman1951]

I have a similar problem - except I'm retired and it's the golf sunscreen.

The only solution I've found is to shave later in the day. I suspect that if you shave right before bed you will be fine for most of the day.

 

[Howl1nWolf]

try a two pass instead of three. shave before bed. (who are you trying to impress at work?) skip the aftershave lotion and try unrefined shea butter. <----google its benefits. it will blow your mind.

All good advice. You might try coconut oil instead of shea sometime. It protects and helps heal.

 

[Mick]

Try using Nivea sensitive aftershave balm.

If that does not do it for you then shaving the night before might be your only option

 

[GuanYu]

I'd like to suggest a pre-shave oil. I think it would further reduce irritation and help protect the skin from the drying effects of the soap you are using. You can make your own for cheap.

 

[Labowski]

I shave with hot water, before work, everyday... in the summer... in the Middle-East, near the Persian Gulf. It gets HOT and HUMID out here, but I feel like a splash of Clubman cools my face enough. I think my pre-shave oil has peppermint oil as an ingredient too, so that helps. I'm a sucker for anything with mint or menthol and I always suggest those types of products to my friends and family who are in hot climates. I also steer clear of any face creams/balms/lotions (aside form AS splashes), I feel liek they clog my pores too easily.

 

[Gunney]

I shave with hot water, before work, everyday... in the summer... in the Middle-East, near the Persian Gulf. It gets HOT and HUMID out here, but I feel like a splash of Clubman cools my face enough. I think my pre-shave oil has peppermint oil as an ingredient too, so that helps. I'm a sucker for anything with mint or menthol and I always suggest those types of products to my friends and family who are in hot climates. I also steer clear of any face creams/balms/lotions (aside form AS splashes), I feel liek they clog my pores too easily.

Huh so pre-shave oil... Do you still get that pain despite Uncle Sam's insistance on a clean shave?

The blade I use is Gillette Blue-- the Ivans make em, pretty sharp get about three shaves out of em...

 

[ricardo9505]

Even on the hottest days I still shave with hot water and can't imagine how cold water would benefit you as it closes the hair pores more.
After the shave used real cold water to rinse and grab the OSAGE Rub bottle. Ice cold. Then facial moisturizer (which has spf20). But if you use short sleeves the be sure to lotion those arms yet