Shaving more than once a day - pros & cons

[pjm1]

I'm not sure if this should live here or in the newbie section as I'm a newbie and it's probably a question that's been asked - and answered - many times before... if so, my apologies. I did a forum search and spent a lot of time looking through the FAQs but couldn't find the answer to this question. It might well be because there is no one answer for everyone??

So, to the question... how frequently to shave? But, more specifically, is shaving twice a day advantageous or does it pose potential issues with increased irritation? Clearly if you want a smooth(ish) face at 8am and 8pm, shaving twice a day will give you a better result in that department than once a day. But are there downsides, apart from the time and marginal cost?

To give my question a little more added context, I still suffer from the tail end of cartridge+goo induced shaving rash... I'm new to using brush, shaving soap etc. but loving it and finding it is helping with the rash. I'm about to move from cartridges to DE, which I'm hoping will help finally get rid of the rash - I'll only be making one pass over the skin each time, rather than 3 or however many blades the cartridge has.

In the past, I've never shaved more than once a day as it's been a terrible chore. Conversely, when I've left my beard to grow for a day or two and then tried shaving, it's made the rash worse... that may be specific to my old shaving routine, lack of prep etc. I haven't tried it since discovering the light, though. My wonder is whether shaving twice a day might have a similar effect... or perhaps the opposite and lead to less irritation??

Of course, I'm going to give it a whirl and I can report back on my findings, but I'm always keen to know others' thoughts beforehand, especially if anyone has particularly strong views either way.

In terms of my beard growth, I'd say it's average. I don't have a particular need to shave twice a day other than it should feel nicer (assuming no extra irritation) and might be easier? Then again, you might tell me shaving every 12 hours makes getting a DFS harder... so I'm keen to know!

 

[Snargle]

First, welcome to the Forum and congratulations on taking the first steps to a better shave.

As a newbie, I would NOT recommend you shaving more than once a day. It's going to take a little while for your face to adjust to the new regimen and for your technique and skills to develop. In fact, you may find the need to skip an occasional day if you get a particularly rough shave. However, if you follow the suggestions in the Wikis and stickies at the top of the Shave Clinic & Newbie Check-In Forum, and spend some time watching the Mantic59 Youtube videos, your conversion should be short and relatively painless.

Good luck and let us know how your journey fares.

 

[pjm1]

Thanks Snargle - exactly the kind of answer I hoped for when I posted... as a complete newbie I don't yet know what I don't know, so have to ask lots of questions!

Right, I'm off out to pick up my DE razor and 5-pack of WS Classic blades. Let's hope I don't cut my face to ribbons tomorrow morning!

 

[Amzimbo]

I often shave twice a day, especially when I go out in the evening, but I think this is one of those classic YMMV issues. It all depends on your skin. I seem to be blessed with problem free old boot leather that can take it. That said, I agree with Snargle. Start slowly, see how it goes and test the reaction of your skin. Only you can determine what's gonna work for your particular skin. But as you gain experience with both products and your technique, you may find your initial impressions changing. In other words, don't rush to judgment and give it time. Good luck.

 

[Galengwath]

Just to chime in, I agree with what has already been said. DE shaving and better prep will likely help the condition of your skin improve, but not if you're shaving too much. Particularly early on. Just take things slow and you'll be fine. A lot of initial problems that new DE shaves seem to have is that they try to do too much too quickly - for example, a four pass shave the first time you pick up a DE is probably not the best idea.

Once you're comfortable with the DE and making a good lather, then by all means start experimenting with different routines to find something that works good for you. I find personally that even with a DE or straight shaving every day gives me a bit more irritation than I like, while if I skip a day or two my next shave is much more comfortable.

 

[pjm1]

Thanks guys... the feedback is hugely helpful. DE has been acquired and I'll give it a blast tomorrow morning. I'll even be up maybe 20-30 minutes earlier than usual just so I'm not rushing!

Another thought has popped into my head: I do my usual routine tomorrow morning, except I'll be using my DE razor instead of the cartridge. Depending on how that first pass with the DE goes, might I be better off doing the second pass with a cartridge to make sure I get an ok shave without doing too many passes? I know that won't sort out the irritation problem, but I guess my slight fear is if I do 2 passes with the DE and find I still have done a dire job, I'll end up doing 3, 4 or 5 passes to get just an acceptable shave...

It will probably all become obvious to me tomorrow morning when I see the results of my first attempt! If I'm cut to ribbons or have missed most of the hairs, I might need to revert to cartridge and try again with the DE on Thursday morning. If, on the other hand, I manage a passable attempt (excuse the pun) then I guess I'll just finish off with the DE.

Don't worry, I'll be taking things slowly... I like to perfect things and the only way to do this is to make small, incremental steps and "track the changes". But boy, this is all good fun!

 

[a Rose's thorn]

I think you are on the right track already. Sometimes, when I had started DE shaving, I was more focused on the end result. I wasn't paying as much attention to what I was doing. Too much pressure, not mapping my neck correctly, not enough soap or water in my lather. Another mistake I made was thinking I had to do a 3 or 4 pass shave. Most of my whiskers were gone by that fourth pass, all I was doing was shaving bare skin unnecessarily.
Now what does this have to do with shaving twice a day? By doing a two pass shave with touch ups in the morning, I am able to shave another two pass shave when I want to in the evening. I will generally shave twice a day, two times per week. I have not had any adverse effects. Having said all that, I agree with Snargle - there is no way I could have shaved twice a day when I switched from carts. My shaves were much better from day 1 of DE shaving, but I struggled with pressure (the r41 helped me learn what NO PRESSURE means) and mapping the neck. Good luck and welcome to B & B!!!

 

[PugslyCat]

Thanks guys... the feedback is hugely helpful. DE has been acquired and I'll give it a blast tomorrow morning. I'll even be up maybe 20-30 minutes earlier than usual just so I'm not rushing!

Another thought has popped into my head: I do my usual routine tomorrow morning, except I'll be using my DE razor instead of the cartridge. Depending on how that first pass with the DE goes, might I be better off doing the second pass with a cartridge to make sure I get an ok shave without doing too many passes? I know that won't sort out the irritation problem, but I guess my slight fear is if I do 2 passes with the DE and find I still have done a dire job, I'll end up doing 3, 4 or 5 passes to get just an acceptable shave...

You might want to hold off until the weekend to switch to the DE razor. I'm just thinking that if there are problems you can let your face heal for the remainder of the weekend.
You may want to consider doing a single WTG pass with the DE for a couple of days and relying on your cartridge razor to clean things up a bit.
It may be a good idea to start DE shaving in the evenings when there is no time pressure and your face can heal overnight before trying to incorporate it into your morning routine.

 

[pjm1]

Well, I've managed to hold off so far - decided not to shave this morning (or last night) at all. So I now have very obvious stubble... when I get home I'm going to get all the chores & duties out of the way (and have a play with my son) and after dinner, I'll have a shower, do some long and careful prep and give the new DE a lash!

Fingers crossed... (not literally, as that would make holding the razor a little tricky)

 

[Shave_Rat]

I'm fairly new still to DE shaving, and there is no way I could have pulled off 2 shaves a day when I first started. I just got my technique to a point now where I actually managed 3 shaves now in the last 24 hours and not a nick or bump to be seen. So stick with technique on lathering/prep and the single day shave, everything else will fall into place from there.

 

[LittleLebowski]

It took me a while to get there but 2 shaves is easy and sometimes necessary for my stress levels

 

[Snargle]

Well, I've managed to hold off so far - decided not to shave this morning (or last night) at all. So I now have very obvious stubble... when I get home I'm going to get all the chores & duties out of the way (and have a play with my son) and after dinner, I'll have a shower, do some long and careful prep and give the new DE a lash!

Fingers crossed... (not literally, as that would make holding the razor a little tricky)

Good idea to get all the other stuff out of the way. That way you can focus and enjoy on the shaving experience. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

P.S. Don't forget the #1 Rule: NO PRESSURE!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Once my skills had progressed to the level where I could pull off 2 shaves a day, my shaves had got so close that I didn't need to anymore!

 

[Omak]

I think I could shave twice a day and I think I might try just for giggles.

I shaved twice this past weekend because I tried a straight for the first time over CoachSchaller's place(3 passes WTG), and it made my second shave that much better/faster/closer. Though I'd guess that the second shave could almost be a one/two pass XTG/ATG shave if my first shave had been a good one.

 

[ouch]

A good shave should make you presentable for most of your waking hours, so there's no real need to shave more than once a day. Even when I skip a day I don't look like a bum, but I feel like one.

 

[Shave_Rat]

A good shave should make you presentable for most of your waking hours, so there's no real need to shave more than once a day. Even when I skip a day I don't look like a bum, but I feel like one.

Well, work/public presentable isn't the same as like say date night presentable. Those are the times I usually find myself shaving twice in one day. lol

 

[pjm1]

Well guys, all I can say is Wow!

Had my first DE shave just then and it feels great. Took my time, two WTG passes and had to do a third on the moustache area to get it acceptable. No nicks and almost no redness... So thanks for all the tips, faqs and videos! I can feel the slightest hint of burn on a couple of patches of neck but otherwise it's totally comfortable, in fact nice! Feeling my face now WTG it feels as close as any other shave I've had. It's only when I feel it ATG that I can feel stubble. Definitely a sociable acceptable shave.

But... Here's the weird thing: as I look in the mirror I look less clean shaven than usual - a definite case of midday shadow and I've just finished shaving! My beard is medium brown and my skin is continental (mid to light olive) so shouldn't show too much and normally doesn't!

I know I used too much pressure a couple of times on the neck - I knew as I was doing it and tried to correct. But overall, I'm delighted and my first DE shave couldn't have gone any better.

I might need to check it in the morning and perhaps do a quick light pass with the cartridge but I'm pleased as punch right now! Normally after not shaving for two days I'd feel a cartridge shave more than this although I did spend 5 minutes on prep!

Thanks again!

 

[SteveWY]

Shaving twice is an honor and privilege reserved for the experienced few! (Kidding!) A new sahver should hold off on 2X/day shaving until settled in the routine and experiencing irritation-free shaves. I ocassionally shave twice (usually at least 12 hours apart) if I shave very early (5-6 AM) and have an evening event that requires a clean shave. That second shave is typically light 2-pass. I actually enjoy shaving now and I feel like I scored getting in an extra shave! Yea, SWMBO doesn't get it either! LOL!

 

[ateace]

For me, one a day is fine.

A good shave in the morning keeps me presentalble all day.
Even if I wanted to shave a second time for kicks, there wouldn't be enought stubble 12 hours later to justify it.
What's more, my skin would suffer needlessly.

 

[Omp]

Well guys, all I can say is Wow!

Had my first DE shave just then and it feels great. Took my time, two WTG passes and had to do a third on the moustache area to get it acceptable. No nicks and almost no redness... So thanks for all the tips, faqs and videos! I can feel the slightest hint of burn on a couple of patches of neck but otherwise it's totally comfortable, in fact nice! Feeling my face now WTG it feels as close as any other shave I've had. It's only when I feel it ATG that I can feel stubble. Definitely a sociable acceptable shave.

But... Here's the weird thing: as I look in the mirror I look less clean shaven than usual - a definite case of midday shadow and I've just finished shaving! My beard is medium brown and my skin is continental (mid to light olive) so shouldn't show too much and normally doesn't!

I know I used too much pressure a couple of times on the neck - I knew as I was doing it and tried to correct. But overall, I'm delighted and my first DE shave couldn't have gone any better.

I might need to check it in the morning and perhaps do a quick light pass with the cartridge but I'm pleased as punch right now! Normally after not shaving for two days I'd feel a cartridge shave more than this although I did spend 5 minutes on prep!

Thanks again!

Good stuff Paul, glad it went well. Sounds like you were more sensible than me on my 1st shave, from memory, I couldn't resist 4 passes and my face was singing to me for the rest of the day. And it wasn't a pleasant tune.