Tendre Skin, does that really work as an aftershave?

[Jobol]

Hey guys,

Since I started DE, I am having some irritation problems on my cheeks and neck more so than with my previous cartridge razor probably because I am shaving now ATG which I wasn't doing before.

The irritation is in forms of redness, bumps, even slight discolorations on the skin, and it doesn't look very nice.

So, I searched the net and after a while I stumbled on something called "Tender Skin" that is supposed to be used as an after-shave and that is supposed to alleviate all of my symptoms. The caveat is that a bottle of this thing is 22$ on the canadian website! sik!

I tried searching the forums but did not produce any valuable results.

So what do you gentlemen make of this thing? does it really work? snake oil? apparently the main active ingredient is aspirin.


Thanks.

 

[Jobol]

So I guess no one ever used that specific product?

 

[RichGem]

I used it for a bit back in my mach 3 days but never found it that helpful. Plus, the stuff is costly. You can easily make your own for a fraction of the cost by dissolving an adult asprin or two in a bottle of witch hazel.

 

[xgunterx]

Maybe you could give some more information.
What combination are you using? (razor, blade, soap)
What is your preparation for the shave?
How many passes do you do?
How is your lather? Is it slick enough?
How is your technique?
...

Even if you have sensitive skin, with the right combo & technique the shaves should be comfortable.
It is also better to prevent the irritation then to solve it with a product afterwards.
Proraso Pre/After cream does a really nice job on the days that the shave wasn't so great as normal.

 

[Go West Young Man]

That product may or may not temporarily help alleviate some of the discomfort of razor burn, but the only way to cure bumps and irritation is to avoid getting them in the first place. Stop going ATG until your technique and prep are perfect.

 

[Jobol]

What combination are you using? (razor, blade, soap)

Right now, a Merkur Futur with a Merkur blade. Proraso cream.

What is your preparation for the shave?

I use the Proraso white preshave and the Proraso creme.

How many passes do you do?

3. 2 WTG, and 1 ATG

How is your lather? Is it slick enough?

It is rather concentrated and nothing glides easily through it. So I have to use a bit of force on the razor.

How is your technique?

I began 2 weeks ago, so I still have a lot to learn.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Oi, I think I see the problem.

1. Blades. Ditch the Merkur blades. You can find 1 person who likes them to 999 who despise them. Go for a sampler instead, you'll find the difference in blade quality astonishing.

2. Prep. All you do it apply preshave and start shaving? No shower? No hot towel? That's a huge problem right there, you need to get your skin and hair ready for the shave before dragging a sharp blade over it.

3. Passes. 2 WTG's is unecessary - if you do the pass right there won't be anything to cut the second time - and obviously ATG is too much for your skin to handle now. I'd suggest 1xWTG, then 1xXTG. Get used to giving yourself a consistent, smooth shave, and worry about closeness later. Gradually work a second XTG in the opposite direction into your routine, and don't even consider ATG until you can do those 3 passes perfectly.

4. Lather. Definitely work on this, it sounds like you need more water. The razor should glide smoothly through the lather as if it weren't there.

Finally, don't get discouraged, you're learning 3 or 4 new skills at the same time and each one has the potential to bite you. It'll take a couple months until you're really comfortable with the whole process.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Tend Skin is expensive and burns like napalm. The active ingredient is Salicylic acid which has a few properties that promote healthy skin. I use Dermalogica Post Shave Balm, which contains Salicylic acid, is fragrance free, and feels fantastic. Also, you can make your own Tend Skin REALLY easily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ikPJIJXMs

 

[xgunterx]

Right now, a Merkur Futur with a Merkur blade. Proraso cream.

That'a a pretty aggressive razor to start with. I hope you dialed it down?
I like the German gründlichkeit but the Merkur blade is not one of them.
What you want for now is a sharp AND smooth blade.
Astra comes to mind. I hear good things as well about Gillette 7 O'clock yellow, Iridiums, ...
Order a sample pack that contains not the most brands but a smaller one with the highest regarded brands.
Read the reviews on the blades.

I use the Proraso white preshave and the Proraso creme.

I like Proraso. It is giving me nice close shaves but the closeness comes at a price. The closer a razor/blade/soap combo allows you to get, the better your technique must be.
I'm not saying that you should abandon Proraso but take this into account.
There are very good soaps which gives you a very comfortable (protection) shaves like Palmolive stick, Tabac, Speick stick, MWF, ...
They can help to master the technique while in the mean time give you comfortable shaves.
Reed the reviews.

3. 2 WTG, and 1 ATG

It is rather concentrated and nothing glides easily through it. So I have to use a bit of force on the razor.

I began 2 weeks ago, so I still have a lot to learn.

[/quote]

If you have to force, than you can't let the razor do it's job and then it's easier to mess up for which you pay a price.

The prep is important.
Look up Kyle's prep.
Wash your face thoroughly. You can preferably use a drying soap for this. You really want the all the natural grease from your skin and beard. This will allow it to suck up moisture in the next step.
Then rinse well with hot water, leave the face wet and take some Proraso and massage it really wel into your beard. let it be for 2-3 minutes and make it wetter if it is drying on your face.
Make the face wet again and lather up.
You can include a hot towel as well.

 

[Jobol]

Hey how do you guys apply hot wet towels on your face while standing up?

Or do you go lay down somewhere on a couch?

 

[xgunterx]

Hey how do you guys apply hot wet towels on your face while standing up?
8<

Spread your hands in front of you with the palms facing upwards.
Then bring both of your thumbs next to your adams apple and spread out your fingers across your face from ears to nose.
The towel stays in position nicely.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Hey how do you guys apply hot wet towels on your face while standing up?

Or do you go lay down somewhere on a couch?

Use both hands

 

[Jobol]

Use both hands

loool...well, I am a big guy and fairly un-flexible so this will be a pain for me. I can barely touch my left ear with my left hand and same for the right.

I will try nonetheless. If not, try to lay down with the how towel on my face. How long do I keep it there?

 

[baba]

Oi, I think I see the problem.

1. Blades. Ditch the Merkur blades. You can find 1 person who likes them to 999 who despise them. Go for a sampler instead, you'll find the difference in blade quality astonishing.

2. Prep. All you do it apply preshave and start shaving? No shower? No hot towel? That's a huge problem right there, you need to get your skin and hair ready for the shave before dragging a sharp blade over it.

3. Passes. 2 WTG's is unecessary - if you do the pass right there won't be anything to cut the second time - and obviously ATG is too much for your skin to handle now. I'd suggest 1xWTG, then 1xXTG. Get used to giving yourself a consistent, smooth shave, and worry about closeness later. Gradually work a second XTG in the opposite direction into your routine, and don't even consider ATG until you can do those 3 passes perfectly.

4. Lather. Definitely work on this, it sounds like you need more water. The razor should glide smoothly through the lather as if it weren't there.

Finally, don't get discouraged, you're learning 3 or 4 new skills at the same time and each one has the potential to bite you. It'll take a couple months until you're really comfortable with the whole process.

+1...this is great advice. I think this will solve your problems.

 

[xgunterx]

8<
I will try nonetheless. If not, try to lay down with the how towel on my face. How long do I keep it there?

Don't let it get cold. You don't want to close your pores again.
30 seconds will do.

 

[Go West Young Man]

You're so inflexible you can't touch your own ear? I'm thinking that might might contribute to your shave woes, you need to be able to move your hands deftly around your face.