To go ATG, or to not go ATG... some questions have no answers?

[HokieGeek]

Ok, so ever since I was a kid I was always told DO NOT shave ATG because that creates ingrown hairs. I ignored that advice with my rotary shaver because it didn't seem to matter, but now that I am wet shaving, I have noticed this adage being proclaimed again. Within this forum I have seen many statements to newbies to not shave ATG.

Now, that being said, I see that many, many people do 3 or 4 shave passes which usually include or end with an ATG stroke. In fact, a couple of the newbie info stickies suggest it.

So, the conclusion I have drawn is that going ATG can lead to ingrown hairs, but, with that warning aside, if you find it works for you, go for it. Is that essentially the advice?

I sometimes go ATG on my cheeks, but I've tried on my neck and the razor catches on the hairs which scares me off. Wondering if I should even bother trying.

 

[Haber Dashing]

Ok, so ever since I was a kid I was always told DO NOT shave ATG because that creates ingrown hairs. I ignored that advice with my rotary shaver because it didn't seem to matter, but now that I am wet shaving, I have noticed this adage being proclaimed again. Within this forum I have seen many statements to newbies to not shave ATG.

Now, that being said, I see that many, many people do 3 or 4 shave passes which usually include or end with an ATG stroke. In fact, a couple of the newbie info stickies suggest it.

So, the conclusion I have drawn is that going ATG can lead to ingrown hairs, but, with that warning aside, if you find it works for you, go for it. Is that essentially the advice?

I sometimes go ATG on my cheeks, but I've tried on my neck and the razor catches on the hairs which scares me off. Wondering if I should even bother trying.

When most of the members post to newbies to avoid going ATG it is a temporary suggestion. It is given so that you have time to develop proper technique and skill while learning to wet shave. It is not a rule of thumb per say. My suggestion normally goes like this, do a WTG pass for a week or 2. Let your face get used to wet shaving. When do you know its time to add XTG or ATG pass? The styptic and aftershave splash are great tools that we can use to grade the integrity of our shave. If you need to use a styptic pencil regularly, don't add an XTG or ATG pass. If it burns like the fire of Hades when you use an aftershave splash, then don't add an XTG or ATG pass. If you are having a relatively painless experience going WTG then add an XTG, and when you can say the same about the XTG then add an ATG.

Many of us just know when enough is enough. Sure we can add more passes but we take stock of the results and either proceed to the next pass, or say this is good enough for today. Its better to have a close comfortable shave, then have baby butt smooth shave at the expense of a pint of blood, or a severe case of razor burn.

Rate your shaves progressively as a whole, not just, good day bad day. Learn your comfort zone and adhere to it. This is the zen of YMMV.

 

[Slack]

+1 to Haber Dashing

ATG can be very harsh to your face, especially if you're still learning your technique. If you feel comfortable thus far along, give it a shot. A couple of things you may want to consider:

Don't shave directly ATG, try offsetting. i.e. if your beard lays N-S, try shaving SE to NW
Apply some EVOO before your ATG pass
Be aware if the curves of your face, my cheek bones stick out which equates to having to adjust my ATG shave angle
Try tilting your head slightly so the razor's weight does the work and your not applying pressure
Lastly, take your time

 

[Geordon]

Many of us just know when enough is enough. Sure we can add more passes but we take stock of the results and either proceed to the next pass, or say this is good enough for today. Its better to have a close comfortable shave, then have baby butt smooth shave at the expense of a pint of blood, or a severe case of razor burn.

Rate your shaves progressively as a whole, not just, good day bad day. Learn your comfort zone and adhere to it. This is the zen of YMMV.

Truer words were never spoken. ATG is one of those things that some do, some don't, some will, some won't, some can, some can't. I am of the mind that comfort is the most important of things, so will often forgo the BBS in favor of no irritation. I also sometimes do ATG, just not often. When I do, I've got to feel like the shave is going particularly well, or I just don't risk the burn.

Know your own reactions, and go ATG if you feel up to/like it. It's all good!

 

[mwhals]

Echo what everyone else said. Also, you don't want to do a ATG pass unless you have removed enough hair in the WTG and XTG steps. You should look like you already shaved before doing an ATG pass in my opinion.

 

[Ansuz]

For what its worth, I generally only do an ATG pass when I have a big event that I need to look my 100% best for: a big presentation, a black tie event, etc. Other than that, i find that a WTG and XTG pass is more than sufficent for my daily shaving needs.

When I do need an ATG, I generally do my normal shave routine first then apply a PSO - I find the added slickness really helps keep the irritation down. Then, I only shave the parts where I know my normal passess leave short stubble (neck, upper lip and chin) forgoing the other areas as unneeded. This technique yeilds few problems for me by YMMV.

My best piece of advice is don't attempt an ATG until you've been shaving with the same razor for at least a months worth of shaves. You need to have good knowledge of both your face and your razor before you will know the right angles and the right ammount of pressure to apply; one of the virtues of wet shaving is that the razor does most of the work for you in terms of pressure and an ATG pass requires you to mimic that pressure perfectly, a feat that can only be accomplished with knowledge and experinece.

 

[Dib]

ATG is the only way I can get BBS. Otherwise I cant even come close with my beard.

 

[shmeegs]

I don't do ATG cuts. Too many bumps and ingrown hairs. I do XTG cuts both ways and finishing moves afterwords to get as close to BBS as possible. It makes me sad I can't get BBS, but the lack of pain is worth it.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I'd say that the only way for you to know if ATG will be a problem for you is to give it a try. It may be O.K. for you, and that's the end of that discussion. Everyone is different, I've seen members who can do ATG without anything happening, and then some who ATG is almost the kiss of death too.

Give it a try, if its not for you your face will let you know right away. Then too it may be something that you'll have to work into, and after a period of adjustment it may work for you. Either way you'll find out, and if you can't do it then you'll find ways around it.

So try it for awhile, just be sure to use no pressure other than the weight of the razor for your ATG. Post your results and see if any fine tuning is needed.

 

[mwhals]

I can't do ATG above my upper lip. It just doesn't work for me, so I don't bother that area, but I can do the other areas ATG.

 

[Hansel]

You know I would say I do an ATG pass maybe half the time.

I'll do it if I've done a WTG/XTG pass or two and I'm feeling good about my lather, skin condition, and blade. If for some reason I had to take a two-minute shower and hit the road in the morning, I'll take the time to shave before bed and do an ATG pass so I'm presentable in the morning. Gives my skin some nice resting time too.

If I need to be extra clean, then I'll also go ATG. For example, if there's an important event I need to be dressed up for or I know it's going to be a long day.

I do know that after some rough shaves I've done WTG only for a few days to heal up.

 

[Stubblefield]

I can't do ATG above my upper lip.

Wouldn't that be your nose?

I find that short strokes ATG seem to work the best.

 

[mycarver]

I had always done ATG out of ignorance from the day I started shaving, about 35 yrs ago. Then I too, read some articles on men's grooming that stated never to do it. Being contrarian I ignored it because I liked the outcome. Did it with the disposable multi-blades when I used them for some time and now that I'm back with the DE's I still keep doing it. Personally, like I said , I like the outcome and I'm not happy if I don't. Then again, I've never had a problem with ingrowns etc. I tried it, I liked it. That's just me.

 

[boomer56]

I go ATG two or three days a week.

In my experience, you don't want to rush it. If you stick with this, you will get to the point where the idea of a more difficult maneuver starts to sound like a cool challenge.

Having said that, if you watched the Mantic videos, the "Gillette Slide" makes me cringe, and I can't see myself ever trying it.

Seems like, as a general rule, a close comfortable shave is better than a technically perfect one, whatever that even means.

Best,

Boomer

 

[Drubbing]

I wonder if all the professional barbers that say never shave ATG, also think it would be ok to give every cusomer the exact same haircut?

 

[DFrancis]

I stay away from ATG on my neck most days because the irritation it can cause is just not worth it. My face is no problem.

 

[baba]

So, the conclusion I have drawn is that going ATG can lead to ingrown hairs, but, with that warning aside, if you find it works for you, go for it. Is that essentially the advice?

I sometimes go ATG on my cheeks, but I've tried on my neck and the razor catches on the hairs which scares me off. Wondering if I should even bother trying.

Yes, if it works for you, you enjoy it and your skin is not irritated...then go for it.

Why don't you try it one night when it doesn't matter if you nick yourself, well, I mean it always matters if nick yourself, but at least do it when you won't have to be at work an hour later. In other words, do it when you have some time to kill.

Maybe you will love it and work it into your routine? Maybe you will do it every so often? Maybe you will never do it again? Point here is to try it and see.

Shaving is a learning experience. You learn by repetition, by trying new things and by making mistakes. Because I was willing to try it...I now know that my neck will not tolerate ATG, but my face WILL tolerate ATG.

Dive in and try it, either way, you will become a better shaver for it.

 

[Carlo A]

Its better to have a close comfortable shave, then have baby butt smooth shave at the expense of a pint of blood, or a severe case of razor burn.

Rate your shaves progressively as a whole, not just, good day bad day. Learn your comfort zone and adhere to it.

Bravo! Your advice is wonderful.

I have been pushing ATG and I get alot of cuts and razor burns like the fires of hades. I will now calm down and go step by step. WTG for 1 week at least.

Thank mate, cheers.

 

[ImaWestie]

I shave with a straight now.
If I haven't done WTG then XTG is quite difficult.
If I haven'd done XTG then ATG is also quite difficult.

There are parts of my face that I can't shave either WTG or XTG (just underneath to the point of my chin being the most notable). Maybe this is poor technique? But as long as I've done everything else, finishing my shave ATG "just to get this part of my face" gives a fantastic result (well, apart from my recent strop misadventures).

YMMV. But it's definately worth trying, when you are ready (shaving isn't a Jedi mind trick, "trying" is entirely OK)!

 

[Greglam]

for what its worth, i generally only do an atg pass when i have a big event that i need to look my 100% best for: A big presentation, a black tie event, etc. Other than that, i find that a wtg and xtg pass is more than sufficent for my daily shaving needs.

+1