Sorry to ask this question if it has already been discussed, I'm only a month on the B&B. What makes skin on the neck so sensitive? It seems to be the absolute greatest problem we have in wet shaving (assuming you don't count RAD,SAD,ASAD,BAD and all the other costly additions). Is there something inherently different on the neck from the skin on the cheek or head that makes it prone to irritation? Could it be loose or wrinkled skin? Shape of the neck? Texture or complexion? Or is it technique related due to the angles of the blade? And more importantly what if anything can we do about it?
What is Different About the Neck?
- Thread starter CUSE69
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I believe you can find answers to all your questions reading this: Insights into shaving and its impact on skin
My neck irritation problems went away when I realized and learned that a WTG stroke on the lower third of my neck was actually an upstroke, and ATG there was a downstroke. What we think is accurate beard mapping in the neck region may not necessarily be so.
It took a long time for me to realize this.
Don
It took a long time for me to realize this.
Don
Neck can be tricky due to irregular hair growth. If you can accurately map the direction of your hair growth to insure a true WTG 1st pass, things dramatically get better. Also a light touch helps as well.
For some, the skin is thinner than the rest of their faces. Also some may have combination skin where the neck is drier than the rest. Finally there's more awkward surfaces to shave (esp. the Adam's apple).
- Thread starter
- #7
Interesting article. Maybe it should be referenced in the ShaveWIKI if not already in there. Thanks for the replies to everyone.
I don't have beard hair on my neck. So I conclude that we're not supposed to have hair on our necks. And all you people that have trouble with necks must accept it is your lot in life to be a freak.
The wife says there are fewer oil glands on the neck.
My neck hair grows in all sorts of directions, it's bizarre. I have a lot of trouble down towards the bottom of my neck, red bumps even when I started traditional shaving. Seems to be unavoidable.
I read this a while back when Siburning post it . Excellent insight....the key is hydration
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...rt-Survey-of-Scientific-Literature-on-Shaving
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- Thread starter
- #13
Chickens don't have hair on their necks either. You're in good company.
Thats a great article. It led me to start using a soft bristle toothbrush on my neck while in the shower. This seemed to really help get a more smooth shave. I suppose it help "clean and lift" the beard off the skin to help the blade to get to the whiskers.
It is hard to balk at that.
The hair on my neck goes in various directions, and mostly at a very acute angle. Also, the skin there is thinner and more sensitive. The hair above on my cheeks and chin seems to grow mostly straight out and shaves very easily.
I started using a face scrub again after seeing that article and it has made a noticeable difference for me. I like Nivea the best the price vs performance.
I think the hair growth patterns can be important for some. I think the biggest issue for new wet shavers though is the angle of the skin. On the cheeks the angle is fairly constant. The skin of the neck changes angle gradually throughout the stroke so the razor angle must change as well. Cartridge razors with pivoting heads do this for us, so it is a big adjustment in technique when new to wet shaving and it takes a while to learn, especially with so many other variables involved
I think the hair growth patterns can be important for some. I think the biggest issue for new wet shavers though is the angle of the skin. On the cheeks the angle is fairly constant. The skin of the neck changes angle gradually throughout the stroke so the razor angle must change as well. Cartridge razors with pivoting heads do this for us, so it is a big adjustment in technique when new to wet shaving and it takes a while to learn, especially with so many other variables involved
Now how exactly did you come to the conclusion that you're not the freak?
Not sure if stayed already, but when shaving around your Adam's apple, there is only a small portion of the blade in contact with the skin. For whatever reason, the feel of the blade becomes much harsher when it isn't able to lie flat against a surface area.
I also experience this on the rounded corners of the back of my scalp.
I also experience this on the rounded corners of the back of my scalp.
Try painting with your brush a little longer in that area.
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