Will straight razor shaving clear up my folliculitis?

[mascarasnake21]

Recently I've been getting into cologne. This, predictably, drew me back here and made me start thinking of getting out my straight (bought from a member on here!) and giving it a whirl.

I shave weekly (roughly) mainly because of my neck. It gets red, blotchy, and bumpy in a New York minute post-shave, and because of this I've almost put all wet shaving on hold since 2009. Will the super-sharpness of a straight help clear this up?

 

[cpcohen1945]

You don't say what you're shaving with now. If it's a cartridge, either a DE or a straight razor _may_ help your neck -- it's worth a try. People report good results here, frequently.

HOWEVER:

With a straight razor, you'll be climbing a fairly steep, fairly long learning curve. So don't blame the razor (or say it's not working) until you have 10 - 20 shaves (strictly with-the-grain, no XTG or ATG) worth of experience.

With a DE, the learning curve is shorter. And the edge is roughly as sharp (depending on the blade, could be sharper) as a straight-razor edge.

With either razor, you'll have to use much, much less pressure than with a cartridge. If you don''t, you'll get "razor burn" -- raw, blotchy, red, painful skin.


. Charles

 

[Legion]

Recently I've been getting into cologne. This, predictably, drew me back here and made me start thinking of getting out my straight (bought from a member on here!) and giving it a whirl.

I shave weekly (roughly) mainly because of my neck. It gets red, blotchy, and bumpy in a New York minute post-shave, and because of this I've almost put all wet shaving on hold since 2009. Will the super-sharpness of a straight help clear this up?

No, but the smoothness of a straight might. Actually, a traditional straight is rarely as sharp as a safety blade, but sharpness isnt everything. It helps, but sometimes a blade can be sharp and harsh on the skin. It's complicated.

I say give it a go, remembering that there is a learning curve with everything, and straights more so than most. Stick with it and you will reap rewards. I can honestly say I have not had an ingrown hair in a couple of years, and I used to get them on my neck all the time.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Only inconvenience I have found since starting with straights is that certain soaps seem to block my follicles so get black heads from time to time on my chin. Other than that no more irritation on my neck and a damn close shave! Oh yeah and the odd cut that pisses blood all over the bathroom......

 

[O.G.]

Yes it will help. It helped mine. Yes there's a learning curve but what is to be gained from something that is as easy as the cartridge method. I had it and it is now clear. Make sure you rinse your face well after a shave because soap residue does clog pores. Get alum if you dont so that it can kill bacteria and then a good balm for your skin type.

Also when you shave think of the straight as a "skimmer" and do not dig into your face.

 

[Sergio70]

I wouldnt use a fixed blade: too many variables at the same time. I would use a feather style razor withs disposable blades, so you can focus only on your technique. It is worth the effort.

 

[Kentos]

Lots of good advice. I would add that the benefits of a straight are mostly from the ability to constantly adjust blade angle, pressure and, through honing, edge quality. The bad thing is that it takes a while to learn the techniques to harvest these benefits.

If you can make it through to "the other side", I feel you will be very happy with the subsequent shaves.

Good luck!l

 

[lindyhop66]

Using a straight cleared up razor bumps on my chin, that a DE or SE couldn't. The disposeable blade straights or shavettes to me are much more unforgiving...more blood, but everyone is right about straights being a steep and long learning curve...but I love the straights. You have to be motivated.

If you don't go with the straight, get a Treet DE. It's plastic and a re-branding of the Wilkinson Sword Classic. It's very cheap, $7.99 and very smooth. You can buff your way to smoothness without any irritation. You can buy them at http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com. Super non-aggressive, but it works.