One for blokes, need shaving help!

I am 18 and have never EVER had a shave without developing irratated, red and spotty skin for days afterwards.

lts always on my neck area, and appears a few hours after shaving. I truly believe I have tried everything in order to try and stop this. This has included

-every type of ''post'' and ''pre'' shave oil, foam, gel, conditioner
-trying shaving oil, gel, foam, aloe vera foam, and every 'sensitive' brand
-using only cold water
-using only hot water
-using single/double/triple blades/ an electric shaver

the list goes on. Basically, any practical tip that usually gets branded around with questions like this has been tried, and it has been unsuccessfully.

Its even worse that I have to shave every 5 days or I look like a homeless man, if anyone can advise me on what I am doing wrong I would be very helpful.

Reply 1

silence

not saying that you have done this, but maybe constant switching between different methods and equipment can cause aggitation. i shave with an electric, but had to wet shave for the first time the other day, felt like i'd just wiped my face with a huge boulder.

it might be hard to start with at first, but maybe getting into a routine of using the same thing could help?

Reply 2

TOD100

looked into natural remedies?

MC

Reply 3

Descartes

worried_mess

Its even worse that I have to shave every 5 days or I look like a homeless man, if anyone can advise me on what I am doing wrong I would be very helpful.

Could be worse, I look like like a homeless man after 1 day!

Reply 4

dave

Broadly speaking there are two types of shaving rash. One results from inflammation of the hair follicles due to persistent infection in the follicles themselves, and the other is caused by ingrowing hairs triggering a reaction in the skin.
Considering you've tried just about every alternative there is, I suspect the reason is probably the former of the two - it's NOTHING to do with personal hygiene btw. :wink:

A visit to the doctors is your next step for a course of systemic antibiotics.

Reply 5

worried_mess

I have been shaving since I was 14, I dont switch between methods on a daily basis, its more like 4/5 months before I try a new method...

Reply 6

hypomania

yeah i know i'm a girl, but with legs you need to exfoliate daily after you shave, so what if you got an exfoliating scrub and used it on your face instead?

:confused:

use a shaving brush!

worried_mess

lts always on my neck area, and appears a few hours after shaving. I truly believe I have tried everything in order to try and stop this. This has included

Hmm, Sounds like you may be shaving against the grain. From what I've been told, the hair may actually grow up on your neck, and thus require shaving in that direction to be with the grain. I saw it on queer eye for the straight guy. I don't grow much hair, due to being a small part native american, so luckily I don't have this problem. My Dad doesn't even grow hair on the sides of his face, including side burns.

Reply 9

worried_mess

The hair on my neck grows all over the place though, it would be impossible not to shave against the grain in some places.

generally, is an electric shaver better for people with sensitive skin?

And what is an exfoliatning scrub!?

Reply 10

Leisure17

Exfoliating scrub is usually a gel with little hard particles in it. You maybe really should go to a good cosmetics department (they do do them for men as well) and ask for one. You rub it on your skin with some water and it takes off any loose skin particles and cleans up your pores. That way hairs can't grow in as easily. Don't do it every day, every other day should do. Maybe you could look for an hypoallergenic brand.

Reply 11

ancientone

Everyones beard is slightly different. If possible avoid shaving against the growth direction of the skin as mentioned by SirPimpsALittle. Also make sure that the razor you're using is sharp, preferably new if disposable so you get a good clean cut. Use a hot towel or similar (as hot as you can stand) for a few minutes before starting to apply shaving gel/foam, as this opens the pores more. Failing that I really think you need to see your GP as this could be a detmatalogical problem.

Reply 12

dave

ancientone

Failing that I really think you need to see your GP as this could be a detmatalogical problem.

If he's been shaving for 4 years - tried all sorts of unnecessary expensive hyped-up crap - tried different shaving methods - and still has the problem - then it DEFINITELY is a dermatalogical problem. It's called FOLLICULITIS. READ THIS.

Reply 13

A0307

Use a single blade razor, a shaving brush (makes the hair stand up) and soap/cream, and make sure you shave with the grain as much as possible, not going over the same place more than necessary (preferably no more than once). For a very nice razor I'd recommend a Merkur Futur.