Thread: Razor Burn and Nics/Cuts

I am new to safety razor shaving and was wondering if anyone else has issues with razor burn and nics/cuts in the neck area? What products or techniques do you use?

Jonathan

When I first got my DE I had issues, but as I got more proficient they stopped. Your angle is important and also only using the pressure from just razor head weight. Nivea balm aftershave got me through those first months. What blades are you using? How many passes?

Hi Jonathan,

I am also fairly new at this compared to some of the old hands here, just about 4 months. I have found that the prep is very important getting the beard soft with hot water and a pre shave cream like Proraso or Prep cream, using short strokes on the razor and no pressure, we all get cuts/niks from time to time. Choice of blade for example, Feathers are to harsh for me to use all the time but Derby and 7 O'clock are good for me. Watch a few of GEO FATBOYS video's at shavenation.com they are very good, and take your time in the early days. As you get better this will become a real joy I will never go back to the cartridges. If you need more help pm me happy to help mate.

Try different razor blades.
Maybe a different razor. I use a slant.
Apply lighter touch and let the blade do its work.
Beard reduction. You may have to do more than 3 passes.
Hot steaming shower. Shave in the shower, or keep your face wet when you get out.
Face conditioning. My theory is the skin and hair becomes irritated, and after a while it gets used to it.

Hi there,
Well done joining the world of DE shaving if you are getting irritation on the neck I'm betting you've not sorted out which way your beard grows. The neck is usually a mess of different directions and you need to be sure of how yours grows to apply the WTG, XTG, ATG principle.
There are several ways to establish beard direction, leave your beard for a couple of days then either scrape a credit card over your face, the sound will let you know beard direction, or rub cotton wool over your beard. Where it sticks the most will be ATG.
If you need more help as others have offered PM me.