Thread: Razor burn. How long to wait until next shave?

Just wanted to say hello and tell everyone how much I like this site!

This last Sunday was my first attempt at a straight razor shave. I got a new, expert honed Dovo from SRD, read as much as I could absorb from this site in the last month or so, and took my first attempt (after doing all the proper beard prep, etc).

Well, things did not go as well as I had planned. I attempted to do too much on my first try. Did my cheeks first, but not too well. Didn't remove much hair. Proceeded to do my neck and chin with the same results. Ended up going over things a few times only to make things worse and ended up with a few good nicks (nothing too serious) and some good razor burn.

I'm not dismayed though. I'm going to learn to do this. I'm looking forward to another attempt, but don't know how long I should wait. My skin is still quite red in parts, but doesn't hurt too much.

Any advice on how long to wait before giving it another go with the straight? Should I shave with my old fusion until my skin fully heals?

If I wait a few more days then decide to go ahead and just do small parts with the straight (like my cheeks), should I be concerned with the several days worth of beard growth I'll have? I'm wondering if I should shave my old way with the fusion next time, then a day later, try the straight again when there's less growth.

I think my main problem with this first shave was from wanting to do too much on the first try, too much pressure on the blade, and not a very good angle. Also, I have to admit I was REALLY nervous. I kept thinking I was going to cut myself. I think the nicks I got were mostly from hesitating after touching razor to skin. It wasn't a smooth motion (with confidence) like I have with the old disposables I've used my whole life.

Thanks a lot!

First of all, welcome.

Second, this is all pretty normal. I did the same thing.

How long to let it heal really depends a lot on you. I didn't take a day off for healing until my 7th day, because by the time I realized I needed a day off from shaving, I was in the middle of my work week and wanted to wait until my weekend. Even then, I only took 1 day off. But, I heal pretty fast.

As for shaving with your old fusion, I wouldn't. I'd just wait until you have a day or two off, and give your face a break then YMMV.


What I'm more concerned about is getting you a comfortable shave. You'll see it said again and again to new straight shavers on these forums: worry about comfortable at first, and not closeness. Closeness will come with experience.

The 3 biggest causes of bad razor burn in newbies seem to be:

1. Bad prep. Always shave after a shower or at a minimum, a good face washing with very hot water. Some guys will sit with a hot towel on their face like at the barber (excessive if you ask me). Then, use good quality shave soap or creme. Do NOT try to use anything out of a can.

2. Bad angle. If your angle is too flat, you'll have a very comfortable shave, that doesn't remove any hair at all. If your angle is too steep, you'll have a shave that is very clean, but bloody. The goal is to find that happy medium. For me, and this may or may not work for you, I start out way too flat, and slowly increase the angle until it sounds more like sandpaper than shaving, and then back off to the point that it sounds like shaving again. That heavy sandpaper sound is not good. It means too steep, so I stay 'just' on the shallow side of that sound.

3. Too much pressure. If you do good prep, and keep a good angle with a nice sharp blade, you really don't need much pressure at all. However, worse your prep, angle and edge, the more pressure it takes to get the job done. However, the more pressure you use, the more you chew up your face.

I will also add that in the very beginning that you should concentrate on good proper stropping technique. Again, go slow at first to make sure you're stropping correctly, and the speed will come with practice. If you do a sloppy job at stropping, or worse roll your edge, it will guarantee a very uncomfortable and irritated shave. Take it easy, relax, steady your hand and enjoy. Good luck.

By all means wait until the irritation has passed before the next attempt. There is no practical reason to go around with your face on fire.

defintily wait until the irritation passes
i agree with the making sure to use hot water, at the barbers that do hot-toweled, it feels way smoother

the soaking in hot towel may be excessive, but is really quite relaxing and i think really adds to a shave.
just dampen a rag and throw it in the microwave for a 30 seconds or so, test, and make a horse shoe around your nose, let sit Just til rag cools
oh, and also make sure to usea good moisturizing soap for the face in ur shower, if your shaving dry skin, theres no way not to get razor burn

If you can, you shouldn't shave until it clears up. Everyone is probably a little different as far as how long it takes to heal up, but for me, it's ideally at least 48 hours off, although depending on the severity I can get by with only 24 hours off.

If you must shave (for your job or whatever) try an extra light and easy WTG ONLY pass. I've found that this works for me. It will take a bit longer to heal this way, but at least you look relatively clean shaven. For me, it generally will take around 3 days of this before I'm nearly healed.

It all depends on how you feel. If your face seems healed and ready for another try, go for it. There is no science to that, just what you feel.

You can go back to your old shaving system if it's required for work with no problem. It's better to not shave at all though.
Make sure you're keeping the strokes light.
Use witch hazel after the shave & moisturise with vitamin E oil. It'll take the burn away & let you heal faster. Seriously, do it!

Originally Posted by The0ctopus

oh, and also make sure to usea good moisturizing soap for the face in ur shower, if your shaving dry skin, theres no way not to get razor burn

i don't use any kind of moisturizer and I'm clear of razor burn. maybe it's because i have olive oil in my bloodstream?

Thanks to everyone for their advice!

Today, after taking a bit over 48 hours off to let my skin recover, I shaved again with MUCH better success. Used a lighter touch this time, smaller angle too. I did my cheeks from the side burns down to below my jaw. Very smooth and comfortable.

I tried to do my neck, but wasn't comfortable with my technique there yet, so didn't push it. The rest of my face: neck, chin and upper lip I used my old razor - doing this in baby steps.

Afterward, when I used an aftershave, the only place that stung from the aftershave's alcohol was the areas that I used my old fusion on! The parts I used my straight razor on were smooth and pain free. No razor burn at all. =)

I'm going to keep going like this now, adding in more parts of the face as I get accustomed and used to the straight razor. I'm hopeful its all going to just keep getting better from here on.