Shaving question: products to deal with moderate to severe razor burn??

Double Down · 02-28-06, 01:08 PM

My skin is pretty sensitive and I have a tendency to get moderate to severe razor burn on my neck almost every morning after shaving.

I have tried the eShave after-shave cream with shea butter and the Jack Black razor defense cream (both of which I was told are amazing), and neither really helped.

I was at Nordstom's this weekend and a sales rep told me that Body Tools Repair & Protect cream is fantastic, but it's very expensive. Body Tools is apparently a Los Angeles-based company and only sells through a limited number of stores. I tried looking online for reviews, but can't find any other than the "testimonials" on the Body Tools website.

Anyway, does anybody here suffer from this problem and, if so, have you found any products that really help?

Me and my neck thank you.

Richard Malloy · 02-28-06, 01:26 PM

After-shave can help, but at that point the damage is done. I've found that normal shaving cream - even the "special" kind for heavy beards/tender skin - doesn't work as well as a really slippery soap. I like Cetaphyl.

The only real relief I've found is by, first, taking a hot shower and letting the water "soften" up the beard, use Cetaphyl soap instead of shaving cream, always use a really sharp razor (more than three shaves on one blade I've found is too much).

heimerSWT · 02-28-06, 01:26 PM

I was a sufferer of razor burn for a long time, and all kinds of different lotions and balms were useless to me. I've finally found a way to control it, and it is kind of a regimen I use.

The first thing is that I use an electric razor. My neck hair grows in several different directions. I wish I could use a "real" razor blade, but I haven't gotten the patience yet to try and allow my skin to get used to a new type of shave.

This is what I do, and it works for me:
Shave immediately after a shower. I use body wash/soap, and lather it up and leave it on my neck for at least a minute. I rinse, and wash my neck again.

After drying, I shave with the electric razor. Immediately after, I use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and apply it over the entire shaved area. After the alcohol dries, I use Neutrogena Razor Defense after shave Lotion.

Since I started the alcohol/Neutrogena lotion combo, I've been VERY happy with the lack of razor burn and bumps.

Matt925 · 02-28-06, 01:46 PM

I have sensitive skin as well. I shave immediately following my shower, use gillette shaving gel which I really like, and for my neck I have to shave "upwards" going with the grain. And for my mustache I have to shave downwards. Doesn't provide the closest possible shave, but I don't get razor burn when I do it.

Shazam · 02-28-06, 02:05 PM

Try using shaving oil. You should be able to find it at Target. I can't use shaving cream at all anymore.

twikoff · 02-28-06, 02:11 PM

have you tried shaving with butter?

al_bundy · 02-28-06, 02:25 PM

haven't used after shave in years

I wash my face with some shaving soap. I'm using Mary Kay Cosmetics for men right now. But you can find a good one at Nordstrom.

Wash face, dry and then shave. Apply a good amount of shaving cream. I think that washing is key since it makes the hairs stand up.

HN · 02-28-06, 02:36 PM

have you tried shaving in the shower? it's the smoothest shave i can get. i can do it without a mirror now, but i'm vietnamese so it might be easier for me.

Palaver · 02-28-06, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt925

I have sensitive skin as well. I shave immediately following my shower, use gillette shaving gel which I really like, and for my neck I have to shave "upwards" going with the grain. And for my mustache I have to shave downwards. Doesn't provide the closest possible shave, but I don't get razor burn when I do it.

My exact same routine.

twikoff · 02-28-06, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HN

have you tried shaving in the shower? it's the smoothest shave i can get. i can do it without a mirror now, but i'm vietnamese so it might be easier for me.

the hair on my face grows extremely fast, and I shave in the shower.. very smooth and no irritation.. i refuse to shave outside of the shower anymore

digitalfreaknyc · 02-28-06, 03:24 PM

TEND SKIN

How many of these threads do we need to have? Seems like it comes up constantly.

Nick Danger · 02-28-06, 03:25 PM

Try changing your razor. Different blades give me different results. Rinse your face in hot water, but keep the blade cold. Shave with the grain. Really soak your face.

I also shave in the shower. Now, when I shave in front of a mirror, I get confused.

Giantrobo · 03-01-06, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNi

can do it without a mirror now, but i'm vietnamese so it might be easier for me.

WTF?!?!

Fincher Fan · 03-01-06, 03:52 AM

Just let it grow like a wildman.

tbone · 03-01-06, 09:13 AM

I also shave in the shower and it's the best shave I have ever gotten. Here's my routine: First, I wash my face. Then I slap on some shaving cream and shave with the grain. Next I apply a shaving gel and shave against the grain. Gets my face smooth as a baby's butt.

Geofferson · 03-01-06, 09:25 AM

2 things that helped me battle razor burn:

1) the razor - I recently switched to a safety razor (Merkur) and haven't looked back
2) pre-shave oil - I apply Zirh pre-shave oil to my neck and let sit for one minute before I apply shave soap.

Giantrobo · 03-01-06, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc

TEND SKIN

I know people who swear by this stuff. Frankly, I'm not sure it workd on me.

naitram · 03-01-06, 11:42 PM

If you don't mind spending about $15 to get your face back, then go to one of those fancy cosmetic sections at a department store, and get the Clinique after shave lotion stuff. I don't remember what it's called exactly, but the ladies there will know. I used it for about a year, and my razor burn and bumps went away.

Now I go cheaper and use Nivia after shave lotion. It's ok if you're face isn't already in bad shape, but doesn't soothe quite as nice as Clinique. Hope that helps.

Forum Troll · 03-02-06, 04:56 AM

I use Carmex on my razor burn. Works better than anything else I've tried.

das Monkey · 03-09-06, 09:23 AM

Some guys at work were talking about this today: Solution 2. It looks like it's essentially Tend Skin with a rollerball applicator and a minty smell. I don't know if either of these products work, but it's worth looking into if you're still searching.

das

al_bundy · 03-09-06, 09:38 AM

Anyone try the Fusion yet? My Mach3 was getting old and rusty so I bought a Fusion last week. No complaints so far.

02-28-06, 01:08 PM	#1
Double Down Senior Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Los Angeles, Ca., USA Posts: 623	Shaving question: products to deal with moderate to severe razor burn?? My skin is pretty sensitive and I have a tendency to get moderate to severe razor burn on my neck almost every morning after shaving. I have tried the eShave after-shave cream with shea butter and the Jack Black razor defense cream (both of which I was told are amazing), and neither really helped. I was at Nordstom's this weekend and a sales rep told me that Body Tools Repair & Protect cream is fantastic, but it's very expensive. Body Tools is apparently a Los Angeles-based company and only sells through a limited number of stores. I tried looking online for reviews, but can't find any other than the "testimonials" on the Body Tools website. Anyway, does anybody here suffer from this problem and, if so, have you found any products that really help? Me and my neck thank you.

02-28-06, 01:26 PM	#3
heimerSWT Moderator Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 6,642	I was a sufferer of razor burn for a long time, and all kinds of different lotions and balms were useless to me. I've finally found a way to control it, and it is kind of a regimen I use. The first thing is that I use an electric razor. My neck hair grows in several different directions. I wish I could use a "real" razor blade, but I haven't gotten the patience yet to try and allow my skin to get used to a new type of shave. This is what I do, and it works for me: Shave immediately after a shower. I use body wash/soap, and lather it up and leave it on my neck for at least a minute. I rinse, and wash my neck again. After drying, I shave with the electric razor. Immediately after, I use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and apply it over the entire shaved area. After the alcohol dries, I use Neutrogena Razor Defense after shave Lotion. Since I started the alcohol/Neutrogena lotion combo, I've been VERY happy with the lack of razor burn and bumps. __________________ Veni, vidi, velcro. I came, I saw, I stuck around. twitter \| last.fm

02-28-06, 02:11 PM	#6
twikoff DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Right Behind You!!! Posts: 79,337	have you tried shaving with butter? __________________ Do you live in Idaho or Wyoming? If so, its time to Check In!

02-28-06, 03:25 PM	#12
Nick Danger DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 14,443	Try changing your razor. Different blades give me different results. Rinse your face in hot water, but keep the blade cold. Shave with the grain. Really soak your face. I also shave in the shower. Now, when I shave in front of a mirror, I get confused. __________________ Originally Posted by TallGuyMe: hoorah for Nick!

03-01-06, 03:52 AM	#14
Fincher Fan DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rampaging across DVDTalk. Posts: 4,046	Just let it grow like a wildman. __________________ *"You couldn't molest the audience more than to promise Legends of the Fall* and Driving Miss Daisy then to unleash this on them. They'd just been gang-raped."** - Director David Fincher on the test screenings of Seven.

02-28-06, 01:26 PM	#2
Richard Malloy DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,428	After-shave can help, but at that point the damage is done. I've found that normal shaving cream - even the "special" kind for heavy beards/tender skin - doesn't work as well as a really slippery soap. I like Cetaphyl. The only real relief I've found is by, first, taking a hot shower and letting the water "soften" up the beard, use Cetaphyl soap instead of shaving cream, always use a really sharp razor (more than three shaves on one blade I've found is too much).

02-28-06, 01:46 PM	#4
Matt925 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,157	I have sensitive skin as well. I shave immediately following my shower, use gillette shaving gel which I really like, and for my neck I have to shave "upwards" going with the grain. And for my mustache I have to shave downwards. Doesn't provide the closest possible shave, but I don't get razor burn when I do it.

02-28-06, 02:05 PM	#5
Shazam DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Canuckistan Posts: 7,830	Try using shaving oil. You should be able to find it at Target. I can't use shaving cream at all anymore.

02-28-06, 02:25 PM	#7
al_bundy DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: in da cloud Posts: 26,196	haven't used after shave in years I wash my face with some shaving soap. I'm using Mary Kay Cosmetics for men right now. But you can find a good one at Nordstrom. Wash face, dry and then shave. Apply a good amount of shaving cream. I think that washing is key since it makes the hairs stand up.

02-28-06, 02:36 PM	#8
HN DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,972	have you tried shaving in the shower? it's the smoothest shave i can get. i can do it without a mirror now, but i'm vietnamese so it might be easier for me.

02-28-06, 03:24 PM	#11
digitalfreaknyc Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 15,957	TEND SKIN How many of these threads do we need to have? Seems like it comes up constantly.

03-01-06, 09:13 AM	#15
tbone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Somewhere over there Posts: 575	I also shave in the shower and it's the best shave I have ever gotten. Here's my routine: First, I wash my face. Then I slap on some shaving cream and shave with the grain. Next I apply a shaving gel and shave against the grain. Gets my face smooth as a baby's butt.

03-01-06, 09:25 AM	#16
Geofferson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: TechNoir Posts: 36,438	2 things that helped me battle razor burn: 1) the razor - I recently switched to a safety razor (Merkur) and haven't looked back 2) pre-shave oil - I apply Zirh pre-shave oil to my neck and let sit for one minute before I apply shave soap.

03-01-06, 11:42 PM	#18
naitram DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Update: DEAD Posts: 2,641	If you don't mind spending about $15 to get your face back, then go to one of those fancy cosmetic sections at a department store, and get the Clinique after shave lotion stuff. I don't remember what it's called exactly, but the ladies there will know. I used it for about a year, and my razor burn and bumps went away. Now I go cheaper and use Nivia after shave lotion. It's ok if you're face isn't already in bad shape, but doesn't soothe quite as nice as Clinique. Hope that helps.

03-02-06, 04:56 AM	#19
Forum Troll Suspended Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 1,071	=o I use Carmex on my razor burn. Works better than anything else I've tried.

03-09-06, 09:23 AM	#20
das Monkey DVD Talk Hero Join Date: May 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 35,881	Some guys at work were talking about this today: Solution 2. It looks like it's essentially Tend Skin with a rollerball applicator and a minty smell. I don't know if either of these products work, but it's worth looking into if you're still searching. das __________________ DragonCon 2004 - 2005 - Lost in Hawaii - DVD Reviews You are not* entitled to your own opinion. You are only entitled to your own informed opinion.** -- Harlan Ellison quoting Gustave Flaubert

03-09-06, 09:38 AM	#21
al_bundy DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: in da cloud Posts: 26,196	Anyone try the Fusion yet? My Mach3 was getting old and rusty so I bought a Fusion last week. No complaints so far.