Facial hair/Ingrown hairs

One of the causes of ingrown hairs is shaving too close (razor shaving). For me, because I have sensitive skin and I'm susceptible to ingrown hairs, I use an electric razor which doesn't shave as close (doesn't remove a layer of skin) as a regular razor. Of course, after I post this there will be a million different opinions about what I've said so maybe some of your own experimentation is in order. If you are going to use a razor, you should probably go with the best you can get (something like a Merkur and use a brush and bowl to mix and apply the shaving cream) and look into the proper way of using it (Link to great instruction on Youtube). You'll get the best results with good products. Or, as I said earlier, not shaving as close will prevent ingrown hairs and maybe you want to try an electric. I've used Braun for years and it works great. I get virtually no rash and rarely do I have any ingrown hairs.

I used to get ingrown hairs all the time. I've found that this product works well for me:

http://www.menessentials.com/oxid.ph...ump-Treatment/


Also, I use a merkur safety razor and shave in the shower. I rarely get ingrowns now.

That product would appear to have an exfoliant effect, which is key. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exfoliation_(cosmetology)
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are some other exfoliants. In most cases, it's safer to exfoliate at night, because the process can increase sun sensitivity. Shave after showering, of course.

I swear by this stuff now: http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos6...=80029&group=5

Smells great too.

+1 on the Art of Shaving Night Cream. I might recommend switching to a different razor than the multiblade guillotines available. They cut too close, not giving curly hair the chance to grow out away from the skin. I use a twin disposable, but I'm considering going to single-blade safety razor.

I've often heard that ingrowns are caused by shaving "too close", so do "healthy shaving habits" require that one be willing to accept some amount of stubble? Or is there some magical middle ground between perceptible stubble and "too close" -- where you can't feel or see it, but your scalp is undamaged and the hairs aren't below skin surface? I can't stand stubble, so I always end up erring on the side of too close.

For most people, yes, there is a trade-off between ingrown hairs and the closeness of the shave. For instance, you can shave with the grain and then against the grain, but for a lot of people going against the grain cuts too close and you will get ingrown hairs (like myself) even though the closeness is much better. You'll also typically get more irritation during and right after the shave. This is also a main criticism of modern multi-blade razors, that they pull the hair up and chop it off so it goes below the surface, which can cause an ingrown hair or razor bump when it grows back in on itself. I personally stopped going against the grain and my skin is much less irritated and I have no more razor bumps/ingrown hairs, despite have slightly more stubble in certain spots. The idea (for me) is to get the closest hassle-free shave I can without any irritation or blemishes. A lot of people subscribe to the method of going with, and then across (perpendicular to) the grain in an effort to get a closer shave without getting ingrown hairs or razor burn, or at least making two passes with the grain (my method). For me, what works best and is most convenient is using a traditional badger brush and high-end English cream or soap with a Fusion Power razor. I know proponents of DEs hate on them a lot but I've tried both and the Fusion (and the Mach 3 power before it) give me a closer, quicker shave with similar levels of irritation, and while the "Power" feature gets a lot of flack as a gimmick, for me, it keeps the blade from catching on my thick wiry stubble and reduces friction overall. I'm not sure if the shave is any closer with it, but it seems to glide over my skin easier.

I'll agree on this. I'd much rather have a little five o'clock shadow than large, unsightly red bumps on my face.

Thanks for the replies -- I thought I may have been missing out on some technique that provides smoothness without the potential downside. I don't really notice facial stubble that much, but I'm a head shaver and I hate to see and feel it up there on occasions when I'm trying to maximize a neat and professional look -- may learn to live with it, though.

I'm a straight razor shaver, and therefore a bit obsessive about getting the close shave. The above answers are good, I'll only add a few thoughts: 1. Lubrication is really key to avoid skin irritation. You can get some fancy pre-shave oil, or do what I do, and just rub a dab of olive oil all over before soaping up. 2. Perpendicular to the grain is good, but you can also try going at a little less than a 90-degree angle. This really minimizes the chance of catching the follicle against the grain. It's also really helpful if you tug back on the skin with your free hand just behind where you're pulling with the blade. Along with this, you want to make sure the muscle in the area you're shaving is relaxed. If you can relax the muscle, and kind of yank back on the skin, it really helps pull the hair out of the follicle and make it easier to cut close. 3. Don't overdo it. My rule is that if, after two attempts in a given pass, I can't get any closer, then I stop. The more you scrape at a given area, the more likely it is to get chewed up. 4. I shave in two passes: once, with cream/soap, then a second time after slapping hot water over it, just to get any trouble/stubbly spots. 5. Make sure you rinse with cold water. The colder the better. You can also use an astringent like witch hazel (alcohol will dry out your skin). Cold water makes your follicles close up really quickly, and this prevents irritants from clogging your follicles and making them get irritated and break out into rashes/lumps. Hope this helps.

Most of the "technique" that's bandied about is about prep, which probably won't give you a closer shave unless you're doing something horribly wrong now, but it will make taking the hair off easier and lessen the irritation. The whole brush and cream/soap lathering process can be a relaxing morning ritual, as well. Another major advantage of DEs---the razors are dramatically cheaper. So if you can get the same shave, it may be worth it to some for that reason alone. But they certainly aren't as forgiving of mistakes.

I'm going to offer my two cents as this has been an issue I have battled my entire adult life.

I have very thick facial hair and without fail, shaving with a blade used to cause me to breakout in red bumps due to ingrown hairs, all over my neck. Regardless of technique, hardware, or product, the issue persisted. I tried everything and while the issue improved with better technique and superior hardware and product, it still lingered.

For a while, I gave up shaving and resorted to maintaining "designer stubble" by way of a high-end beard trimmer. Still, I missed the look of a freshly-shaved face.

I had nearly resigned to the idea of laser hair removal when I borrowed my little brother's Braun electric foil shaver. I hadn't used an electric in eons and was skeptical, but in a rush and had no other means. The shave was decent and I suffered no irritation. I was intrigued.

A little while later, I purchased Braun's latest electric foil shaver, the Pulsonic! Braun make all manner of claims about it being the best shave on the planet... blah, blah, blah. The first few shaves were lackluster, but after one month my technique has improved and my skin has fully adjusted to the shaver.

I suffer from no irritation and I actually look forward to shaving.

I suggest you look into an electric razor and give it a month to see if it works for you.

I've tried the wet shaving, the special creams and soaps, diffrent razors. The only thing that seems to do an no irritation job is an electric razer that doesn't cut to close so I still have stubble.