Facial Hair: Does this Happen to You?

[furo]

Originally Posted by Bakerloo Line

This is called pili multigemini - do a Google search on it.

Interesting. This is frequently what it looks like if I'm able to seperate the hairs (wiki photo):

 

[furo]

What I find interesting is that the websites describe this as a "rare disease" yet here we are and many forum members describe the condition.

So I'm guessing it is much more common than indicated.

 

[tsaltzma]

Originally Posted by Tck13

I don't understand some of the advice in this thread. Electric razors don't shave as close as blades and blades make one more susceptible to ingrown hairs because of how close they shave.

This is only true with multiple blade razors. The blades on a multiblade razor grab the hair, each one progressively pulling the hair out a little bit further, until the last chops it off. The problem with this is that once it is cut, it recedes back underneath the skin. For curly haired fellows like myself, this presents a major problem.

Electrics pose a similar problem. They basically compress the skin in order to expose more of the hair, prior to cutting. Once again, the hair recedes back underneath the skin. I know many people that use electrics with no problem. If you have curly hair though, good luck.

With a straight blade or safety razor, there is no pulling. You are cutting the hair that is exposed above the surface. With proper lubrication, and exfoliation, you can get the best possible shave, all with no irritation.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by tsaltzma

This is only true with multiple blade razors. The blades on a multiblade razor grab the hair, each one progressively pulling the hair out a little bit further, until the last chops it off. The problem with this is that once it is cut, it recedes back underneath the skin. For curly haired fellows like myself, this presents a major problem.
Any razor removes the top layer of skin, not just multiple blade razors.

Originally Posted by tsaltzma

Electrics pose a similar problem. They basically compress the skin in order to expose more of the hair, prior to cutting. Once again, the hair recedes back underneath the skin. I know many people that use electrics with no problem. If you have curly hair though, good luck.
I agree that the shape of the follicles can contribute to ingrown hairs (African Americans have much more problems typically with ingrown hairs than Caucasians for example) but one shouldn't be compressing the skin whether using an electric or regular razor. Stretching possibly, but not compressing or pushing on the skin to shave. Also, I have curly hair and I'm susceptible to ingrown hairs which is why I switched to an electric. It doesn't shave as close as a razor so the hairs don't end up as short as with a razor.

Originally Posted by tsaltzma

With a straight blade or safety razor, there is no pulling. You are cutting the hair that is exposed above the surface. With proper lubrication, and exfoliation, you can get the best possible shave, all with no irritation.
I agree with what your saying about lubrication and preparation, however the razor get right up against the skin. The cutters of an electric have a foil between them and the skin. It just seems obvious to me that one gets a closer shave with a razor and a closer shave begets more of a chance of ingrown hairs. If you're saying the "best possible shave" meaning a closer shave then we're saying the same thing. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[hastur]

Yeah I get these. You really have to catch them before they're there for too long, otherwise every once in awhile they can cause the same kind of issues an ingrown hair can (raised red/painful bump similar to a zit/pimple). They seem to just come right out too, no pain or anything like pulling a regular hair.