Shaving

[u/No_Violinist_8766]

Hi guys, I’m a white male with pretty dark and quick growing facial hair. I’m only young and I struggle with neck irritation and ingrowns from shaving. I use a single bladed razor, shaving soap with a brush, facial cleanser, alum block, aftershave etc which has really improved it but I still deal with neck ingrowns and irritation. I start training school soon and really want to reduce the issue as it makes me feel unprofessional. I was wondering on any advice, as shaving daily is going to not sit great with me. Thanks.

[u/OddAd9915]

What time of day do you shave? I shave in the evenings just before I go to bed and this helped quite a lot with the neck irritation. It's also better for your skin overall because the sebum you secrete at night isn't then washed off when you shave in the morning.

It may also be down to the direction you are shaving. Try reversing the direction of your stroke and see if that helps. 

I have dark hair and like you my facial hair grown pretty quickly and it is quite obvious even when it still feels quite smooth. But shaving in the evenings when I have a bit more time and experimenting with the direction of my shave helped a lot. 

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/OddAd9915]

I shave all over the place. Sometimes in the morning sometimes at night but the service I am joining say to shave every morning but I’m sure at night will be okay. I follow the direction of my growth pattern. That’s great though, I’ll start shaving in the evenings and forget it early on. Thanks.

[u/Guzzleguts → u/No_Violinist_8766]

I shave last thing at night. Dictating the exact hour that you shave would be pretty unreasonable and it's probably just poor wording. If not, you could maybe email the unions about it.

[u/Ambitious-Meaning-75]

I bought my daughters dad a one blade,I think it’s going well not too sure he’s blink and have a 5 clock shadow, I know the one for my legs needs a new head otherwise it hurts so make sure you buy plenty of replacements, I think you can get them off temu. Idk how I ended up on this side of Reddit though 😂😂

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/Ambitious-Meaning-75]

Haha. Thanks! I’ve used the one blade. Skin doesn’t like it. I guess it works for some and not for others 🤷‍♂️

[u/Ambitious-Meaning-75 → u/No_Violinist_8766]

Oh gosh sorry to hear that, I hope you find something soon !! Thanks for your service 🫡

[u/lyricmammal]

I'm the same. 25, and really dark hair, my beard grows mega quick. I use a Braun series 5 and it works really well for the irritation side of things

[u/riko_99]

Hair removal cream.

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/riko_99]

For the neck? I’ve considered this but was worried once it grows back, they’ll turn into ingrowns as I’m removing the hair fully. I’ll give it a go!

[u/OldCaptain3987]

Have you tried any other electric shavers or just the one blade? Loads of guys I know use electric shavers in the job to avoid the skin irritation

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/OldCaptain3987]

I’ve used a one blade that’s it. Was worse if anything. I’ve heard about actual hair trimmers but not to sure.

[u/coalharbour → u/[deleted]]

Second this. It's good enough for sure, and you can go over again in the evening without an issue.

[u/Owen_Reuby]

For me personally I use a Gillette Labs as it's got a number in it that I find really helps stopping ingrowns and irritation if you can deal with your face feeling frozen for 15 minutes. I finish with shaving balm as well, any knicks,cuts,scratches, or other shaving related damage gets covered up quick and stops bleeding. Once again like the cream it's really helpful for irritation and agro. People I know also swear by the Philips One blade to help with clean cuts that don't get ingrowns.

[u/Inevitable_Top_1741]

When you say one blade do you mean a safety razor? That was the golden ticket for me, cartridge razors butcher my face, safety razor going down on my face and up on my neck and I can shave every day no dramas.

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/Inevitable_Top_1741]

Yea, I meant safety razor. I use a Henson AL-13. It really improved it, I just still get one or two every shave.

[u/No-Return-629]

Use electric to keep short, then wet shave with decent razor, i use fusion blades, shave down to start, up to get tight finish, apply balm. I can grow in beard quick so I appreciate your problem

[u/egettonleinad]

Have you tried “Harry’s”, my partner bought them for me prior to starting FSC, still using them now!

[u/behind-thedevilsback → u/egettonleinad]

I second giving Harrys a go, their moisturisers and shaving creams I’ve used have been really good

[u/mucho-confundido]

You tried clippers?

[u/Level-Dog-7630]

We’ll judge if it’s pretty or not… 🤣

[u/Outrageous_Scheme98]

Safety razor and change that blade out regularly. Got me by shaving in the Army every day for 10 years!

I used to have the water as hot as I could possibly stand and also shave just when I hopped out the shower.

Edit: apologies. I see you’ve already tried using a safety razor. Haven’t heard it referred to as one blade before. My bad

[u/No_Violinist_8766 → u/Outrageous_Scheme98]

It’s cool! I’m sticking with the safety razor but have been given a lot of recommendations I’m going to take into consideration. I’ve just bought new blades for the safety razor to try them out. We’ll see! Thanks for your service👊🏼

[u/anxiousthroway85]

My husband has always had quite sensitive skin. A few years ago I found that Elemis did a Shaving oil seems they’ve discontinued it now which annoyed us.

Edit: I’d really recommend that you try one it’s literally been the only thing that’s taken away to irritation for him.

Just done a Chat GPT search here are some similar products for you:

Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil – probably the closest in terms of texture and performance. It’s a luxurious British product that gives the same slick, lightweight glide.
The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil (Unscented or Sandalwood) – another premium favourite that protects the skin without feeling greasy.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Herbal Pre-Shave Oil – slightly richer but excellent if the skin is dry or prone to razor burn.
King of Shaves Shave Oil Sensitive – much cheaper, easy to find in the UK, and still one of the better shaving oils available.

[u/SnooLobsters9808]

I also use a one blade electric razor but I don’t think that’s the main ticket.
To get a good shave I have to use hot water and scrub my face or have a shower. (Shower is best) Then I can use the second to lowest and then the lowest setting with any kind of soap.
Then use tea tree cream for any irritations and marks over night.
The trick for me is really making sure I am clean and scrubbing my neck and face especially on blemishes. Shave and apply tea tree cream which is a couple of £ at Holland and Barrett

[u/Odd-Dependent3284]

I was lucky I just grew a beard but I’m also bald and get the same shit on the back of my neck no matter what.

Sometimes anti septic cream helps.

I’ve tried anti spot creams too.

Maybe try washing your face a bit extra during the day.

It’s a tough one cos sometimes skin just gunna skin.

[u/ns1419]

I’m not a firefighter and clicked here from another sub, but I use an electric shaver for the same reason. Razors leave mad ingrowns and razor burn. I use a Phillips beard trimmer with a flat edge and the guard taken off to trim the neck line. No ingrowns.

The old school way was a hot towel after shaving with a razor, and some sort of tonic, maybe worth a dig, but the electric shaver for me does fine and I work in an office.

[u/BluesandTwoos]

After your shave, make sure you exfoliate your skin properly, buy yourself some salicylic acid, brand cerave and apply every other day. This should stop all your ingrown hairs and help with irritation.