Shaving (faces)

[BetsyLou]

Hi

My other half has serious shaving problems. His skin gets all rashy and horrible, especially on his neck, he gets ingrowing hairs, all that sort of stuff. It's not very nice. Any idea a) what sort of product might be able to help, and b) how i can persuade him that using producta is not bad or wrong? It's so ridiculous. He's not some macho moron, but when it comes to using products on his face, he's gone all caveman on me! Anyone would think i was trying to get him to wear eyeshadow or something..

Cheers, B

[kayakamina]

I alternate. One week electric razor the next a shaving gel for sensitive skin and a mild aftershave as i have found that i get rashes from strong products.

As i do not have a dark beard i sometimes shave at night to let my skin recover overnight. I also apply a moisteriser and it certainly is not being a caveman totake care of your skin!

[kick3m0n]

my other hal;f is similarly afflicted, but gets roudn teh problem now by only hshaving once every 4 or 5 days. He's got a heavy growth and black hair so he looks a bit scruffy in between shaves, but I kind of like it (my bot of rough!!). One thing he used to do (when he had a job that really did require a more clean shaven look) was use some hair conditioner on his beard/stubble before shaving (apply a little all over, wait a few mins, then rinse and apply shaving foam as normal). It softens the hairs and makes the razor slide over much easier. this means less scraping etc on the skin, which is what leads to the shaving rash you describe. Works like a charm, costs very little (he just used my conditioner) and if you want a really quick shave, you can even just use conditioner instead of foam. Good luck!!

[kick3m0n]

sorry, "bit" of rough!!

[mrbubbles]

checkout www.mankind.co.uk - they sell a product called Tend Skin (my hubby read about it in GQ ages ago) he went through a period of having sore ingrowing hairs and used this every night - he hasn't had to use it for ages and it really did the trick - he just rubbed it on with cotton wool - dead easy (and he tried loads of products before that did nothing to help) hope it helps!

[BetsyLou]

Thank-you! I'll get him to try out the Tend Skin (though it's a bit pricey, i'll have to buy it for him, no doubt..). He uses an electric razor - do these cause more probelems than wet shaving, do you know? Hmm. Thanks all!

B

[andy-hughes]

My skin is so wimpy i get a heat rash in a hot bath, so i do understand!

What your BF needs to do is minimise the damage.

He should -

Soak a flannel in water as hot as his hands and face can stand it, and hold it over his cheeks and cin, pressing it on firmly. Only for a few seconds, it cools quickly, so rinse the f;annel and repeat - he will need to hold his breath as the flannel wil cover his nose and mouth.

Apply aloe shaving foam - Gillette Sensitive is good, and masage it well in, taking time to cover all growth areas. Use a triple-blade razor, and only shave downwards, using slow smooth strokes and rinsing frequently. Do not shave 'up', this will guarentee a rash and cuts. Shave slowly and carefully, do not rush.

After shaving is complete, use the flannel soaked in cold water and hold it over the face, pressing on, and holding for about 15 - 20 seconds. Pat the face dry, and apply a thin layer of moisturiser - hyoalergenic and unscented.

Shaving should be done last thing at night where possible, he can then put aftershave or cologne on in the morning when he has washed his face.

From now on, all that macho scrubbing must stop, he needs to use moisturising soap and only ever pat his face dry.

After a couple of weeks, he will feel, and see the difference.

[BetsyLou]

Wow, thanks andy, very thorough there!

I despair at ever getting him to beleive that moisturiser is good, but i'll try to convince him.. :)

[BetsyLou]

PS, i know the conditioner thing is good, kick3m0n, i use it myself on my legs sometimes, if i run out of proper stuff. Though i hope my leg hair's not as spikey as man beard...

[kick3m0n]

LOL Betsy!!! xx

[stoo_pid]

I have a similar problem, & I'd agree with everything Andy - suggested especially the advice to use a triple blade razor (I found the Gillette Mach 3 razors made a HUGE difference). All I would add to that is I've found the King of Shaves range of gels & oils really help. Neither the Gillette razors nor the KoS ranges are particularly cheap but I wouldn't say they were prohibitvely expensive & in my opinion, worth every single penny. You can get free samples of the KoS stuff here

[BetsyLou]

Thanks for the tip about King of Shaves, i've actually ordered myself a pack as.. well, i'm feeling selfish. But if it's any good i'll recommend it to the boyf.

Re: TendSkin, it's a wee bit cheaper at www.hqhair.com than at the mankind site previously recommended. :)

Ta everyone!