Shaving zits!

[donjuanjovi]

Well I went back to school last week, and the program I am in requires me to shave every day. Usually I leave the scruff and only keep it trimmed very short but never clean shaven. Well I've been getting a red rash that looks like acne at the bottom of the hair line on my neck. I use an electric shaver because it's quick and I don't use cream.

Any suggestions? It looks like my neck is going through puberty.

 

[whistler]

You're almost definitely just drying your skin out (through razor irritation). I'd use a hand razor--with cream--and then use as few strokes as possible. If that doesn't quite do it, you might consider some kind of facial moisturizer after you shave.

 

[donjuanjovi]

Thanks,
Should I try use shaving cream with the electric or scrap it and use the blade?

 

[whistler]

Thanks,
Should I try use shaving cream with the electric or scrap it and use the blade?

Never used an electric. But I would try both. Or just try moisturizer after using your electric.

Basically, your skin is dry and irritated. You can either adjust the shaving to make it less abusive or you can use moisturizer to counteract the shaving.

If you use cream though, let it sit on your face for 2-3 minutes first. That will let it actually do its work (or so I hear).

 

[Docs]

Shower and then shave with cream, 3 blades...= nice smoothness...I find I'm not dry.
-Blinding words Shezz!

 

[Skilla_Staz]

You might also be getting ingrown hairs or whatever

Try shaving WITH the grain instead of against it.

What type of "program" requires you to shave every day?

 

[donjuanjovi]

What type of "program" requires you to shave every day?

Thanks for all the tips guys.

It's a pre-service firefighting program. When we use the burn tower or the smoke house we need a good seal on our SCBA face piece and any facial hair will cause it to leak. So they're pretty uptight about facial hair. If you show up with stubble they will tell you to go home and shave, even if we're doing classroom work that day! It sucks ass because I look like I'm 12 :cuss:

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

Try going to a striaght razor.
Inspired by Vulpine I finally did this. I always used to have red bumps (ingrown hairs and razor burn) on my neck no matter my shaving method. To get a decent shave I had to change my Mach 3 every other shave ($$$$EXPENSIVE$$$).

With a straight-edge my skin irritation is almost completely gone.
I've also become an addict of moisturizing. Moisturize immediatley out of the shower and several times daily. Use LOTS and take your time to rub it in.

 

[lynx]

What do you know? I just had a razor burn on the back of my head and neck. I use an electric razor to shave my head and neck, and I think I probably shaved to hard and too fast. You have to be gentle and you probably should avoid shaving for a few days till the razor burn heals. If you use an electric shaver, maybe you should use a pre-shave, non-drying lotion that can get your beard prepared for a shave. I used to use one but I got too lazy and stopped using it. Maybe that's why I got razor burn. I'm no expert, but I hope this helps to some degree. If you're still having problems with razor burns, I suggest you see a dermatologist and ask for recommendations on how to shave gently and what skin products to use.

 

[Scaramouche]

Dear Don Juan Jovi,
Even at my age I am plagued by Shaving induced irritations...I tried everything...In my case I have skin sensitive to oil and grease...First thing when I get up I wash my HANDS I used to use surgical alcohol,now I use a very little Shampoo for sensitive skins,I also wash my face and neck with this...For shaving I use Gillette throw aways,a shaving stick and an old fashioned shaving brush....The spray on shavers are full of grease and electric razors harbour germs...After use,always clean your razor and brush in Metholated Spirits....Beware of Soap it is made from Animal Fat..
Also after cooking over a frying pan clean your face.