Men: A Shaving Question

LemonCheesecak · 04-08-2009, 01:47 PM

The question is: do you shave against the grain? I find I have to otherwise I essentially remove no stubble. I've asked friends and they say they don't (although most of them use electric shavers).

My routine usually involves softening with a hot towel, then 3 stages of shaving with, across and against the grain. More recently this had led to a lot of irritation though and one very painful ingrown hair as I'm shaving every second day. I'm using a Gilette Fusion 4 bladed razor, for the record.

thejigsup · 04-08-2009, 01:53 PM

I don't know about men, but when I shave my legs I have to go with the grain or I get nasty red bumps. All the stubble seems to be gone when I do this. Maybe it's your razor?

vinceval · 04-08-2009, 01:58 PM

You almost have to on your face and neck. I go with the grain to get rid of what will go with that, and then against to get what won't.

DO NOT go against the grain on your chest, if you shave there. Also DO NOT shave your chest if you have goosebumps. Wait til they go away. Trust me. Do not learn these two lessons the hard way.

ghost69 · 04-08-2009, 01:59 PM

when i go out i shave against the grain for that smoothness. otherwise i shave with it to avoid that redness ingrown issue. i hate shaving to be honest. i usually do it twice a week. some girls love it when it's barely growing back and i look a bit rugged.

LemonCheesecak · 04-08-2009, 02:00 PM

Perhaps but its something I've always found over the years with various different razors.

I think my hair is generally quite abundant and coarse anyway, without going into detail, as other aspects of grooming can be quite time consuming and tedious. A possible reason?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinceval

DO NOT go against the grain on your chest, if you shave there. Also DO NOT shave your chest if you have goosebumps. Wait til they go away. Trust me. Do not learn these two lessons the hard way.

Haha I'm well aware of that, previous experience!

Tracer · 04-08-2009, 02:03 PM

I shave similar to you. I shave with the grain first then against or else it doesn't feel smooth. I don't shave as often as you do (I shave once or twice a week) but I also shave my head so my routine takes quite a while sometimes.

I used to have horrible razor bumps on my neck and the back of my head. But once I picked up an aftershave lotion designed for fighting burn, things practically disappeared. Just shave like normal, rinse off, dry off, then slather the lotion on and let air dry. Keep your face clean by washing it once or twice a day and you should be doing fine. (I like Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Post Shave)

ghost69 · 04-08-2009, 02:04 PM

for chest, i usually get it wet with warm/hot water, put a layer of lotion on, then some sensitive shaving gel then shave. seems to work really well.

EQD · 04-08-2009, 02:04 PM

going against the grain on areas like your face, underarms, and bikini area will improve the likelyhood of ingrown hairs. its a no no.

LemonCheesecak · 04-08-2009, 02:06 PM

My hair grows too fast, I don't think my skin has time to recover in between. I'm using a general light moisturising lotion on my face so I'll maybe try and find something more specific to razor burn.

It was just a point I was quite interested because I couldn't physically see how any of my friends get a close enough shave going only with the grain.

lostandhurt · 04-08-2009, 02:08 PM

I shave with the grain as I shave everyday for the most part. Try shaving in the shower with plenty of hot water and go with the grain. I shave with a 3 blade right after I get out of the shower. Just before I get out I run really hot water on my face. Against the grain does get closer but to many side affects and irritation for me.

Have you tried an electric razor? If you do you have to stick to it for a month or so for your skin to get used to it.

lost

04-08-2009, 01:47 PM	#1
LemonCheesecak Offline Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: United Kingdom Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 427	Men: A Shaving Question The question is: do you shave against the grain? I find I have to otherwise I essentially remove no stubble. I've asked friends and they say they don't (although most of them use electric shavers). My routine usually involves softening with a hot towel, then 3 stages of shaving with, across and against the grain. More recently this had led to a lot of irritation though and one very painful ingrown hair as I'm shaving every second day. I'm using a Gilette Fusion 4 bladed razor, for the record. __________________ Illusions, Dad! You don't have time for my illusions! I'm not above electroshock therapy or a full lobotomy to find an appropriate suitor - paintedfish

04-08-2009, 01:59 PM	#4
ghost69 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Desert Gender: Male Posts: 33,434	when i go out i shave against the grain for that smoothness. otherwise i shave with it to avoid that redness ingrown issue. i hate shaving to be honest. i usually do it twice a week. some girls love it when it's barely growing back and i look a bit rugged. __________________ Not only am I friendly, but I'm invisible too. Too perfect of a relationship is too weird-g69 If you say you are normal, I'd think you are weird-g69 The world can only get better, it depends on how you look at it-g69 'As wicked as you are, you're beautiful to me'-5fingerdeathpunch you cannot control the world, you can only live in it the best you can for you-g69 NooOoOoooOOoOoOoooooo

04-08-2009, 02:04 PM	#7
ghost69 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Desert Gender: Male Posts: 33,434	for chest, i usually get it wet with warm/hot water, put a layer of lotion on, then some sensitive shaving gel then shave. seems to work really well. __________________ Not only am I friendly, but I'm invisible too. Too perfect of a relationship is too weird-g69 If you say you are normal, I'd think you are weird-g69 The world can only get better, it depends on how you look at it-g69 'As wicked as you are, you're beautiful to me'-5fingerdeathpunch you cannot control the world, you can only live in it the best you can for you-g69 NooOoOoooOOoOoOoooooo

04-08-2009, 02:04 PM	#8
EQD Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 5,972	going against the grain on areas like your face, underarms, and bikini area will improve the likelyhood of ingrown hairs. its a no no. __________________ http://sumitsays.com/2009/05/29/in-your-headlights/

04-08-2009, 02:06 PM	#9
LemonCheesecak Offline Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: United Kingdom Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 427	My hair grows too fast, I don't think my skin has time to recover in between. I'm using a general light moisturising lotion on my face so I'll maybe try and find something more specific to razor burn. It was just a point I was quite interested because I couldn't physically see how any of my friends get a close enough shave going only with the grain. __________________ Illusions, Dad! You don't have time for my illusions! I'm not above electroshock therapy or a full lobotomy to find an appropriate suitor - paintedfish

04-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#2
thejigsup Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Gender: Female Age: 53 Posts: 4,127	I don't know about men, but when I shave my legs I have to go with the grain or I get nasty red bumps. All the stubble seems to be gone when I do this. Maybe it's your razor?

04-08-2009, 01:58 PM	#3
vinceval Offline Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GA Gender: Male Posts: 341	You almost have to on your face and neck. I go with the grain to get rid of what will go with that, and then against to get what won't. DO NOT go against the grain on your chest, if you shave there. Also DO NOT shave your chest if you have goosebumps. Wait til they go away. Trust me. Do not learn these two lessons the hard way.

04-08-2009, 02:03 PM	#6
Tracer Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Shore Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 27	I shave similar to you. I shave with the grain first then against or else it doesn't feel smooth. I don't shave as often as you do (I shave once or twice a week) but I also shave my head so my routine takes quite a while sometimes. I used to have horrible razor bumps on my neck and the back of my head. But once I picked up an aftershave lotion designed for fighting burn, things practically disappeared. Just shave like normal, rinse off, dry off, then slather the lotion on and let air dry. Keep your face clean by washing it once or twice a day and you should be doing fine. (I like Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Post Shave)

04-08-2009, 02:08 PM	#10
lostandhurt Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Gender: Male Age: 45 Posts: 2,151	I shave with the grain as I shave everyday for the most part. Try shaving in the shower with plenty of hot water and go with the grain. I shave with a 3 blade right after I get out of the shower. Just before I get out I run really hot water on my face. Against the grain does get closer but to many side affects and irritation for me. Have you tried an electric razor? If you do you have to stick to it for a month or so for your skin to get used to it. lost __________________ Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace and happiness; Trusting that I may be reasonably happy in this life and forever.