SK-rock

Hey
I have been shaving my neck/throat for nearly 10 years, and have encountered the usual bumps and black dots but last week i noticed that an hour or so after shaving i began to get a really itchy rash, i scratched it a lot (which i really shouldn't have) and got raised spots that now they are healing resemble chicken pox. At first i put it down to a possible allergic reaction and began taking my hay fever meds (as i was having an itchy nose too)
But i noticed that my razor was blunt and wondered if it could be from that and not an allergy after all?
I have had the rash for over a week now, and although its clearing slightly its still very itchy.
I just wondered if this has happened to anybody else before?
Also i was wanting to ask about the best way to shave, normal wet shaving with a gilette razor just does seem to be working anymore, i can still feel and see stubble even after shaving.
Is it better to use an electric razor? Would this minimise the red bumps and black dots?
I have been in denial about how bad my throat actually looks like for all of these years, it wasn't until i got this rash that i seen that years of shaving with not the greatest of razors has done to my skin.
Any help would be great.

joyblack

The bottom line is that different methods of hair removal suit different women and different methods of shaving suit different individuals too.

For myself, I have a very sensitive, dry skin and for me the least irritant way of shaving is with a men's type rechargeable razor from the Philips Norelco rotary range. I believe that many trials have found that that's the least irritant way of shaving for most people, though it takes some time for the skin to get used to any different method of shaving.

Shaving with a wet razor would irritate and dry my skin badly. But putting that aside, bearing in mind that you're shaving beard growth, are you using a blade designed for beard growth -- i.e. for "men's" use?

Certainly if your blade was in the least blunt it would be likely to cause irritation. It really is false economy and perhaps you should consider using your blades just once -- at least for the face and neck areas -- perhaps you could keep them for use on your legs afterwards.

Are you perhaps using the same blade for anything other than your face at the moment?

What are you using to soften the beard growth? Shaving gel? Spray foam? Shaving soap? If it's shaving soap, how are you applying it? Are you using water that's hot enough? You should have really hot water in order to keep your blade completely clean in order to get a good shave.

Perhaps some more information about your normal shaving technique might help us isolate some possible causes of the problem.

Remember that your face and neck are MUCH more sensitive than your legs and leg-shaving techniques are not really appropriate. Better, perhaps, for the face and neck to use techniques that are appropriate specifically for the beard area.

ro_magnum_44

face and neck are MUCH more sensitive than your legs and leg-shaving techniques are not really appropriate

SK-rock

Hey thanks for the replies.
I use shaving foam to shave with, and occasionally lotion from Lush twice a week because of its moisturising benefits (i limit myself to twice a week as its expensive)
I use warm water, but i might try it making it hotter.
Another question would be is it better to go against or with the grain? Does it make much of a difference to other people? I have seen mixed opinions while searching the internet.
Thanks for your help.

joyblack

With shaving foam you really need very hot water to dip your razor in between strokes to keep the blade clear. You can clean your razor in much hotter water than you can put on your face.
With the grain for gentleness but against the grain for closeness. Long-term pluckers can have problems shaving because the hair roots tend to get a bit distorted by long-term plucking, resulting in their not being so much of a "grain."