View Full Version : Switching to An Electric Shaver
I have used disposable razors for years.
I keep getting razor bumps / rash on my neck.
I have tried everything to prevent it.
I switched to shaving with the grain. Doesn't help.
I switched to replacing my razor extremely frequently. Doesn't help.
I switched my shave cream to one made out of aloe. Doesn't help.
I am considering switching to an electric razor. One blog on electric razors says that it helped remove a dudes razor bumps.
Does anyone use an electric razor and have any advice? I hear their are two camps: Foil & Rotary.
PEACE.
Use a straight razor, and real shaving soap/gel. You can get away with a single-blade safety razor too.
The real trick is to properly prepare the beard before wacking away at it.
been there done that! didn't work; sorry bae.
I started out with electric razors (because that is what my dad used). Switched over to disposable razors after a few years because I have a very heavy beard and the electric razors never gave me a close enough shave. By 3 PM I would look like I hadn't shaved that day. Didn't much matter when I was a student or working in a warehouse but felt I should be avoiding that look once I started my professional career.
Never had razor bumps. Not sure why. I always shave in the shower (yes I know it isn't very frugal) ,replace my razor every 10 to 14 uses (again not very frugal) , and always carefully dry the razor after each use.
ToomuchStuff
10-12-12, 8:31am
I started out with electric, and eventually went with electric or a safety razor. Now I tend to use the electric more, but when it is dead, I grab for the safety razor and will not use another kind. (tried my gramps old straight razor but between it needing a touch up, and having no one to teach me, I cut myself to pieces) The soap verses foam, DOES make a difference (the soap goes in a cup). But personally I don't think that is any different then using an electric, with or without preshave. (I have had issues with the electric preshave stuff). Foils seemed to do better on just the neck, but the face the rotary has worked better for me. (I stuck with rotary after that) My hair is a little more fine, but those I have known with coarser hair, seem to like the foil better.
You can still find safety razors at garage/estate sales, or antique stores. Some are just smooth, while some are smooth on one end and have the beard trimmer on the other end, and yet others, have the beard trimmer on both. I have some of each from my grandfather and the blades are still around $1 to $2 for 10. If you clean and DRY the blades good after using, they last a LONG time. (I do still strop them some as I do feel they start to round over)
It does take time to adjust going from one to the other.
From everything my DH has chanted about Re: disposable razors, he says they are garbage.
Also, DH, soaks his face with a cloth drenched in hot water before he shaves. He says it helps soften the hair (whiskers).
Additionally, research has shown that old-fashioned shaving (using a blade razor/safety razor) helps remove dead/damaged skin cells, which, according to medical research, contributes to a reduced chance of skin cancer.
In a nutshell, old-fashioned shaving is healthier for a mans skin.
HeyDude, I've still been wondering all this time about your earwax problem. What did you ever do about that!?
decemberlov
10-12-12, 12:05pm
Also, DH, soaks his face with a cloth drenched in hot water before he shaves. He says it helps soften the hair (whiskers).
I was going to suggest this as well. I've also heard conditioner makes a much better shaving cream for the same reason.
If you go the electric razor route, a couple of things to keep in mind. One, if you're a not-every-day kind of shaver, electric shavers do not work well on multi-day stubble. And there's a transition period - it takes a while for your face to get used to an electric razor.
Also, DH, soaks his face with a cloth drenched in hot water before he shaves. He says it helps soften the hair (whiskers).
The pre-shave facial/beard prep is 90% of the job, IMHO. I suspect one of the reasons straight razors work "better" is simply because the shaving ritual is longer, and if followed properly gives the face longer/better prep time.
Originally posted by Bae.
The pre-shave facial/beard prep is 90% of the job, IMHO. I suspect one of the reasons straight razors work "better" is simply because the shaving ritual is longer, and if followed properly gives the face longer/better prep time. My husband said one of the biggest mistakes men make is racing into the bathroom in search of a speedy 5 minute shave. Shaving, from my husbands standpoint, should be performed (non-rushed).
To add, when it comes to anything "hygiene related", I'm a firm believer in the idea that one should take proper time to ensure such processes are performed with care and time is taken to do them right.
SteveinMN
10-13-12, 1:05pm
My husband said one of the biggest mistakes men make is racing into the bathroom in search of a speedy 5 minute shave. Shaving, from my husbands standpoint, should be performed (non-rushed).
The best expression of this I ever saw was "It's not a race -- it's your face!"
I, too, shave with a single-edged blade and soap and a brush. It may not be simpler or faster than squeezing a tube or button and swiping a razor once around my face, but I enjoy the ritual and the process. When I was working, sometimes it was one of the highlights of my day. My face looks better, too.
Originally posted by SteveinMN.
The best expression of this I ever saw was "It's not a race -- it's your face!"LOL! Going to pass it along to DH. Thanks. :)
so spill Bae
i was all bloody when i used a one blade bic
on the ear wax: i went to an ENT and he said i have no wax
when I did the olive oil, nothing came out. the olive oil even was not there to come out.
Heydude. Bae, wasn't referring to a one-bladed Bic Razor, he was referring to a "safety razor". Like this. (http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4654/safetyrazor.jpg)
My husbands exact words Re: disposable razors, "if you want a red, irritated, rashy, problematic face, shave with a disposable, and you'll get it".
I'll see how my day goes (for time), but I'll try and take a picture of my husbands razor (and post it later).
It's like a safety razor, only that it uses replaceable razor heads.
Heydude. Bae, wasn't referring to a one-bladed Bic Razor, he was referring to a "safety razor". Like this. (http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4654/safetyrazor.jpg)
My husbands exact words Re: disposable razors, "if you want a red, irritated, rashy, problematic face, shave with a disposable, and you'll get it".
Exactly so, on both points.
Originally posted by Heydude.
on the ear wax: i went to an ENT and he said i have no waxThe olive oil worked! Successfully dissolving whatever wax-buildup you had. :)
Yossarian
10-14-12, 7:44pm
Are you using the good ones like the Gillette Mach 3 or the Schick 4 bladed one? They are amazingly better than the old disposables. Shave right after you shower. No electric razor comes close. The blades are expensive but some of the best money you can spend.
yes i use gillette mac 3. it sucks really.
bae, what is your routine?
I used an electric shaver for years, but never felt like it got close enough..I like that smooth as a baby's butt feeling!
I use a disposable (with piviting head) razor, in the shower - no issues. I shave both directions. I must admit I use each razor for WEEKS - maybe longer.
nah, that olive oil and ear wax, well, NOTHING came out of my ear in the morning. and, it never felt better either.
i think i just THINK i have wax.
LOL, Heydude! Well, at least you can't say I didn't try. :)
Yossarian
10-15-12, 12:33pm
yes i use gillette mac 3. it sucks really.
Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe your skin sucks and not the razor. In my totally unscientific and arbitrary survey of the 8 or 9 guys in our staff meeting this morning everyone who uses the newest generation of razors said they had no problems. The old disposables did suck, but I haven't personally cut or even nicked myself shaving in 10 years with the new ones. Same for the rest of my unscientific sample.
SteveinMN
10-15-12, 4:04pm
In my totally unscientific and arbitrary survey of the 8 or 9 guys in our staff meeting this morning everyone who uses the newest generation of razors said they had no problems. The old disposables did suck, but I haven't personally cut or even nicked myself shaving in 10 years with the new ones. Same for the rest of my unscientific sample.
I think the companies that make the latest and greatest cartridges really want to move the people using the old cartridges to the newer stuff. I noticed a distinct lower quality in my Sensor cartridges when the Mach 3 came out -- to the point that I went to generic Sensor-compatible cartridges rather than waste the $$ on Gillette's product and really did not notice a difference.
For several years now I've been using a double-edge blade and safety razor. Shaving takes a little longer, but it really gives me a closer shave and the soap I'm using now treats my face much better than goo in a can did. There is a technique to it, and, like anything else, practice makes perfect. Of course, I'd probably do terrible things to my face if I had to go back to a disposable multiblade now. rrrrr
what soap you be using Steve?
SteveinMN
10-16-12, 1:07pm
Right now I'm using a glycerine-based soap from Mama Bear's Soaps. It's glycerine, shea butter, and essential oils. Nothing you (or I) can't pronounce. :) But I've also used tallow-based soaps and pure shea-butter soaps successfully. What hasn't worked well is the nationally-advertised stuff that comes in cans and some of the cheaper soap pucks available in drugstores (Williams dries my face out after a few uses; van der Hagen does after several consecutive uses). And menthol doesn't work for me no matter how it comes.
ThePauper
10-29-12, 9:43am
Hey HeyDude,
I switched to shaving with the grain. Doesn't help.
I switched to replacing my razor extremely frequently. Doesn't help.
I switched my shave cream to one made out of aloe. Doesn't help.
I am considering switching to an electric razor. One blog on electric razors says that it helped remove a dudes razor bumps.
Does anyone use an electric razor and have any advice? I hear their are two camps: Foil & Rotary.
Bad shaving really sucks, and it sounds like you haven't had a lot of luck so far. It also sounds like you've probably spent enough on razors and creams to have paid for a good electric shaver by now. :( No worries, though. I think there are some good options out there for you! :D
There are two camps, foil and rotary, and both sides have their advocates. There's also another side that most people aren't aware of - junk razors. Most electric shavers out there are just plain junk, and you are guaranteed to get a bad shave. Unless it's a mid to high-range Philips, Braun, or Panasonic, don't even bother buying it. However, a nice electric razor can be great! :)
Since your face is so sensitive, you're probably going to want to buy a Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D, a Braun Series 5, or a Braun Series 7. You'll want either a top of the line rotary or a mid/top of the line foil with very sensitive skin. These range in price from $150-$220, but you'll find that they require less pressure to get a really close shave. I don't recommend many of the lower tier rotary razors because they aren't quite as good for really sensitive skin. The Philips Norelco PowerTouch Aquatec 830 (http://www.paupersdime.com/AT830) is probably worth looking at too if your budget is under $100.
I had some of the same problems you are having with junk electric razors until I finally got a nice electric shaver (Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1250X (http://www.PaupersDime.com/1250X)), so I totally hear what you're saying. Now that I have a great electric shaver, I can get a close shave quickly. Mrs-M's comment that shaving shouldn't be fast is true, but my lifestyle demands fast shaving. When you master the art of dry shaving with a high end rotary shaver, you can shave at a stoplight or in your office before a meeting without getting razor burn. It's pretty great!
If you're interested in learning more about the electric shavers I recommended, I put together a guide that I think you might find handy.
You Can Check Out My Guide to Electric Shavers Here: http://www.paupersdime.com/guide-buying-an-electric-razor-shaver-philips-norelco-braun/
Good luck! :)
simplelife4me
10-29-12, 9:36pm
I buy cheapest Norelco I can find and they work fine.
ToomuchStuff
10-30-12, 12:07pm
I went with the cheapest Norelco that said Corded/cordless, that I could find (about $35, but I think I bought it for less on sale). The cord/cordless part means you can use it with it plugged in, verses the just cordless models. (if the battery dies, your not SOL)
I do replace the blades, once a year if I am using it regularly (less if I switch between it and the safety razor).
The Pauper, wow! i think i have to do foil. rotary creeps me out. do you use shave cream with a electric razor?
i have naturally curly hair so i think i get in grown hairs and all the razor bumps from that.
i am either going to buy a really expensive razor -or- try to go with a really expensive safety razor, hehe.
how often do you have to change blades on an electric razor and how much are blades generally?
i use a 1947 gillette super-speed d.e. ($25) and ive used 1 razor every two months about. (feather razors, pack of 10 is 5.50)
best shave ive ever had. super close and smooth.
SteveinMN
11-4-12, 10:21am
zeaxmays, you get a month out of a Feather??!? :0! I am truly impressed. I can pull 4-5 days out of one. But I think my beard is particularly tough.
(2 months on a blade) i shave maybe twice a week, i keep a chin beard too. after about a month i flip the blade. rest of my facial hair besides moustache is fairly lite.
id probably be on the same schedule otherwise.
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