Sensitive Skin - Need Advice

[BaldJJ]

Hello fellow Sly guys!

I'm sure this type of thing has been addressed but I'm just overly frustrated already and could really use some assistance.

I've been shaving my head now for about 2-3 years on and off. I started with clippers then I used a rotary andis shaver with a 0.1mm blade, next to skin. After that wasn't cutting it anymore, I took the LEAP and went completely sly! I picked up an HB sport and used that along with the TripleBlade kit. It worked well for awhile but it would take forever and at that point I had minimal to little irritation.

After doing this for a few months and after realizing it was taking too mch time - upwards of 30-45 minutes a day to shave my head entirely, I needed to do something else.

I came across this forum and tried different blades on the HB, nothing seemed to get me completely smooth and the more I tried different things and would shave every day, instead of my head toughening up - I found the opposite has been occuring and I'm constantly red now (it tends to clear up more throughout the day) but it's always occuring and I feel dry skin every day.

At the moment, my method is as follows..

I shower, put on headshed, then wash with headwash. I then either grab my HB sport + custom plus 3 blades from gillette or I use a fusion proglide. I go ATG, seeing as I shave every day, it's not worth even trying WTG cause it does nothing. I either use HeadSlick or Nivea Sensitive Shave Gel - depending on what I have on that day. I wash my head once more with HeadWash when I'm done with the shave, then get out and apply either clearhead or headblade matte lube.

Now I'm not one of those guys who has the "horshoe" but I'm blessed with pretty bad receding so I do have to shave the top more then most guys it appears on this forum. The sides of my head are not smooth and round, kinda indented almost and that is the most difficult spot and of course, the dreaded "cowlick" in the back of my head.

I really don't want to give up on shaving my head, but I just can't seem to find a method that doesn't cause irritation, not miss any spots and is pretty consitent and concise that I can do the same shave every day and not get so stressed out over this.

I appreciate any and all help that you fellow Sly guys can give me.

According to some friends on here, "shaving should be fun and almost thereaputic, NOT the opposite" and for me, it's just been a hassle.

Thanks in advance,

Jeremy

[D.A.L.U.I.]

To solve the redness, use an astrigent like witch hazel, and in addition to the after shave balm, like Nivea Extreme, also use some hydrocortizone lotion right after the witch hazel.  Use lotion not creme--the creme just doesn't want to absorb.  Personally I found the HB too much work--so I've alsways used a stick razor, now the Hydro 5.  And I put some Shave Secret under the Headslick that I apply with a brush. 

[BaldJJ]

To solve the redness, use an astrigent like witch hazel, and in addition to the after shave balm, like Nivea Extreme, also use some hydrocortizone lotion right after the witch hazel.  Use lotion not creme--the creme just doesn't want to absorb.  Personally I found the HB too much work--so I've alsways used a stick razor, now the Hydro 5.  And I put some Shave Secret under the Headslick that I apply with a brush.  

When should I use the witch hazel? How much do I apply? And I should apply something like witch hazel + Nivea Extreme after I'm done with my shave is what you're saying? Where can I purchase Shave Secret? Do you recommend any specific brush to use?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

When should I use the witch hazel? How much do I apply? And I should apply something like witch hazel + Nivea Extreme after I'm done with my shave is what you're saying? Where can I purchase Shave Secret? Do you recommend any specific brush to use?

When you've finished shaving, rinsed you newly scraped grape well (left over soap or shaving gel might be irritating) with warm and cool water (an ice cube rub is an option, highly reccommended) dry it off, put some witch hazel on a cotton pad and rub it all over that dome.  Then, put some hydrocortizone lotion, about a half teaspoon should do, and then follow with Nivea Extreme on--not too much a little goes a long way.  Shave Secret, about $3-4 at Walmart.  Get a cheap, $6-7 brush at Walmart too. 

[BaldJJ]

Excellent! I'll pick that stuff up and give it a try tomorrow. Can you get witch hazel locally or do I need to order it? I'd prefer not to wait.. Is there a local alternative astringent? If I can't get it, would I just use the hydrocortizone lotion and nivea extreme? How do I apply the shave secret and head slick using a brush?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Everything at Walmart unless you want the fancy "organic" witch hazel, that's a Whole Food type thing.  Ask the pharmacy about the lotion hydrocortizone lotion--if you can't find it.  Shave Secret's in the shave section. 

[BaldJJ]

I appreciate the feedback. How do I apply the slick and shave secret with the brush properly?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I appreciate the feedback. How do I apply the slick and shave secret with the brush properly?

After washing the melon with hot water and soap, apply 4-5 drops of the Shave Secret--a little goes a long way--and rub all over.  Then wet the brush with hot water, put about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Headslick in the brush and work all over you scalp working up a nice lather--set the brush aside without rinsing.  Shave and rinse your tool regularly, feeling around for any missed spots.  Then if necessary relather with the remaining product in the brush, finish up any rough or troublesome spots, rinse off, again rinse very very well.  Proceed with your program. 

[Sir Harry]

Yet another vote against the headblade.....I respect those of you who can use it successfully but I'm in the number that can't get it right.....I love my straight edge razor...Getting back on topic, a shaving brush does get you a smoother shave. May I suggest rubbing ice cubes on your head after your shave? in my case, the witch hazel and ice cubes work so well I hardly use aftershave anymore....Hang in there and good luck!

[antoniom]

shaving products for sensitive skin perhaps

[BaldJJ]

After washing the melon with hot water and soap, apply 4-5 drops of the Shave Secret--a little goes a long way--and rub all over.  Then wet the brush with hot water, put about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Headslick in the brush and work all over you scalp working up a nice lather--set the brush aside without rinsing.  Shave and rinse your tool regularly, feeling around for any missed spots.  Then if necessary relather with the remaining product in the brush, finish up any rough or troublesome spots, rinse off, again rinse very very well.  Proceed with your program.  

I can imagine that this is going to take some extra time but it's worth it, no?

[BaldJJ]

Yet another vote against the headblade.....I respect those of you who can use it successfully but I'm in the number that can't get it right.....I love my straight edge razor...Getting back on topic, a shaving brush does get you a smoother shave. May I suggest rubbing ice cubes on your head after your shave? in my case, the witch hazel and ice cubes work so well I hardly use aftershave anymore....Hang in there and good luck!

I appreciate the feedback. I'm going to try what everyone suggested and I'll post feedback after! I still feel this is going to take a lot more time but if it works, then it's worth it!

[BaldJJ]

shaving products for sensitive skin perhaps

Wow! That's a lot of product. lol ... What's your method like?

[Lynchy]

Another vote for a brush, witch hazel, and ice cube rub!

Also what type or irritation is it? Razor burn? Ingrown hairs or a rash?

You may be allergic to something in one of the products?

Also you could try sterilizing the razor head after use, second shower with antibacterial soap! All this helped me in the beginning.

Maybe you need to let the irritation settle before continuing?

Anyway let us know how you get on. Good Luck!

[BaldJJ]

It's mostly razor burn. Well, I found all the suggested products and tried it all out for the first time today. I felt the brush maybe either didn't lather enough or maybe I just didn't use it right... but the shave secret really made a huge difference! I haven't had this smooth a shave in a long time... Unfortunately, my Fusion Proglide fell and broke in the shower so I used my HB and knicked myself for the first time in a long time. But I will say after using all the products (witch hazel; found in towellete form, hydrocortizone and nivea extreme post shave balm) - I have VERY little redness today and I definitely feel a smoother shave... so Hats off to you fellow Sly guys, Thanks for the help! I'll keep you updated... I'm going to try without the brush tomorrow and see if it really makes that much of a difference.