the top of my head shaves easy because its thin. but the sides and back (particularly the sides) give me a hard time and I feel like I gotta keep going over those parts over and over before its smooth, and i think this is causing my razor burn.
how do you guys get a smooth shave in those coarse spots where the hair is thicker without getting razor burn?
Then I'd suggest an astringent after shaving, hydrogen peroxide is cheap and effective as is witch hazel. Then a oil free after shave balm, I am partial to Nivea Extreme--very light aroma, but no oil to clog pores, finish w/ sunscreen.
How would you apply the Hydrogen peroxide, just with your hands? or what? I have some of that.
cotton pad, available at a pharmacy. A pack of 100 is a buck or two.
the top of my head shaves easy because its thin. but the sides and back (particularly the sides) give me a hard time and I feel like I gotta keep going over those parts over and over before its smooth, and i think this is causing my razor burn.
how do you guys get a smooth shave in those coarse spots where the hair is thicker without getting razor burn?
Sometimes you have to just let it be. Sometimes mine comes smooth, other times not. I use some of my wife's hair conditioner on occasion. I put it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes and rinse. I have used olive oil under my shave cream. It's messy, but it works. I'm assuming you a sink shaver. You might want to try shaving in the shower. I just think that lubrication and getting your hair soft is your problem. There are a bunch of tricks to try. That's the fun part. Look on Youtube for Mantic's shave videos. Most of them are for safety razors, but a bunch of it is about technique and prep. He has a truckload of knowledge. Stick with it. You'll get it.
I think it is just my skin adjusting mostly. I shaved today and the only thing I did differently was make sure I had the blade with the lubricating strip flat on my head as possible. and I put a little more pressure when shaving the sdes. From what I can tell its the smoothest shave ive had with no irritation!
I'd say let the weight of the razor do its own thing. Do not apply too much pressure.
Use a badger shaving brush also before shaving. Shaving brushes helps lift the hair from the skin and that is what most men do not know.
I'd say let the weight of the razor do its own thing. Do not apply too much pressure.
Use a badger shaving brush also before shaving. Shaving brushes helps lift the hair from the skin and that is what most men do not know. 
the pressure helped take it off in one pass, doing multiple passes was causing the irritation, the pressure taking it off in one swipe stopped the irritation. also was the smoothest shave ive gotten so far
I'd say let the weight of the razor do its own thing. Do not apply too much pressure.
Use a badger shaving brush also before shaving. Shaving brushes helps lift the hair from the skin and that is what most men do not know. 
the pressure helped take it off in one pass, doing multiple passes was causing the irritation, the pressure taking it off in one swipe stopped the irritation. also was the smoothest shave ive gotten so far
You were definitely not getting enough hydration and lubrication of the skin.
I'd say let the weight of the razor do its own thing. Do not apply too much pressure.
Use a badger shaving brush also before shaving. Shaving brushes helps lift the hair from the skin and that is what most men do not know. 
the pressure helped take it off in one pass, doing multiple passes was causing the irritation, the pressure taking it off in one swipe stopped the irritation. also was the smoothest shave ive gotten so far
You were definitely not getting enough hydration and lubrication of the skin.
I don't know what else to do about it, I'm currently broke at the moment so I can't really go out and buy anything. and I can't shave in the shower, I just can't lol, if I don't see what I'm doing it will be a bloodbath.