Against The Grain

• Against The Grain by Swamp Ape on 19 Apr, 2011 15:35
• I have searched a little here and on the web. I am looking for tricks to shaving ATG. I am on day 11 and tried it once. It really felt like I was scraping my skin which in turn can inflame it and cause razor burn. Anybody have any advice or tricks for this? I am using a HB, Headslick, and a Gillette fusion for the area around my ears.
  
  Thanks
• #1 by sailor61 on 19 Apr, 2011 16:18
• What are you doing for prep? Shaving in the shower or at the sink? My first guess is you're not getting the stubble softened up enough.
• #2 by Argyle on 20 Apr, 2011 02:31
• All I can say is stick with it.  I have been shaving for about five years now, and started every other day.  Now religiously I shave each and every day and only go against the grain and dont get any irritation at all.  Shaving in the shower helps as well, soaking under hot water just softens everything up.
• #3 by Mikekoz13 on 20 Apr, 2011 05:08
• You could also try a little Shave Secret applied to your scalp prior to applying the HeadSlick. Shave Secret can be had at Wally World for about $3 and is an awesome product.
• #4 by Swamp Ape on 20 Apr, 2011 16:53
• I will try some of your ideas. I probably don't soak my head enough. I shave at the sink and wash my head/face in water as hot as I can take, then I lather my head, then my face. Then I shave my face. Touch up the lather on my head and shave it. I will try to shave in the shower. I am getting better at learning my head, so I can almost  shave by feel. I will try your ideas and let you know if I still have issues.
  
  Thanks
• #5 by garra on 21 Apr, 2011 06:55
• I waited about 4 weeks before going against the grain.  First I lather with HeadSlick and shave with the grain all over.  Then re-apply HeadSlick again and go against the grain.  I have actually found going against the grain has really helped in settling down the ingrown hairs on my head.  It does feel weird going against the grain as it feels like its ripping your skin, but stick with it.
• #6 by Sooner Steve on 21 Apr, 2011 10:27
• I think the key to shaving against the grain is preparation before shaving.  I am a shower shaver.  I like to give my head a good hot soaking before I apply anything.  This seems to loosen the pores and hair for a smoother shave.  I notice that I do show some irritaion if I press too hard with my razor.  I use a HeadBlade.  I took several times for practice for me to get the right amount of pressure
• #7 by Timmer on 25 Apr, 2011 16:18
• I used to shave in the sink until I started shaving my head.  Now I shave face and head in the shower.  I'm a touch shaver now, but you can get a good shower mirror for under $10.00 just about anywhere.  I got mine at Target.
• #8 by SlyBaldDude on 29 Apr, 2011 16:29
• I've seen this come up from time to time.  I shave against the grain.  But .. only after I have sat in the hot shower for about 5 minutes to soften things up.  Otherwise you could end up with a bumpy mess.  Also .. a fresh sharp razor is a must.  The duller the razor,  the more bumps I get when shaving against the grain.  Actually .. I don't get bumps.  I get these little nicks that after a few more shaves turn in to something like an expelled pimple.  Really annoying .. TMI?