How To: Avoid Irritation When Shaving

[Chicklet]

Maybe I'm just totally clueless about all aspects of life, but especially in the last few months I've been irritating my skin terribly whenever I shave. I've switched blades regularly, gone slow, gone faster, tried different angles, tried every other day, tried waiting weeks in between, used soap, used shaving cream, used shaving gel, switched brands, used lotions, done it in the sink, in the shower, in the bathtub... and I can't seem to get rid of the irritation on my legs (or more embarassingly, in between them)

Does anyone have any tips on what works for them, perhaps things I've overlooked or ought to give another try?

 

[Amonara]

Maybe I'm just totally clueless about all aspects of life, but especially in the last few months I've been irritating my skin terribly whenever I shave. I've switched blades regularly, gone slow, gone faster, tried different angles, tried every other day, tried waiting weeks in between, used soap, used shaving cream, used shaving gel, switched brands, used lotions, done it in the sink, in the shower, in the bathtub... and I can't seem to get rid of the irritation on my legs (or more embarassingly, in between them)

Does anyone have any tips on what works for them, perhaps things I've overlooked or ought to give another try?

I've recently run into the same problem after years of shaving. What I do is immediately put this BikiniZone cream on it as soon as I get out of the shower. It helps immensely. Other than that I use sensitive skin shaving gel and try to wait several days between shaving.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Eilan]

Have you checked out the hair removal threads in The Blank Manual?

 

[Chicklet]

actually the hair removal threads don't really say anything along the lines of what i'm looking for... (wow)

 

[Chicklet]

I've recently run into the same problem after years of shaving. What I do is immediately put this BikiniZone cream on it as soon as I get out of the shower. It helps immensely. Other than that I use sensitive skin shaving gel and try to wait several days between shaving.

Hope that helps some.

thanks, i haven't tried the cream before, i'll have to go pick some up. ^^

 

[SweetErika]

I've found apply hydrocortisone cream after patting dry to be helpful. FYI: The active ingredient in Bikini Zone is 2% Lidocaine, so it's possible other anesthetic creams will do the same thing for a lesser cost. It might be worth a try if you're using a lot of the product.

For me, only a patch of skin in the middle of the mons pubis gets razor burn no matter what I do. After months, I got fed up with it, so I shave all around to the point where the problem skin starts, and then just trim the hair close. Maybe it's not ideal, but I never have to deal with the irritation or creams.

 

[Rayn]

Use any type of hair conditioner as a base over the area you want to shave. Then start shaving.........it leaves your skin smooth and silky.

 

[lizaveta]

Have you tried changing your laundry detergent? Several years ago I had a problem with cuts not healing as quickly as they should; paper cuts, kitten scratches, ANYTHING that broke the skin would take FOREVER to heal. After several rounds of medical tests for some pretty scary stuff, an allergist in my GP's office mentioned changing my soaps (skin, laundry, dish, etc.)

Lo and behold, it was my laundry detergent. I don't know if they changed their formula or what happened, but suddenly I was mildly allergic to it - not enough to irritate healthy skin, but enough that damaged skin stayed irritated longer than it should.

Think about it - that stuff is on your underwear, your clothes, your sheets, everywhere!

Anyway, it's just a thought. Something to try.

 

[kinky shy girl]

For your legs, have you tried the Intuition razor? It has a built-in soap-type thing at the head. It says that you don't need shaving gel, but I use the gel anyway. My legs never get irritated.

For shaving down below, well, it was trial and error for me. I found that shaving cream and the Venus razor works for me.

 

[sassy_girl1963]

I've been using my Intuition razor for between my legs besides my legs, and have not had any problems.....might want to try that...

 

[averageblonde]

I have found that a lot of dove soap later, a venus razor, and some Cetaphil moisturizer afterwards really helps. I still have a bit of redness, but it's not bad at all.

 

[AppleBiter]

Maybe I'm just totally clueless about all aspects of life, but especially in the last few months I've been irritating my skin terribly whenever I shave. I've switched blades regularly, gone slow, gone faster, tried different angles, tried every other day, tried waiting weeks in between, used soap, used shaving cream, used shaving gel, switched brands, used lotions, done it in the sink, in the shower, in the bathtub... and I can't seem to get rid of the irritation on my legs (or more embarassingly, in between them)

Does anyone have any tips on what works for them, perhaps things I've overlooked or ought to give another try?

Have you tried baby oil in lieu of shave gel/cream?

 

[UwantMe]

I use to have problems with that untill I bought a electronic wet/dry shaver it did wonders.. I have been using if it for about 2 months and I have never had any irratation.

 

[SweetErika]

I have found that a lot of dove soap later, a venus razor, and some Cetaphil moisturizer afterwards really helps. I still have a bit of redness, but it's not bad at all.

You may want to consider replacing the soap with a good shave gel or oil (e.g. Skintimate, and King of Shaves make fantastic products), baby oil, or a lightly scented moisturizing body wash (sometimes heavy scents and additives can cause irritation). I've even had good luck using the Dove mousse-like conditioner.

I've never tried the Intuition, but have heard some horror stories about shaving pubic hair with it here. Plus, it's probably great for legs, but can't imagine it's small enough to manuever into tighter spots. I'd think it might be better to just stick with a good lubricating product and quality razor.

I learned something interesting about one of my razors the other day... Any Schick Quattro razor will take any Quattro blade. So the Men's, Women's, Power, etc. razors and blades are all interchangeable. I found that useful because I have the Men's handle, but often the Women's or Power cartridges are on sale or are almost free with a rebate, which makes new cartridges relatively inexpensive.

Have you tried baby oil in lieu of shave gel/cream?

Were you the one who suggested baby oil awhile back? If so, thank you!!! I'd never tried it before, and while I don't have good results doing it dry (someone mentioned that), it's awesome in the shower or bath. I don't use it every time, but it's a great solution when my skin is a little drier than normal or I want a really, really close shave.

 

[sassy_girl1963]

Were you the one who suggested baby oil awhile back? If so, thank you!!! I'd never tried it before, and while I don't have good results doing it dry (someone mentioned that), it's awesome in the shower or bath. I don't use it every time, but it's a great solution when my skin is a little drier than normal or I want a really, really close shave.

So how do you use the baby oil? Do you rub it on in the shower after you've gotten wet and then shave? Also like knowing that about the Quartto razor - will have to keep an eye out for coupons!

 

[FloridaPair]

I have had great sucess with something in the african american section at walmart. Its a shaving powder...and you mix it with water....wait 7 minutes..then scrape it off with a spoon. It is called Magic by Softsheen-carson.

(says its formulated for black men to help stop razor bumps.)


You dont shave at all...it dissolves the hair. I loved it...but have since had laser done...so no more of the powder for me!! Its permanately gone

 

[SweetErika]

So how do you use the baby oil? Do you rub it on in the shower after you've gotten wet and then shave? Also like knowing that about the Quartto razor - will have to keep an eye out for coupons!

Yes, I use the baby oil in the shower (shaving is generally one of the last things I do so the skin and hair have plenty of time to warm and soften). I just bought generic baby oil, but the bottle was a pain to get into (childproof cap) and use, so I put it in an empty rinsed-out shampoo bottle with one of the push-down, pop up lids, though a pump would be convenient also I'd imagine.

I usually quickly exfoliate my legs with a bath pouf or gloves, and just lighten up in the pubic area (a washcloth will work too). Then, I rub a liberal amount of baby oil on the area, and shave. If it's been a few days, I'll add more oil and hot water, rub it in, and shave until it's completely smooth (the exfoliation really helps too). I don't want to be an oil slick, so I finish by running the bath pouf with a little body wash or soap over the area, rinse off, and pat dry...there's still enough oil to moisturize and feel silky, but nothing greasy.

[http://www.walgreens.com/store/rebateclub.jsp]Walgreens EasySaver[/URL] and [http://www.riteaid.com/stores/scr/]Rite Aid Single Check[/URL] rebate programs often have excellent rebates on some type of Quattro razor and refills, either in the form of a rebate or coupon in their rebate catalogs or weekly ads. I think I've gotten them for 50+% off for the last three or so months now. Our Sunday paper also has coupons sometimes, and if you google for 'Schick Quattro coupon,' you can find them online. It's a great razor, but if I had to pay full price for the cartridges, I'm not sure I'd buy it because they're about $2.50 each. A less expensive, but extremely good option is the Gillette Sensor Excel. It's a twin-blade, but is the only razor my husband's ever used, and works wonderfully. You can get generic replacement blades, but the brand name blades are also inexpensive at Costco.

Hope that helps.

 

[SweetErika]

I have had great sucess with something in the african american section at walmart. Its a shaving powder...and you mix it with water....wait 7 minutes..then scrape it off with a spoon. It is called Magic by Softsheen-carson.

(says its formulated for black men to help stop razor bumps.)


You dont shave at all...it dissolves the hair. I loved it...but have since had laser done...so no more of the powder for me!! Its permanately gone

Yeah, Magic is legendary here at Lit. I was tempted to try it, but chickened out when people started talking about second degree chemical burns. I have used Nair with okay results though.

 

[AppleBiter]

Were you the one who suggested baby oil awhile back? If so, thank you!!! I'd never tried it before, and while I don't have good results doing it dry (someone mentioned that), it's awesome in the shower or bath. I don't use it every time, but it's a great solution when my skin is a little drier than normal or I want a really, really close shave.

Yep, that was me. You're very welcome and I'm glad it worked out for you! I have very sensitive skin, myself, and it's the only thing that has worked for me as far as keeping the bumps at bay.

 

[AppleBiter]

So how do you use the baby oil? Do you rub it on in the shower after you've gotten wet and then shave? Also like knowing that about the Quartto razor - will have to keep an eye out for coupons!

Sometimes I use it in the shower, sometimes over the toilet. If in the shower, I soap and rinse with antibacterial soap, then apply the oil and shave. Then, I soap and rinse again. If I'm in a hurry, however, and I do it over the toilet, I'll apply the oil, shave, then take a wet washcloth and wash off the remaining oil.

 

[Clea]

I have a cunning way...

I dont shave!

I like it, my g/f likes it and thats all that matters to me.

 

[Kpooh]

Try the Schick Intuition razor....with the head for sensitive skin.

It works great, and leaves your skin feeling soft & smooth.

 

[BlueSugar]

wow.
so baby oil hm?
I've never seen this suggested, and I'm going to try it soon.
I don't shave my pubes completely off because I've some Italian in me and its a 5:00 shadow by the end of 24 hours and the grow back HURTS, maintanance is a bitch too ...
I'd love to beat the bumps anyday though... it doesn't happen often, but its a bitch when it does.
I'll have to drag a chair into the stall though so I don't fall on my ass with the oil all over the tile floor haha.

and that razor with the soap thingie around it actually works? I figure the soap goes away and before ya know it you've got to shave at some odd angle for it to shave/soap properly and then risk more cuts then comfort. I'm not ready to buy into it yet.
I do so love the triple or quad blades though - but only when they aren't wired.


as for bumps and irritation.
apply a good great awesome cream like nivea in the blue bottle and wipe off extra.
the elastic on your panties could be rubbing the area to death, maybe its time to buy a better size so they aren't so irritating.

 

[Tele2047]

My ex used baby oil after shaving, never heard of using it to shave though. She did say (after using my shaving cream once) that the normal gillette shaving cream for men is better than the top of the line stuff for women in her opinion though.

 

[h_i_s]

......... the elastic on your panties could be rubbing the area to death, maybe its time to buy a better size so they aren't so irritating.

Panties was my problem. Had the right size, tried different styles, different types of material too. Finally stopped wearing panties at all .......... MUCH better now.