Facial Hair Conundrum

[Johnny Hammersticks]

So, I usually shave my entire face every morning, but in the winter I like to grow out my beard for a couple months.  Started to grow it out last week.  The only part of it I shave is down on my neck to tidy up the bottom.

 

Here is my confusion.  When I shave my entire face I never get razor bumps/irritation, but when I just shave just that little section on my neck above my Adams Apple it breaks out like crazy and gets irritated.  Using same shaving products and shaving in the same direction as usual.  Nothing different.  Does anyone know why this might be?  

[Gugny]

11 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

So, I usually shave my entire face every morning, but in the winter I like to grow out my beard for a couple months.  Started to grow it out last week.  The only part of it I shave is down on my neck to tidy up the bottom.

 

Here is my confusion.  When I shave my entire face I never get razor bumps/irritation, but when I just shave just that little section on my neck above my Adams Apple it breaks out like crazy and gets irritated.  Using same shaving products and shaving in the same direction as usual.  Nothing different.  Does anyone know why this might be?  

 

You vaxxed, bro?

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

You vaxxed, bro?

Do they have an Ebola vax? 

 

I shave at least 363 days a year. I don’t mind when others go with stubble or a real beard, but it just feels wrong to me for some reason. 

[Gugny]

19 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

So, I usually shave my entire face every morning, but in the winter I like to grow out my beard for a couple months.  Started to grow it out last week.  The only part of it I shave is down on my neck to tidy up the bottom.

 

Here is my confusion.  When I shave my entire face I never get razor bumps/irritation, but when I just shave just that little section on my neck above my Adams Apple it breaks out like crazy and gets irritated.  Using same shaving products and shaving in the same direction as usual.  Nothing different.  Does anyone know why this might be?  

 

I wonder if it's because you're having to stop at the beard's edge, therefore using shorter strokes.  This is an odd one, for sure.

 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

1 minute ago, Gugny said:

 

I wonder if it's because you're having to stop at the beard's edge, therefore using shorter strokes.  This is an odd one, for sure.

 

Perhaps 🤔 

[Gugny]

1 minute ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Perhaps 🤔 

 

When I was in the Navy, a lot of guys used shaving powder to avoid bumps.  That stuff stunk to high hell.

[ExiledInIllinois]

No. I am Sasquatch the Hippie. 

 

Hope someone can help!  THIS board has some of the finest health, beauty,  and medical minds known to humans! Pretty good with sports pessimism too!😏 

7 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

I wonder if it's because you're having to stop at the beard's edge, therefore using shorter strokes.  This is an odd one, for sure.

 

Start at beards edge with a trimmer. 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

Maybe you need someone to shave you instead:

 

 

[dpberr]

I always spritz my razors with isopropyl alcohol, let it dwell for a minute, and then use it.  I never keep my razor in the shower, I take it out and let it dry.  It works for me, I've never had a razor burn or the folliculitis on my neck.  

 

A barber clued me into this a long time ago - razors, etc. all have bacteria on them, and you go away opening up the hair follicles on the neck for it. 

 

I use isopropyl because it's cheap.  You can also get the fancier barbicide.   

[ExiledInIllinois]

6 minutes ago, dpberr said:

I always spritz my razors with isopropyl alcohol, let it dwell for a minute, and then use it.  I never keep my razor in the shower, I take it out and let it dry.  It works for me, I've never had a razor burn or the folliculitis on my neck.  

 

A barber clued me into this a long time ago - razors, etc. all have bacteria on them, and you go away opening up the hair follicles on the neck for it. 

 

I use isopropyl because it's cheap.  You can also get the fancier barbicide.   

Mineral oil too. Keep the blade in mineral oil...

Edited December 14, 2022 by ExiledInIllinois

[Bad Things]

Have you ever used an old-school "Safety Razor" before?

I switched to one earlier in the year and love it, as it gives a great shave, but is really easy on the skin.

 

In short, you only have a single blade cutting the hair, instead of multiple blades cutting the hair and then scraping the heck out of your skin with each pass of the razor.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

48 minutes ago, dpberr said:

I always spritz my razors with isopropyl alcohol, let it dwell for a minute, and then use it.  I never keep my razor in the shower, I take it out and let it dry.  It works for me, I've never had a razor burn or the folliculitis on my neck.  

 

A barber clued me into this a long time ago - razors, etc. all have bacteria on them, and you go away opening up the hair follicles on the neck for it. 

 

I use isopropyl because it's cheap.  You can also get the fancier barbicide.   

Good tips.  I never clean my razor, but if that were the problem wouldn’t my neck/face “break out” when I shave normally like I do the other 330 days of the year?

 

9 minutes ago, Bad Things said:

Have you ever used an old-school "Safety Razor" before?

I switched to one earlier in the year and love it, as it gives a great shave, but is really easy on the skin.

 

In short, you only have a single blade cutting the hair, instead of multiple blades cutting the hair and then scraping the heck out of your skin with each pass of the razor.

Never tried one.   I use a Mach 5 or something.  Try to change the blade every couple weeks or so.  Maybe I’ll give it a go.

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

So, I usually shave my entire face every morning, but in the winter I like to grow out my beard for a couple months.  Started to grow it out last week.  The only part of it I shave is down on my neck to tidy up the bottom.

 

Here is my confusion.  When I shave my entire face I never get razor bumps/irritation, but when I just shave just that little section on my neck above my Adams Apple it breaks out like crazy and gets irritated.  Using same shaving products and shaving in the same direction as usual.  Nothing different.  Does anyone know why this might be?  

 

I would guess the beard/stubble that is left under your chin is rubbing on the shaved neck spot and irritating it. Which would explain why it doesnt happen if you shave your entire face.

Edited December 14, 2022 by DrDawkinstein

[Nextmanup]

2 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Perhaps 🤔 

I recall "talking" to you before about shaving.

 

Have you made the move to using an old fashioned safety razor?  

 

You should be able to trim your beard with that without getting irritation and bumps.

 

I seem to recall reading somewhere that this type of thing can actually be the result of bacteria or some such living on the edge of your razor.  The idea is to keep your razor out of the shower and DRY.  And rotate blades routinely.

 

If you go the safety razor route, you can get blades for like 20 cents a pop.  And they are sharp and deliver the best shave you'll get.  After about 3 uses, I chuck them and get another.

Some safety razor guys insist on using a new blade every time they shave.  I think that is excessive, but you can afford to do it if you want to.

 

The best/sharpest blades in the world are FOR SURE made by a Japanese company called "FEATHER."

 

If I'm using Feather blades I get a good 3-4 uses and then replace.

 

If you got a safety razor and 100 feather blades and rotate them frequently, and keep everything dry, I think your razor bump problem would cease.

 

 

[dpberr]

1 hour ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Good tips.  I never clean my razor, but if that were the problem wouldn’t my neck/face “break out” when I shave normally like I do the other 330 days of the year?

 

Never tried one.   I use a Mach 5 or something.  Try to change the blade every couple weeks or so.  Maybe I’ll give it a go.

Good question.  In my experience, I had the folliculitis on my neck, but not my face, and once I started sanitizing the razor blades, the problem on my neck went away.  

 

Also consider your skin not liking aftershave, beard oil or anything else you put on your face.  

[Johnny Hammersticks]

2 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

I would guess the beard/stubble that is left under your chin is rubbing on the shaved neck spot and irritating it. Which would explain why it doesnt happen if you shave your entire face.

I think this might be the answer!  

1 hour ago, dpberr said:

Good question.  In my experience, I had the folliculitis on my neck, but not my face, and once I started sanitizing the razor blades, the problem on my neck went away.  

 

Also consider your skin not liking aftershave, beard oil or anything else you put on your face.  

I don’t use any aftershave.  I use the basic foam shaving cream and a light face lotion recommended by my dermatologist.

[PastaJoe]

Perhaps the drier air during the winter months affects your skin. Try using an electric razor.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

30 minutes ago, PastaJoe said:

Perhaps the drier air during the winter months affects your skin. Try using an electric razor.

I have tried electric razors several times.  Not for me.  I just shaved my beard off.  It appears that there is a 1-2 week “phase” where my beard gets itchy as hell and my neck breaks out.  I don’t have time for that ***** right now.  Maybe next winter 😂 

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone…

[Augie]

5 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I have tried electric razors several times.  Not for me.  I just shaved my beard off.  It appears that there is a 1-2 week “phase” where my beard gets itchy as hell and my neck breaks out.  I don’t have time for that ***** right now.  Maybe next winter 😂 

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone…

 

Electric sounded great until I tried it. It was OK for a quick refresh if we had a function in the evening, thats about it. 

 

During the winter I like to let my chest and back hair grow out. I’m like a cuddly bear! You know what they say - it’s all about LAYERS!  

 

Think Fitzy topless at a Bills game. It’s like a giant sweater underneath everything else!!!

 

 

.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Augie

[Johnny Hammersticks]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

Electric sounded great until I tried it. It was OK for a quick refresh if we had a function in the evening, thats about it. 

 

During the winter I like to let my chest and back hair grow out. I’m like a cuddly bear! You know what they say - it’s all about LAYERS!  

 

Think Fitzy topless at a Bills game. It’s like a giant sweater underneath everything else!!!

 

 

.

Sounds like my uncle, Spider.  His chest hair looks like taco meat.