I figure I'm not the only person with super sensitive skin. I can't seem to figure out what to use so that I don't get razor burn or a ton of irritation. It didn't used to be this bad, but now I dread shaving because of the irritation. NOT shaving isn't an option, I do like having smooth legs and non-hairy armpits.
So, denizens of hatrack, what do you recommend?
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
I did best with a Gillette Mach 3 and Edge Gel, but that might get a little pricey. Just the blades for a Mach 3 are more expensive than entire disposable razors.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
At this point, I am willing to go for pricey in order to have less irritation.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Anything else, and I look like I contracted smallpox.
mack, if you want to try one before you invest any money, I'd be happy to mail you an unused one from my pack.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
I have never tried it, but I've heard hair conditioner makes a wonderful shaving lubricant, too. (CT's Mention of shampoo made me think of it).
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
Soap lather?
Electric?
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
Gilette pivot plus razors with Edge sensitive skin gel (orange top) works the best for me
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
mack, have you ever tried any of the defoliants (Neet, Nair, etc.)? Or does your skin react to those?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
If you are so concerned with irritation, I suggest ditching the razor altogether. Posted by MidnightBlue (Member # 6146) on :
Someone in a really old thread mentioned that face washes salicylic acid are good against razor burn because they get reduce redness and swelling. You could try washing with that after you shave.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
How do you shave? I use a Venus (3 blades and a couple conditioning strips - I think it's the "Divine" one) razor (I really like them and have used them for years), but for the life of me, cannot use shaving cream. My hair grows in a million different directions so I end up shaving the same area several times and shaving cream just doesn't provide enough lubrication for that - even when I try to reapply between passes. I use soap - any nice lathering soap (that doesn't disappear on the first pass) - at the moment I'm using Dove for sensative skin. I also do not shave every day. I usually shave my legs twice a week (sometimes a little more often than that, but I wear pants to work and never really go anywhere, so there's no real need to shave every day, every other day max is fine), armpits every other day. If you're the kind of person that shaves every day, I don't know if there is any combination that will keep your sensitive skin from freaking out.
Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
Mack,
Try Aveeno's shave gel. It might be hard to find, or in with men's shaving supplies, but it is the only commercial product that I found will actually reduce and then prevent my razor bumps, conditioner included. I would also recommend watching out for products that have high amounts of glycerin in them. Many people have a slight allergy or sensitivity to glycerin and have trouble with lipstick and makeup etc...
As far as razors, my wife relies on a Schick (?) Quattro razor and uses New! Skintimate moisturizing after-shave gel with aloe and vitamin E (Raspberry Rain scented) 10oz Bottle that dispenses from the bottom (cool for standing it up in the shower). This is applied after shaving and she says it prevents bumps from raising on her legs. Often times in a pinch she also uses my Schick green disposabe razors, which we both like.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
An old-fashioned shaving brush and good old Ivory soap works great for me. I get bad razor burn on my face if I use anything else.
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: If you are so concerned with irritation, I suggest ditching the razor altogether.
Ooo la la, tres francais.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
I don't know what goes well with legs and armpits, but for my face/neck I use Gillette Mach 3 turbo (has an extra moisture strip on it) with Edge Gell for sensitive skin. I also make sure to shave with the grain, and not against it. While shaving against the grain might get it a bit closer, it can irritate your skin.
Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
I've used the Edge Gell and it irritated my skin. I like the Skintimate gels and then I put lotion on after and that helps me. I don't know that I would classify myself with having sensitive skin. I use the Venus razors.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
People can have adverse reactions to Nair, including burning sensation. I have a personal story, that turned into a comedy of errors, but generated the household quote "Now doesn't that just Nair your ass?"
AJ
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
I also have sensitive skin. I laughed when CT mentioned a "smallpox" appearance. Here's what I've learned since working for Clinique (yes, they have more than make-up[ products):
-used Skintamate (sp?) shave gel for sensitive skin (it's the pink one) -Venus razors (change often-dull razors are the enemy) -shave after you've been in the shower for a while (after you've shampooed) -avoid really hot showers (it will dry out the skin) -apply lotion to skin that is still wet (this really works!) -I use Curel lotion
I hope this helps! You've seen my fair skin, so you know you and I are in the same boat here with sensitive skin.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
I suggest pulling each hair out individually with tweezers. Slowly.
Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
Ouch.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Lye, and a shard of obsidian?
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
I got an electric shaver, and I love it. it stinks for armpits, though. So to speak.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
There is a marvelous women's shaver called "Intuition". It has a razor kind of floating in a bar of soap. You wet the ahaver, wet your skin, and glide the shaver over your hairy bits.
Perfect.
There is a sensitive skin version, too. Why they still make the insensitive kind is beyond me.
Posted by Aurinona (Member # 8443) on :
I haven't found one that works well for me yet- maybe I'll try some of the ones that have been mentioned here. As it is, I put it off as long as possible (which can be a long time, given that I try to wear jeans year-round.)
I will say to NOT, under any circumstances, buy the Schick Silk Effects razors. My husband told me to stop using the disposables because I kept complaining about irritation, so I grabbed one... Those little wires that are supposed to stop nicks? No cuts, my arse. I nick myself just as badly as I ever did with other razors, and the wires make certain that they're impossible to rinse clean. Hairs just get caught in them. I've found myself having to shave the same area multiple times because I think the wires get in the way, as well...but they still don't stop nicks. Going back over areas is just a certain recipe for razor burn, for me. Hatred! I'm going back to my disposables.
Owww, Nair...I used it ONCE, left it on for LESS time than recommended, and the result was chemical burns up and down my thighs. Definitely not for sensitive skin.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I have fairly sensitive skin, and I use Mach 3 blades and the Gillette Series Sensitive Skin gel. I still get razor burn occasionally, but it's a lot more rare than when I use anything else.
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
I use just a random razor I found in the shower with water. Now I wonder how people cut themselves while shaving. Cuz it hasn't happened to my legs, stomach or chest.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by BannaOj: People can have adverse reactions to Nair, including burning sensation.
I know -- that's why they try to get you to apply it to a test patch and wait 24 hours. (Does anyone actually do this?) But IME, some people, including many with sensitive skin, have no reaction to defoliants. I tend to react to razors more than to the chemicals.
The Intuition razor thingy is not bad, though.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I'm going to conduct some market research of my own. I figure, I'm going to be dealing with this for years to come, so I might as well invest some time and a bit of money to figure out what works and what doesn't.
I got three different kinds of shave gel and/or cream:
Skintimate sensitive skin shave gel (moisturizing) Satin Care sensitive skin shave gel Soft Shave shower shave cream sensitive skin
And four different types of razors: Schick Xtreme 3 for Women Noxema Triple Blade disposable razors Gillette Daisy (on CT's recommendation) Gillette Sensor 3 for women
I'm not quite sure how I'll do this between trying each razor and shave gel.
Suggestions?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Seems like the first step ought to be dividing your legs into 12 areas of approximately equal size . . . Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I'll second the recommendation for Skintimate gel. I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I do like that one best of all the varieties I've tried.
I was using a Personal Touch razor for years, then the blades vanished. Now I'm using a Sensor Excel. Not bad but the handle doesn't sit very well in my hand, so it's somewhat uncomfortable to use.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
rivka, I'm thinking more of a change in razor/cream with each shave.
hmm.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
That may be more practical, but it will likely introduce more variables. (How dry your skin is on that day, how humid the air, recent variations in diet, etc.)
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I went for the practical approach.
I'm going to link the candidiates and reviews I've done so far, but fair warning ***possily offensive language*** contained in my blog.
I like this idea. It'll be interesting to see your results.
I do think, though, that you are doing yourself a disservice by not including some of 'male'-oriented products in your test -- but, of course, that would simply add more variables.
FWIW, I have used skintimate [I was out of shaving gel -- my wife is generous], and found that I didn't really like it. It wasn't so much that I smelled girly (although I don't think that I'd use it on a regular basis) -- but that it wasn't quite thick enough for my (rather tough) beard.
It might be enough for legs, though.
EDIT: In terms of methodology, I'd be inclined to do the reverse of what you're doing -- I'd test each razor with each of the creams. But I suppose it doesn't really matter.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Skintimate shave gel stinks. Don't use it. I like Gillette, but I haven't tried your third option. Also, the razor I use (and love) is not in your test. I'll try to find out what it is when I get home.
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
God shave your legs, Jamie.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
It's a Venus, the women's equivalent of the Mach III.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
The Mach III is what I use -- I don't think that I'd consider switching to anything else except maybe a straight edge.
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
For future testing, you should consider L'Occitane--a line of products developed in Provence. They have a travel oil that's supposed to be excellent for men with sensitive skin, and can be used alone or with a shaving gel/cream. l'occitane travel oil Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I love that you know what my razor is when I don't and I use it every day. Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Yes, but I have an amazing memories for useless facts.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I've tried a Venus. It was only a notch above the Noxzema for my legs.
Zal, I would, but I don't want to smell like a boy. There's already one boy around here. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I had a bad day yesterday... the kind where you need to leave work to go home, throw your clothing in the washing machine (or incinerator) and have a shower, before you can return to work. A really bad day.
When I got home, I took a shower, and another, and another. Three consecutive showers. I didn't even turn off the water in between each. Now, I know that this sounds like just one big long shower, but it is different, trust me. There is an order to taking a shower -- the wetting down, the order of the lathering, the order of the shower accessories used, the order of the rinsing. You know -- don't pretend you don't. Well, at the beginning of shower number three, I spied my Intuition shaver sitting demurely in its spot, and thought about how much cleaner I would feel if I shaved off any extraneous hair. Shaved legs, feet, underarms, over arms, hands, wrists, belly, neck, pretty much everywhere. (Not that I am freakishly hirsute. I just had a REALLY bad day)
Glorious. Not a nick. Not a bump. Smooth, clean clean clean, all over.
Sigh.
Today was a much better day. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Tante, the intuition, when I tried it, tore up my legs. It was awful...for me. For others, I'm glad it works.
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