Shaving before being on T

[Siege]

I'm not on T (yet), but I still shave my face. Mainly to keep my sideburns blunt, and to get rid of the telltale peach fuzz on my cheeks and chin--it's surprisingly helpful in not getting misgendered in close quarters (on the bus, train, etc. ...though none of it matters once I open my mouth to speak).

The biggest problem I have, though, is skin irritation and razor burn, and the occasional ingrown hair. What am I doing wrong when I shave? I know T is supposed to make one's skin coarser and tougher, but what can I do to soothe my skin, now?

If it helps, I use a multi-blade razor and shaving cream, then witch hazel after I'm done to help with acne and to try to reduce irritation. Would I be better off getting one of those safety razors I've been hearing so much about?

[AdamMLP]

I've never managed to get razor burn, ingrown hair or cut myself shaving my face - also pre-T - although I do on other parts of me. I shave pretty sloppily while I'm in the shower without a mirror because that's just where the razors are kept, and I'm too lazy to get out of the shower to do it. I don't know what type of razor I use, it's got several blades and says 'Wilkinson sword hydro' on the handle. It's one of those replaceable blade thingies. I only use very cheap shaving foam as well.

Do you shave with the hair or against it? Shaving against it can cause ingrown hair apparently so I don't do that. Only using sharp razors should help too.

[Siege]

I shave in the direction of the hair, but still get razor burn. Maybe I'm using too much pressure? I don't know. I think I'm going to see what I can do about picking up a new/different razor after my day is done. Maybe that'll help.

[Jared]

Have you tried shaving first in the direction of the hair and then against? I use disposable razors so I don't think that's the problem. My skin is a disaster because of acne but this is working for me pretty well.

[Siege]

Have you tried shaving first in the direction of the hair and then against? I use disposable razors so I don't think that's the problem. My skin is a disaster because of acne but this is working for me pretty well.

Get some cotton balls and a bottle of witch hazel. It helps cut down on my acne. Just soak a cotton ball in it and put it all over your face once in morning, once at night.

I'll try the with-against this weekend and see how it works.

[Jared]

Thanks, I tried almost everything cause my mom is a beautician. Before T it seemed like the acne has gone forever but now it came back, no matter what I do, but I'll give it a try 
I hope it will work for you too, a cis friend of mine told me to shave like this and for me it works. 

[Simon]

Everybody is going to think this is crazy but the BEST stuff to use when you shave your face is hair conditioner. One time I ran out of shaving cream and my dad told me that is what he used when he was in the Civil Air Patrol. Works like a charm too and makes your face moisturized at the same time.

I use either conditioner or cheap Barbasol shaving cream (the gels suck, imo), a 5 blade razor, and COLD water. Hot water makes blades expand microscopically and you will cut yourself far more often. Hot water also opens your pores and can cause irritations after shaving.

[aleon515]

I tried this yesterday, and had no problems. Didn't help getting gendered correctly though.

I was going to ask about this, so here goes. I bought this gel and it smells amazingly awful. I just want foam that smells like what my dad used.

I don't want to hijak the thread but thought this all comes under suggestions for shaving.

BTW, I can't really tell which way is with the hair or again it.


--Jay J

[AdamMLP]

BTW, I can't really tell which way is with the hair or again it.

I just think of a beard and what that does because it's been so long since I've had anything that's not been shaved off.  I assume that the upper lip hair grows downwards, the lower lip hair grows downwards as well, and then I shave from my chin up towards my ears.  If I remember I shave under my chin from my neck to my chin.  I've never had any problems doing it like that.

[Simon]

BTW, I can't really tell which way is with the hair or again it.

Um, the best way I can explain it is when you rub the hair the way that it lays down would be "with the grain".

When you rub the hair the opposite way and makes it stand up would be "against the grain".

Hope that helps.

[DriftingCrow]

Best shaving article ever: http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/

And here's How To Prevent Razor Burn: http://artofmanliness.com/2009/07/16/how-to-prevent-razor-burn/

Maybe you just have sensitive skin, I'd try using something other than Witch Hazel. I tried using it before and it just turned my skin red and it never helped me with acne.

I have to shave a little even though I am pre-T, but I just dry shave (I know it sounds awful). I only have to shave my chin and part of my upper lip, and I am just too lazy and rushed (hey, I have to leave my house at 5:30 am) to bother shaving properly. I don't have any irritation at all though, so I don't think I need to get all lathered up. I just go nice and light, and I always use a really sharp razor.

[Siege]

...I use either conditioner or cheap Barbasol shaving cream (the gels suck, imo), a 5 blade razor, and COLD water. Hot water makes blades expand microscopically and you will cut yourself far more often. Hot water also opens your pores and can cause irritations after shaving.

Would 3-in-1 work? I don't have any 'actual' conditioner. I also picked up some Aveeno natural shaving gel today since I've always had good luck with their face wash. And I didn't know cold water was better for shaving. Huh. Another thing to try this weekend.

[Siege]

Best shaving article ever: http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/

And here's How To Prevent Razor Burn: http://artofmanliness.com/2009/07/16/how-to-prevent-razor-burn/

Maybe you just have sensitive skin, I'd try using something other than Witch Hazel. I tried using it before and it just turned my skin red and it never helped me with acne.

I have to shave a little even though I am pre-T, but I just dry shave (I know it sounds awful). I only have to shave my chin and part of my upper lip, and I am just too lazy and rushed (hey, I have to leave my house at 5:30 am) to bother shaving properly. I don't have any irritation at all though, so I don't think I need to get all lathered up. I just go nice and light, and I always use a really sharp razor.

I use witch hazel primarily to take care of acne. I've noticed that when I don't use it, I get breakouts like crazy. It's worked for me so far.

[Simon]

Would 3-in-1 work? I don't have any 'actual' conditioner. I also picked up some Aveeno natural shaving gel today since I've always had good luck with their face wash. And I didn't know cold water was better for shaving. Huh. Another thing to try this weekend.

I dunno about the 3-in-1 stuff, lol. I just use my gf's Tresemme' conditioner. Yeah, the cold water works well for me. I've got a full beard worth of hair and when I shave I rarely get irritation.

I remember when I couldn't wait for facial hair. Now when it's long it's thick and I have to use clippers to buzz it down where I can shave it and it's a bit annoying.

[Siege]

I dunno about the 3-in-1 stuff, lol. I just use my gf's Tresemme' conditioner. Yeah, the cold water works well for me. I've got a full beard worth of hair and when I shave I rarely get irritation.

I remember when I couldn't wait for facial hair. Now when it's long it's thick and I have to use clippers to buzz it down where I can shave it and it's a bit annoying.

Holy cow.

[Simon]

Just snapped this real quick. I'm Pre-T and this is my face fuzz (I start T in 2 weeks). The shorter stuff is not shaving in 4 days. Longer fuzz about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I'm telling you guys...shaving gets old after awhile.

[aleon515]

Just snapped this real quick. I'm Pre-T and this is my face fuzz (I start T in 2 weeks). The shorter stuff is not shaving in 4 days. Longer fuzz about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I'm telling you guys...shaving gets old after awhile.

That's *peach fuzz*?!  Man you got a beard. I got peach fuzz. Your own T levels must be very high.

--Jay J

[Oliver-Christoph]

Just snapped this real quick. I'm Pre-T and this is my face fuzz (I start T in 2 weeks). The shorter stuff is not shaving in 4 days. Longer fuzz about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I'm telling you guys...shaving gets old after awhile.

How do you get so much hair? Lol
I'm jelly.

[Simon]

How do you get so much hair? Lol
I'm jelly.

I shaved today (since I got a haircut) and all that is left is a goatee. I think a mixture of a naturally low T level (due to an androgen causing tumor I'm having a hysto for Friday) and shaving since I was 15 (I'm 31 now).

The day will come when shaving is a pain in the butt (a daily chore). Just wait...you'll see.

[wheat thins are delicious]

I shaved today (since I got a haircut) and all that is left is a goatee. I think a mixture of a naturally low T level (due to an androgen causing tumor I'm having a hysto for Friday) and shaving since I was 15 (I'm 31 now).

The day will come when shaving is a pain in the butt (a daily chore). Just wait...you'll see.

Shaving will not stimulate hair growth.  The advancement of your hair growth is likely due to your T level and the natural aging process.