So what secrets do you have for a really close shave? Currently I use a gel, Mach III razor, and unscented after shave. I still end up with beard shadow right after shaving. Going to get some dermablend and undergo treatment for hair removal (haven't decided what method yet) but until then, how do you get a really close shave?

Hair conditioner!

Yes- conditioner.  Also shave in each direction (you get a closer cut shaving against the grain of the hair growth but at the expense of a bit more skin irritation).  The amount of pressure affects it some too - I haven't been able to get it right every time.  Too little pressure you don't get a close cut - too much and I think the blades deform and you don't get close.

Good luck
Lori

So with the conditioner do you apply it before the shaving gel or instead of?

I can try to shave closer but I am concerned about irritation and redness and I try to shave in both directions but again, have trouble with irritation.

Jane

Shaving against the grain is the only way for me, but that results in blood, irritation, and razor burn.  About the best I can do is shave normally with a razor and then use my electric shaver afterwards to get a bit closer.  I still have a permanent 5 O'clock shadow no matter how close I get, hence my avatar.

I liked the mach3 razor when I used to shave.  Definitely shaving both ways with and against the grain is the way to get a very close shave, but I always got a lot more irritation that way.  I also found that the more sensitive shave creams helped.

I still have some stragglers left after electro, they grow pretty slowly these days, but are persistent.

I shave using a Gillette fusion razor and just water. no gel, cream or anything.

Tried the conditioner this morning and it really helped -- thanks!

As for the Mach III I'm a big fan. Got a free one in the mail years ago (maybe 10???) and I've been hooked ever since. What a marketing ploy that was!

Jane

I can't personally go against the grain either, it results in too much irritation. Once thing that does help for me if shaving a second time at a 90 degree angle to the grain (instead of 180 for 'against the grain'). It doesn't do much, but it gets rid of a bit of the shadow.

I'm also going to try conditioner now ^^

Quote from: Rainbow Brite on April 15, 2014, 04:29:54 AM
I shave using a Gillette fusion razor and just water. no gel, cream or anything.

I used to do that before I started moisturizing. Got a kit with facial cleanser, "beard lube" and moisturizer and started using it as per directions. The other day I noticed I had missed a spot and touched it up after I had washed the lube off. Big mistake. Felt like I was shredding my face. Moisturizing and exfoliating has my skin feeling just like my wife's and I'm not even on HRT!

OK, most of my face had not been shaved in over 40 years up to the last few weeks.  So here I am in a new learning curve at age 60 (soon to add one more number).  I am sort of still in beard withdrawal...

I have both the Mach III and the Fusion - and neither really get the face smooth.  I have tried make up once and that was a rather strange trip.  It would seem I need to find a way to get a closer shave.

The hair conditioner will get a try.

Is the electric shaver really a decent bet?  My Dad had one of those in the nursing home, and I got to clean it out for him when I visitied.  The stuff jamming the cutter heads was not little pieces of hair but rather lots of little flakes of dead skin.  That sort of put me off, to be truthful.

So, I also am looking for good ideas.


Erin

Quote from: Dee Marshall on April 15, 2014, 07:58:03 AM
I used to do that before I started moisturizing. Got a kit with facial cleanser, "beard lube" and moisturizer and started using it as per directions. The other day I noticed I had missed a spot and touched it up after I had washed the lube off. Big mistake. Felt like I was shredding my face. Moisturizing and exfoliating has my skin feeling just like my wife's and I'm not even on HRT!

I know this is a bit presumptive, but can you offer the brand name for this kit?


Erin

Jane,

I have used the Mach III and the Fusion. I find I get a better shave with the Fusion. It seems to just get closer. Still have some trouble with the chin, but have started laser and it's definitely making a difference. Haven't tried conditioner on my face, usually use facial soap to get a lather, but have used it on my legs and it definitely works.

Quote from: ErinWDK on April 15, 2014, 08:02:47 AM
I know this is a bit presumptive, but can you offer the brand name for this kit?


Erin

Glad to. I was waiting for someone to ask before I shilled. The brand is "Jack Black" and they sell it at Sephora. I like the results, although I still get visible shadow even when my face is baby smooth. Right now I'm lulling my beard into a false sense of security, hee, hee! Letting it grow in enough to tear it out by the roots (wax it) on my throat. That area never seems to feel smooth no matter what I do. I would much prefer electrolysis, but I don't know when or if that's going to become practical. Question to the room. I know that waxing is supposed to be a no-no if you're ever going to do electrolysis. Is there a safe number of times you can do it? Is there a time period since you last waxed when electrolysis becomes safe again?

Feeling a lot of disphoria every time I look in the mirror right now, not to mention feeling old seeing all the grey in the beard.

Quote from: Rachmelia on April 15, 2014, 08:18:40 AM
Jane,

I have used the Mach III and the Fusion. I find I get a better shave with the Fusion. It seems to just get closer. Still have some trouble with the chin, but have started laser and it's definitely making a difference. Haven't tried conditioner on my face, usually use facial soap to get a lather, but have used it on my legs and it definitely works.

I've tried conditioner on my legs for shaving as well, and I've found that it does really work a lot better than shaving cream!  But I haven't tried conditioner on my face yet, but I would be willing to try anything for a closer shave. I also use a four blade razor and I always go against the grain when shaving.

My dear ladies of Susan's, I'm gonna speak from back before when I was shaving my legs and such.

I actually found that using a cheaper razor can work better than an expensive razor. Being half blind without my glasses, I had to do it on the side of the tub too, which helped when getting a closer shave for longer it seemed.

Now for the face, my grandpa always said that he prefers a lady's razor to a man's. This is probably because they can be gentler on the skin.

A big thing that helps getting a close shave, Do Not Dry Shave. If you have to do touch ups, still wet the spot. Then less likely to get cuts.

All right, I'm sick of my girl mode. Back to dude move.

Reaver

I always scrub my face with a wash rag soaked in hot water before I shave. But it's also a lot easier since I had the orchi and the regrowth slowed way down.

Here is my routine, I'm fair skinned with dark/black hair so:

0. Hot shower
1. Regular shaving cream
2. Shave with the grain, Gillette 4 or 5 blade facial (men's) razor, rinse with cold water.
3. Moisturise, I like to use Aloe Vera gel, the green stuff, it's cheap and effective and has a cooling effect.
4. Shave a second time, this time at a 90 degree angle to the grain, rinse with cold water.
5. Moisturise using a proper moisturiser or apply makeup primer to your face.

Here is my full makeup routine:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,162340.msg1393446.html#msg1393446

let me ask you please why you are not going on laser/ electrolysis face treatment?\
thx

Can't speak for others, just for myself.

It really helps to know how to get a close shave even while doing laser, since it takes a really long time and lots of treatments before one sees results. The place where I am doing laser doesn't let me treat my face more often than once a month, and at first they wanted it to be once every two months.

I've done 3 laser treatments and my shadow is still fierce. Especially above the lip area.