hey, ladies! hope you don't mind a non-trans genetic girl crashing the party.

i have polycystic ovarian syndrome and grow a full beard (no moustache... yet). i've been shaving for over a decade and after a LOT of trial and error have developed a system that mostly works. the problem is that i always lose the battle with ingrown hairs. exfoliating, soaking with a hot washcloth, shaving every other day, fresh blades, minimal passes, light touch, quality shave gel, quality lotion... as if the necessity to shave my face isn't bad enough it all invariably results in a mass of ingrown hairs. not only is it irritating and painful, it's psychologically and emotionally traumatizing. the one naughty thing that i do is shave against the grain, but you know as well as i do that going with it results in a shave that isn't close enough to be touchable. you might be able to relate to living in perpetual fear of having your face touched. i'm frustrated, depressed, and so very, very tired of this. so here i am, in desperate need of your best advice, tips, tricks, snarky comments, and hopefully a little understanding.

also: spearmint tea. it sounds too good to be true. what are your experiences?

I use an electric shave first to get close, and then I go over with a blade.  I get close enough to touch.  I use a Braun.  Very expensive, but worth it.

Also try "Shave Secret".  Works really good, especially with a blade.  Can not say anything about ingrown hairs, I have never had them.

Spearmint tea works good for lessing body hair. 

Have you even tough about laser, to remove the hair.

thanks for the response.

i went electric for a long time with a braun series 1 and was relatively satisfied, but even that resulted in some ingrown hairs (and i'm a klutz and accidentally dropping it damages the foil and results in a cut face). to give you an idea, i can shave my legs with an electric women's shaver and by the next day there will be a huge breakout. and my leg hair rivals my boyfriend's.

will have to give shave secret a try.

as for laser: no insurance and unless my hormones are under control it wouldn't be permanent.

Using products that contain azulene, allantoin and witch hazel can help reduce the redness and swelling. (about.com)

I use Witch Hazel as an aftershave.  Takes the sting out of shaving.

http://www.skinbiology.com/ingrownhairs.html

janet, thanks so much for the advice. i picked up some shave secret and witch hazel, haven't had a chance to use either yet.