I shaved on Thursday for the first time in about a week, which is about how often I usually do it. I shaved again just now in anticipation of going out tonight, and for the love of monkeys, you'd think I used a cheese grater to do it. I even made sure to use a fresh blade, but nooooooo, let's have whole patches of little micro-nicks all around my Adam's apple and on my jawline. And this happens almost every time I shave more than once or twice a week. *sigh*
One time I even tried the beard-removal cream they sell for gentlemen of color who get really bad razor burn. My beard said, "hah, NOPE", while my skin looked like I had a mild sunburn. So much for that...
Even if I never do transition, maybe I should get laser or electrolysis, just so I never have to deal with this again. *grumble*
In happier news, I have a new skirt and a new pair of cute flats to debut tonight!
Comments
If you have a slow growing beard that is indeed a problem
I am post-op but in my first outings I found a slow beard has serious drawbacks: You can't get a good shave every day, it doesn't grow out enough. Consequently I had to use a ton of beard cover until I had done a full electrolysis, which was not fun as I had very thick bristles.
Getting rid of it would give you a ton of confidence at least on the appearance level.
The perils of a light beard
I suffer the perils of a light beard as well. The only way I can get a good shave is with a blade because the guards on my Norelco simply push the hairs over and won't pick them back up to cut them. I had the same trouble with safety razors when I was in my twenties and had to shave with a straight edge (cut throat) razor. If I don't shave everyday, the Norelco is really a laugh. The longer hair simply refuses to find its way to the blades. I might just as well comb it . This is true even if I only let it go a few extra hours. My only chance with the electric is once every twenty-four hours whether I need it or not. Even then, the result is scratchy stubble on long the jaw line.
The real problem is that my skin is sensitive and even using a gel it come away feeling raw for several hours.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Using a good safety razor,
Using a good safety razor, you may have to experiment with blade brands.
One thing I can recommend is to do a search for an adjustable safety razor - they allow the blade edge angle to be adjusted slightly. Another to recommend is spend the money for the more expensive shave soaps. The last suggestion is that almost everyone that shaves, due to those four million blade razors, pushes too hard. With a sharp blade, you shouldn't have to put any pressure at all on the skin. Just gliding the razor down the skin should be all the pressure necessary.
Some sites.
www.badgerandblade.com
www.shaveplace.com (or www.emsplace.com)
www.classicshaving.com
www.leesrazors.com
There are more, but the badgerandblade forums are a good place to start for information.
Whatever you do - don't use a combed razor. (DE with a comb cover). They're much more aggressive, and are best for heavy beards, or forgetting to shave for a week or two.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Last night, I took off 2
Last night, I took off 2 weeks of beard at once, with a DE razor. (Personna blade). By showering first, then thoroughly soaping up the beard, I was able to shave reasonably well. Take off a bit, rinse the blade, take off some more, rinse, repeat. (I use a stainless steel bowl to rinse the hair out). it took about 20 minutes, but no cuts, no burning, and no beard :)
The key is no pressure, and taking your time. The razor will shear off without any pressure, and going over twice or more is fine as long as your face is well lubricated.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I have *very* sensitive skin.
I have *very* sensitive skin. Always have. I also have clumsy hands. Basic set of allergies: wool, latex, spandex, polyester, aloe vera, perfume, certain soaps, all sunscreen, etc.
I use a Seiko Cleancut shaver. I think it had long since been discontinued, but it was still available from various resellers. It is expensive, and high-maintenance, but allows a reasonably close dry shave without all the cuts and scratches.
Laser
Depending on the color of your hair (The darker the better) and your skin (The lighter the better) Laser hair removal can work wonders. At the time the Doctor said I had Hirsutism (very hairy), he used a bunch of other big words. I am guessing, depending, that face and neck hair removal could be <$1000. Mine was $7,000 in 2005 but they did my whole body. Sadly, it worked great everywhere except my face, because it had started to go grey. I was one of those people who had to shave every single day. 10 years later it is still gone.