What Causes Chronic Face Shaving Problems (From Nicks)?
Face shaving problems may include rashes, nicks, abrasions, bumps, ingrown hairs, burns, redness and chronic irritation. They are all symptoms of or accompanied by inflammation. There are several factors that cause or contribute to the irritation and inflammation. One is cutting the beard too close.
Wet shaving is accomplished through the use of a straight or safety razor and a lubricant. In the past, a brush was often used to raise the beard to ensure a more even shave, without the risk of nicks or cuts. Brushes are rarely used these days except by some barbers.
**Close Shave?
One of the ways that razor manufacturers differentiate themselves is to include two or three blades. The advertising claim is that the second and/or third blades allow for a closer shave. This may be true. But, the closer the shave, the more likely you are to experience certain face shaving problems.
**Bumps and…
Bumps and ingrown hairs are usually caused by close shaves. Razor bumps can become chronic due to daily irritation and persistent inflammation. In medical terms, this chronic condition is called Pseudofolliculitis barbae. The skin may always feel red and irritated.
**Abrasions, Nicks, Cuts
Close shaves can also cause abrasions, nicks and cuts, particularly if bumps are already present. That should be easy to understand. The head of the bump is cut by the sharp razor. Men with slight skin imperfections get nicks and cuts more often for the same reason.
**Razor Burns
Razor burns are common face shaving problems. They may be caused by failure to use a sharp new blade or by using an improper technique. When straight razors were used, men had to learn the correct technique in order to avoid serious cuts.
They always used a sharp blade. They knew exactly how much pressure to apply and which direction to shave in. They also recognized the importance of taking their time.
**Safety Razors or Straight
Safety razors made it faster and easier for men to shave. As a result, they started experiencing more face shaving problems.
Rashes that appear immediately following a close shave are due to a lack of lubrication. The rash may look similar to a razor burn. In some cases, both may be present (a rash and a burn). The bumps may appear as well.
Redness and raised welts or infected bumps that look like acne pimples are a symptom of chronic or severe razor burn. If a man continues to shave on a daily basis after noticing a razor burn, the problem becomes may be confused with Pseudofolliculitis barbae.
Razor burns do not always appear immediately or even on the same day. It can take as long as two to four days for the rash to appear, which is one of the reasons that some men think the use of a dull blade was not the cause.
**Infection Danger
Other face shaving problems occur when nicks become infected. The bacteria always present on the skin gets into tiny nicks and cuts causing minor to severe infections. Staph infections are often caused by failure to treat a nick properly.
Any of the symptoms mentioned above can be caused or worsened by the use of irritating skincare products, especially those that contain cologne and poisonous alcohols. Allergens and toxins are present in most men’s skincare products. They include fragrance ingredients, artificial preservatives, dyes and petrochemicals.
**How to Treat Shaving Nicks & Cuts.
All of the face shaving problems you have learned here can be prevented. Now that you understand more about the causes, it’s time to learn how to prevent the problems and treat nicks properly. That is the subject of my next article. Please see the author/resource box below for How to Treat Shaving Nicks & Cuts.
By Anonymous
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Razor Bumps