My brother and I were cleaning out my mothers house over the weekend, and we found one of my father’s electric razors. It was still in the case, and in really good shape, almost brand new. Since my brother already had one which he doesn’t like, he said I could have this one. I’ve never used one before. I got some of that “lectric shave” type stuff, which burns like mad, and actually using the shaver burned a lot, too. The shave wasn’t too bad, but I was having problems with my throat area. It didn’t seem to shave well there.
I’m a 2x a week twin blade shaver, normally, so I figured that an electric would save me some nicks and cuts. After this test run, I’d almost rather the burn of a stiptic pencil.
Am I doing something wrong? Can you recommend a product or products that will ease the burn? It feels like a sunburn.
Any other advice about electric razors? It’s a Norelco with the 3 circles in a triangle, if that makes a difference. I also have a goatee. I’ve refused to shave my chin for almost 15 years now, and would like to keep it that way.
It shouldn’t burn. My Norelco doesn’t, when it’s in good shape.
Pop off the shaving head cover, then pop out the three screen/blade assemblies (keep each blade with its own screen, they’re mated to each other). Brush out any hair, dust, etc. Clean the blades and screens with a short soak in alcohol. Besides dirt, problems include dull blades, torn screens, and mismatched blades to screens (because someone before you didn’t know to keep them together). If there’s any question about the blades and/or screens, buy a new set of them.
Don’t use any kind of lotion or liquid before shaving. It’s unnecessary, and may cause problems. You want the skin to be nicely dry. A very light application of talcum powder can be used as a pre-shave, if desired.
I have switched back to and from Electric to wet shaves a couple of times over the years, and always noticed a ‘brek-in’ period where it hurts like hell.
Try replacing the blades themselves. Most electrics have replacable blades and you can usually pick them up at Target or WalMart. You’re supposed to change them out every year according to the instructions that came with my last shaver.
Like DakotaDog/ said, Electric razors usually have a breaking in period. It does take a little time for your skin to get used to it.
I’ve been using an electric razor for over 13 years. Here is my routine.
I shower first. This pretty much has the same effect on my skin as using hot water and shaving cream with a regular razor. It opens my skin pores and makes it easier to shave the hair off.
After the shower, and I am dried off, I shave. As I shave I pull the skin taut where I plan to make a pass with the razor. This is the same theory as if you were using a standard razor. Doing this forces the hairs to stand up more.
I always go over each area on my face in 2 opposite directions because not every hair is laying the same way. One pass downward may get most of the hairs, but the 2nd pass upwards almost always gets what I missed the first time. I have the same problem as the OP does in that the hairs around my neck are expecially hard to get. This method helps a lot with that.
For the most part, I think the theory behind shaving with an electric is the same as shaving with a straight razor, but with the added benefit of not cutting your face all the time.
[Bill Cosby comic interlude]
They go the a lot of trouble to put numbers on these things, but no matter what number you turn to you still cut yourself to pieces. All I want is a close shave. Not a self-sacrifice."
[/Bill Cosby comic interlude]
While I do get a better shave with a razor, I regularly use an electric to save my face from bleeding all over. I have really curly hair which tends to grow out about 1/2 a cm and then plunge right back down into the skin. This makes my neck really hard to shave with an electric. That said, it does get easier after a couple of weeks for some reason.
I use both too. I have mole that I frequently cut with a blade so I use a blade on Monday, because I hate to shave on the weekends, and the electric during the week.
There does seem to be about a two-week break-in period for the electric razor. I also think the skin must be completely dry. For this reason I shave before washing my face.
My Norelco doesn’t seem to be quite as close as a blade, but I have yet to cut myself with the electric razor.
If your face was burning before you used the shaver, then you were already having problems with the razor you had been using.
I switch back and forth between electric and razor depending on my mood, and how shaky my hand is that particular morning. There is definitely a break-in period when switching between one and the other.
One hin. Don’t push the razor into the skin, especially the throat. That’s as good as using sandpaper for getting a burn. Just glide it a few times along the surface of your skin, in different directions. Don’t try to get as close a shave as a blade will get.
For me an electric razor is the perfect device for removing all the skin I have on my neck while leaving the 'lil tiny hairs completely unscathed. BURN! BURN! Inigo not like burn!
Mr. Moto said it best for me as well. I can get a better shave and faster using the Mach III, and I don’t look like I rent my neck out to fleas.
You can’t expect an electric razor you just start using to NOT burn. It will burn as your skin becomes adjusted to the new shaving method. This adjustment period is anywhere from three to six weeks depending on your skin type.
Rotary razors, like the Norelco, don’t have screens. Norelco razors feature heads and cutters. The heads are slotted metal disks that are over top of toothed metal disks. These are a LOT more durable than the cutting system of foil razors, which IS a screen system.
Pre-shave lotion or liquid will not cause any problems at all. In fact, it IS necessary, particularly in the humid summer months, when the razor “slips and sticks” rather than glides across the face. Besides, Lectric Shave or Lectric Shave Ultra don’t stay wet on the face, anyway. You always allow 15 seconds for the pre-shave to dry on your face prior to shaving. Lectric Shave or Lectric Shave Ultra both do the job very well, and you can even use said products as an after shave, if so desired.
My cleaning routine is as follows: First off, I shave with a Philishave HQ5401 razor. Once a week, I pull the head/cutter frame from the razor, brushing inside the hair chamber and underside of the frame to remove all whisker dust. Then, I individually brush the three cutters and three combs to remove whisker dust, and put them in rubbing alcohol. (Rubbing alcohol is a lot cheaper than razor cleaner, which is mainly comprised of alcohol, anyway) Then, I dry the cutters and combs with a towel, re-attach them to the frame, and re-attach the frame to the razor. Then, I spray Parks Shave Ease lubricant on the face of the razor’s cutting unit and turn on the razor to distribute the lubricant. If you have any other questions, visit my Electric Razor Rap board.