Sensitive skin + thick beard = nightmare. Help?

[SteveS]

Weird combination I know, but I have really sensitive skin that gets irritated easily, plus a thick beard that grows fast. Most electric razors either don't cut well enough or tear up my face. Currently using a Series 7 but it's not cutting close enough so I end up going over the same areas multiple times, which causes irritation. Thinking about upgrading to something more powerful.


Would the Panasonic Arc6 be overkill? The 84,000 cross-cutting actions per minute sounds aggressive but maybe that's what I need to get it done in fewer passes. Or should I stick with Braun and go to the Series 9? The comfort features might be better for sensitive skin even if it's not as powerful. Anyone with similar skin/beard combo found a good solution?

 

[Rmac86]

Weird combination I know, but I have really sensitive skin that gets irritated easily, plus a thick beard that grows fast. Most electric razors either don't cut well enough or tear up my face. Currently using a Series 7 but it's not cutting close enough so I end up going over the same areas multiple times, which causes irritation. Thinking about upgrading to something more powerful.


Would the Panasonic Arc6 be overkill? The 84,000 cross-cutting actions per minute sounds aggressive but maybe that's what I need to get it done in fewer passes. Or should I stick with Braun and go to the Series 9? The comfort features might be better for sensitive skin even if it's not as powerful. Anyone with similar skin/beard combo found a good solution?

Hi there!

Firstly, that’s not a weird combination at all, as a matter of fact I’ve heard that denser/thicker hair is a genetic factor an the body’s way of protecting the underlying sensitive skin. So don’t think that your alone in this!

I’m in somewhat of the same situation, a tough beard and very sensitive skin. Having tried multiple shaving modalities over the years I have come to a few conclusions with potential solutions for your situation.

Have you considered using a rotary shaver? I ask because it’s the only type of electric razor that works for my growth type. I say this because people with thicker growth tend to have hair that grows in multiple directions, and I am no exception. This necessitates doing multiple passes on the same spot which usually (for me anyway) leads to irritation. Because a rotary cuts in many directions at once the amount of passes needed is reduced, technically lessening the chance of irritation.

Also, rotary blades generally tend to last longer than foils even on tough beards.

If you do go down the rotary path, don’t bother going for the higher end shavers. The likes of the Philips 9000 series, although generally great, use the lift and cut blades which used long term tend to cause ingrown hair and irritation. I’ve found the entry level Philips shavers to be great for this. They use comfort cut blades which cut just above the skin so less likely to cause irritation. I have an old corded Philips HQ5426 with lift and cut heads which gives a great shave but longer term will definitely cause ingrowns. I more often use my more modern norelco 2000 for this exact reason.

 

[SteveS]

Hi there!

Firstly, that’s not a weird combination at all, as a matter of fact I’ve heard that denser/thicker hair is a genetic factor an the body’s way of protecting the underlying sensitive skin. So don’t think that your alone in this!

I’m in somewhat of the same situation, a tough beard and very sensitive skin. Having tried multiple shaving modalities over the years I have come to a few conclusions with potential solutions for your situation.

Have you considered using a rotary shaver? I ask because it’s the only type of electric razor that works for my growth type. I say this because people with thicker growth tend to have hair that grows in multiple directions, and I am no exception. This necessitates doing multiple passes on the same spot which usually (for me anyway) leads to irritation. Because a rotary cuts in many directions at once the amount of passes needed is reduced, technically lessening the chance of irritation.

Also, rotary blades generally tend to last longer than foils even on tough beards.

If you do go down the rotary path, don’t bother going for the higher end shavers. The likes of the Philips 9000 series, although generally great, use the lift and cut blades which used long term tend to cause ingrown hair and irritation. I’ve found the entry level Philips shavers to be great for this. They use comfort cut blades which cut just above the skin so less likely to cause irritation. I have an old corded Philips HQ5426 with lift and cut heads which gives a great shave but longer term will definitely cause ingrowns. I more often use my more modern norelco 2000 for this exact reason.

Thanks Rmac86, really appreciate the detailed response! You're right about the multiple directions - my neck especially grows every which way and that's where I get the worst irritation.


I hadn't really considered rotary shavers because I always heard foil was better for close shaves, but your point about reducing passes makes a lot of sense. If I'm doing 3-4 passes with my Series 7 and still not getting everything, maybe one pass with a rotary would be better overall.


The comfort cut vs lift and cut distinction is something I never knew about. I was actually looking at the 9000 series because of all the hype, but if the entry level models are actually better for sensitive skin that changes everything.


Might try to find one of those 2000 series models you mentioned. Do you know the specific model number? And how's the shave quality compared to your HQ5426?

 

[Jim Elliott]

Welcome aboard, SteveS. Rmac86 is right on the money here.

 

[Rmac86]

Thanks Rmac86, really appreciate the detailed response! You're right about the multiple directions - my neck especially grows every which way and that's where I get the worst irritation.


I hadn't really considered rotary shavers because I always heard foil was better for close shaves, but your point about reducing passes makes a lot of sense. If I'm doing 3-4 passes with my Series 7 and still not getting everything, maybe one pass with a rotary would be better overall.


The comfort cut vs lift and cut distinction is something I never knew about. I was actually looking at the 9000 series because of all the hype, but if the entry level models are actually better for sensitive skin that changes everything.


Might try to find one of those 2000 series models you mentioned. Do you know the specific model number? And how's the shave quality compared to your HQ5426?

You’re very welcome!

My specific model is the 2100, I believe S1211 is the individual version. As far as I know the 2100 is no longer available and has been replaced with the models 2400 and 2600.

From reading up on both the above they seem similar to my 2100 - same heads (SH30), same design and same battery (NiMh I believe). Also both are waterproof, and the 2600 is a wet/dry model that can be used with shaving foam or gel.

Where they differ is both are cordless use only, the 2100 can be used while charging. The 2600 apparently has a slightly more powerful motor which might be a bit better for your tough beard, although the 2100 handles my tough hair with no problems.

In terms of the shave quality vs the HQ5426, the philishave is definitely a closer shave that lasts longer, due to the fact it cuts below the skin. It also cuts slightly quicker than the 2100, possibly due to the fact it has 45 blades (15 per head) vs the 2100 with 27 blades (9 per head). I rarely use it as like I said the lift and cut heads eventually give me ingrown hairs. Lastly the 5426 is a corded only model so only works when plugged in.

Hope this helps!

 

[StevieG]

I have the Phillips Norelco 3600 which is very easy on the skin and shaves quite well. I also have an Arc 5 that shaves a little closer but can cause irritation.