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Topic: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving paradox (Read 5324 times) |
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Themba
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Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving paradox
« Thread started on: Mar 14th, 2005, 4:01pm » |
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Warning long post ahead:
For anyone who is not familiar with the term peudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), it is technical term given to ingrown hairs, razor bumps, shaving irritation. Being an AfricanAmercian male, I am in the group most affected by this problem. It is not exclusive to my racial group. The problem arises mostly from having very curly hair. I have a super curly beard. My stubble lays so flat on my face at times, even I confuse some fo them for possible ingrown hairs. Most of the electric shaving tools I have used so far have had to do battle with these tightly coiled hairs. I am surprised that I can manage such an ingrown/bump free shave. Every time I get a better shave I want an even better one.
One of the definitions in the Merriam-Webster dictionary for paradox is: "one that possesses seemingly contradictory qualities or phases"
The paradox comes from the fact that I want a super close shave more likely resulting in PFB, but to eliminate PFB in my case would mean getting a less closer shave. Maybe I am asking for what I cannot get short of laser or electrolysis.
The results are surprising in my case. Some razors and clippers designed to give me a less closer shave actually caused me more PFB. Slot headed shavers, while eliminating razor bumps, caused me ingrowns. Some clippers did as well. What I learned was that with such flat lying curly hair as mine letting my hair grow past a certain stubble length help to cause this problem. I have to keep shaving regularly. This is one of the things they recommend to fight PFB believe it or not. In my severe case a not so close shave means having a low trimmed beard, above the length of a shadow. This is not practical in my professional life.
What I have found so far is that my beard lays so impossible flat and is very thick and course, that I need a professional clipper (Oster T-fininsher with shaving blade) to trim it down. Even then, I have to turn the trimmer upside down with the moving blade to my skin to trim my beard down. It is the only way to cut my longer curly curlies down. I is also very quick prep for my electric shave, instead of wasting my time with the trimmers built into most shavers.
The next phase of my shave is what I am still trying to perfect, and that is finding the right electric shaver. I need a shaver that shaves super close without lifting and cutting my hair. I used a panasonic double foil for a while and then switched to a Wahl Lift n' Wash. The Wahl has been great. Virtually no ingrowns. Now, once again I am not satisfied. I want a still closer shave. I supposed I could be happy with the Wahl, but I could have been happy with just the Oster clippers.....or my original Panasonic......
I am thinking about going back to Panasonics for either the 8163 or a pro curve 80xx model, But I keep wondering if a Norelco without the lifters will be able to cut my flat curlies better than the foils, but without ingrowns. I have heard that Norelcos and curly hair are not a good combo. However, my main concern is whether the Norelcos can cut my flat laying curlies. I may be buying Jim's constant recomendation for a Norelco: a Reflex?! model. Jim, I think I read in some of your previous post that you have slightly curly hair.
Lots of talk on this site so far about the new Panasonic 8163. While I doubt that anyone here can de-throne me as the curly beard king, I would still like any possible input about irritation or ingrowns with the new Panasonic model
A little info about my shaving methods (total 5 to 7 minutes overall time)
1: Wash face with plain soap made from olive oil found at health food stores. (Kiss My Face)
2: I will use a firm toothbrush to remove any possible trapped ingrowns, and also to prevent them. Works great for me. My version of a beard lifter.
3: I use homemade shaving oil with jojoba, tea tree and myrrh. More for PFB prevention than for ease of shaving.
4: Trim down any long curlies with my trusty Oster clippers.
5: Currently shaving with the Wahl lift n' Wash
6: Last but not least, I use Bump Patrol. (Like Tend Skin, but readily available in Wally Mart.) I moisturize with Nivea facial toner.
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Jesse
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #1 on: Mar 14th, 2005, 6:41pm » |
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For people who have severe razor bumps etc, I would recommend the ES-1000 Ultra Smooth Bump Control Razor from Remington.
Here is the link below:
http://www.remington-products.com/usa/products/mshavers/es1000.html
It won't be baby smooth like the 8163, but it may control your problem with the hairs,
Another thing you may want to try if you want to use the Norleco is to take the lifters out.
http://www.koshershaver.org/
Jewish traditions (mainly Orthodox I think) prohibit the Lift & Cut features from being used since it destroys the beard it self. They will either remove the lift & cut feature for free or they have a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it.
Happy hunting!
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chuckknight
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #2 on: Mar 15th, 2005, 12:09am » |
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I would warn you against using anything with "Lift 'n Cut" heads. Here's how they work. They're designed to literally pull the hair out of the skin slightly, clip it off, and then let it retract to underneath the skin.
A recipe for ingrown hairs, I would think.
Try it if you wish...you may be lucky, and be a perfect match for the rotaries. But, knowing how the lift 'n cut system works, I'd be wary. If you wish to try one, the Coolskin line receives unusually good reviews...the ones you use in the shower. I personally use a Panasonic foil, and my wet shaves are even closer than my dry shaves. I would expect that the same holds true for the rotaries.
So, why is a "shadow beard" unacceptable at your office? Beards, especially if short and kept neatly trimmed, look quite handsome on some men. 
-- Chuck Knight
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| « Last Edit: Mar 15th, 2005, 12:11am by chuckknight » |
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Jesse
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #3 on: Mar 15th, 2005, 12:39am » |
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I agree with Chuck and the Norelco heads. That's why IF you want to use the Norelco, go to the Kosher Shaver site and remove the lift and cut feature.
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bareface
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #4 on: Mar 15th, 2005, 05:35am » |
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on Mar 15th, 2005, 12:39am, Jesse wrote:| I agree with Chuck and the Norelco heads. That's why IF you want to use the Norelco, go to the Kosher Shaver site and remove the lift and cut feature. |
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I sometimes wonder whether it is the nature of rotaries which is the problem, slightly twisting the hairs at a microscopic level as they cut, akin to rotary mowers which seem to cause more damage to lawns than cylinder mowers; which is why the later is used on cricket wickets and bowling greens. I know of no evidence to support this, but perhaps there is a research paper waiting to be written by a dermatologist?
Themba has already tried shavers marketed for PFB and found that his problem was aggravated by these and so I don't think that Jesse's suggestion of: ES-1000 Ultra Smooth Bump Control Razor from Remington is going to help him.
On a personal level I really wanted to use a philishave because they looked cool and high-tech and strugged with ingrowing hairs for a year using both a sensotec and then a coolskin. Prior to the Philishave I had had a full beard, which I grew when I was about 21 as a remedy for pseudofolliculitis. For the last 4 months I have been using a Panasonic and although I still get ingrown hairs - they are much less numerous and less frequent.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 15th, 2005, 12:27pm by bareface » |
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Themba
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #5 on: Mar 15th, 2005, 10:27am » |
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I have not use the Remington ES1000 model, I have used older slot headed shavers. In all fairness I am sure these are good solutions. You just can't try to use them to get a close shave. If you try to shave to close you will still get ingrown. Jesse, I definitely intend to try a Norelco without the lifters, however, I think Bareface may be right about the nature of rotaries. Right now the panasonic is my main choice. However, the Reflex is cheap enough that I can at least give it a try.
I work for UPS as a Computer Engineer which puts me in the white collar category. UPS has very strict grooming policies for these types of employees. I have seen a manager give a can of shaving cream and a razor to one of my co-workers who had a 5 o'clock shadow. I would not say such and extreme is UPS policy, but it shows you the mentality of those where I work. No beards, moustache should not be below the side of the lips, sideburns can't be below the bottom of the ears......
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texasguy
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #6 on: Mar 16th, 2005, 2:14pm » |
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The very nature of the Norelco will cut each hair with a sharp angular point. That point will probably become an ingrown with curly hair. I have tried both ways on a Norelco with the lifters and without. It seemed less ingrowns without the lifters. I have an ES-1000 but as my former post stated you won't get a baby smooth shave ,any foil will probably get you the closest shave without the pfb. I'm currently using a Remington MS-004. I still get a few ingrowns but so far it's the best compromise for a close shave.
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electronovice
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #7 on: Mar 16th, 2005, 8:30pm » |
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I don't know that I'd challenge you for "the title," but I've had a lot of trouble with ingrowns and razor bumps over the years.
Blades tended to produce horrendous ingrowns. The Norelco Quadra produced both and didn't give the smooth, close shave I'd hoped for - especially along the jaw line.
I switched 2 1/2 weeks ago to the Panasonic ES8163 and could not be happier. I use it try - tried it wet for two days over a weekend and found it caused the bumps to return. Since then, I've used it dry and I've had no problem - and a great shave.
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Themba
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #8 on: Mar 16th, 2005, 11:27pm » |
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Electronovice, that is what I wanted to hear about the 8163. I hope I have the same fortune as you. I think I am definitely going to get another Panasonic. In the mean time I decided to give my old slot headed shaver a try again .It does trim curly hair very well. I have to wait and see if in get any ingrowns. By the way, with my current shaving practices PFB is very rare for me. Even when I get an ingrown, it never gets a chance to get inflamed. My beard lifter toothbrush removes it easily, and Bump Patrol works very well.
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binyomin
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Re: Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) shaving parado
« Reply #9 on: Nov 16th, 2007, 08:10am » |
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As a Jew, I did the whole kosher shaver thing when I had to remove my beard for work. I can get a fairly close shave, and only from time to time I get a bump, primarily on my lower neck or around my chin. My problem is compounded by acne. I use lectric shave for sensitive skin, they probably have a better solution.
I was talking to a determatologist last week and he said that you don't want your hair too short, and that you would look like you have a 12:00 shadow instead of a 5:00 shadow.
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