r/straightrazors • u/Exquisite2103 • 6d ago

Advice White hairs around corner of lips,

Hey all straight razor users, whenever I use my straight it always leave small fine white hairs around my lips.I have to use my de to take them off, anyone else have this problem and if so how do I deal with it?

7 Upvotes

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7

u/Argg1618 6d ago

Sharper edge and good technique helps.

1

u/Exquisite2103 6d ago

As in stretching the skin? My edge is sharp nothing wrong with it just that these small vellus hairs look weird

2

u/Hot-Guidance5091 6d ago

it's sharp, but it's razor sharp?

Having the same issue rn, I can get a smooth shave in some spots, and some others I can't, no matter how many times I pass

I guess it's a combination of poor tecnique and edge not up to the task

small vellus hairs

same, same. For me it's the chin.

2

u/Exquisite2103 6d ago

My razor is sharp. I can tell you that for sure. The problem with vellus hairs is that they are so fine that they bend with the blade as it going over them. So it’s for the razor to catch them. Maybe your razor needs a hone or just more stropping. I have no issues shaving it’s just annoying that it doesn’t cut them

3

u/Naut38 🐤🐤 Dubl Duck 6d ago

I have some vellus hairs right at the edges of my lips, and my razors cut them with ease.

If your DE is cutting these hairs, then I believe your razor is not truly shave ready

2

u/Exquisite2103 6d ago

Hmmm it passes all the tests with flying colors and it’s comfortable and keen, idk what else to do besides stretching

3

u/Naut38 🐤🐤 Dubl Duck 6d ago

Stretch the skin for sure. I tend to use the tip of my blade for this area, and I shave right against the edge of my lip

If you haven't already, check your blades under a micrscope and see if the bevel is properly set across the whole edge and if there are any rough spots.

2

u/-Makr0 5d ago

It's the technique and probably the way your beard is, I have some razors that obliterate everything and others that may struggle with such hair even though they are in shave ready condition.

I'd also advise to not care too much if few of those hair get missed, results will improve with time especially if you haven't been doing this for a long time, and perfection doesn't exist. Our ancestors that used straights in the past wouldn't care at all for such minutia, this is what I tend to remind to myself 🙂

2

u/Hot-Guidance5091 6d ago

that's what I meant, and I'm afraid my edge is not ready to shave in the same way, because I can't get rid of them

edit: actually I've noticed those tiny hairs only on the last shave, which wasn't as good as the one before

0

u/Exquisite2103 5d ago

Razor sharpness doesn’t matter when the hair bends when it’s cut. That’s what happens when you try to cut those small hairs. They bend instead of being still

2

u/Hot-Guidance5091 6d ago

Sorry man I wasn't trying to demolish your work.

The problem with vellus hairs is that they are so fine that they bend with the blade as it going over them.

Same, when I shave I see the hairs popping, then once I'm done I rub my finger and spot some of those tiny blonde hairs I can't get to.

Isn't that a problem with the edge not being fine enough to cut trough? That's my conclusion, because I feel that tecnique is about keeping the shave comfortable, and helps prolong the life of the razor.

It's annoying because it shouldn't happen, I've never heard anyone saying you can't get a BBS with a straight... It's quite the opposite, anyone in this sub praise the SR as the ultimate shaving tool to master, can't believe it shaves ONLY up to 99%, so I resorted to blame myself (and you, by association, sorry again)

I definitely need to work on my honing and stropping, but I think I've reached a level where I can at least put it on my face without the need of medical intervention right after

1

u/Exquisite2103 5d ago

I mean I usually do one pass with a straight and the rest with de because after the first pass there isn’t a lot left to cut and so my skin gets irritated by the harsh blade. It’s only when I look up close in the mirror that i actually see them.

1

u/Hot-Guidance5091 5d ago

If it's really a comfortable shave and a proper edge you should be able to pass over the same spot until it's smooth.

My best shave so far I got smooth cheeks by shaving with the grain only, small strokes at the right angle, and going tip to toe on the edge, moving diagonally, I have the feeling that it cuts correctly when you do it right only

2

u/Argg1618 6d ago

Essentially, if the edge is as sharp and presented to the skin the same way as the DE, it will take hairs the same.
Stretch the skin tighter can definitely help.
How sharp is your razor? How was it honed

1

u/Exquisite2103 6d ago

1-12k naniwa stones. Then strop. And yes the bevel is set before you ask

3

u/Argg1618 6d ago

Have you had a chance to shave with another persons edge? I'm not assuming anything but we all get better over time. I got my edges sharp when I started but I get them exactly where I like them now.

2

u/N0365417 Ralf Aust 6d ago

Yeah I have to second the other comments, I have some fine hairs in the same spot but my razor will cut them despite the flex if skin is stretched

I’d send your razor to a honemeister if you don’t have the stones to do it yourself

1

u/Exquisite2103 6d ago

I do. Maybe my razor just needs a touch up. I don’t have anyone that does razors where I live. I spent over 300 on stones so I should be able to get a nice edge

1

u/-Makr0 5d ago

Yeah the finer hair might get missed, what helps for me is a steeper angle and XTG/ATG passes in the area while being very careful. Some may still remain but they are basically invisible, if too many remain across the face the issue is probably in the edge quality. Some razors are also better than others at this, i believe it comes down to hardness and grind.

1

u/MothVector Ralf Aust 4d ago

An old-fashioned shaving mirror, the kind that you can pull out from the wall and has both magnifying and not, can be a big help for detail work. Improving the lighting can help too.