'23 Intern: I can't clean shave my face.
Hi all.
Thanks in advance to this forum for helping me get my upcoming 2023 summer internship. I'll be working in IB in NYC this summer, if that matters. But here's the thing—I'm about to face a major problem. Every time I shave my face with a regular Gillette or similar razor, it breaks out like crazy. I've tried using those Manscaped-style electric razors without a guard, and while it gets me close, it's not exactly a clean shave. Back in the day, I had some pretty gnarly acne, but I managed to clear it up with accutane and now I use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to keep it at bay. If I take care of myself by getting enough sleep, showering regularly, and eating well, I usually just get a random zit or two, nothing too serious. But the past acne left me with some scarring (not too noticeable unless you stare really hard), and I think that's why I keep getting ingrown hairs on my face, which in turn (I bellieve) leads to the horrible acne when I shave. I've tried everything over the years—exfoliating before shaving, using aftershave, moisturizer, fresh razor blades, shaving cream, even shaving right after a shower—but the result is always the same: my face turns into a pizza within a week. I know looks aren't everything in the workplace, but I go from looking like a slightly scruffy attractive guy to feeling super insecure and worried that others might judge me. So, I need your thoughts on this, especially from those who have experience in banking. How bad would it be if I showed up on the first day clean-shaven and then stuck to using the electric razor for the rest of the summer? What if I was never clean shaven? Even that poses a risk of screwing up my face for about two weeks, as it usually gets worse before it gets better once I let a bit of stubble grow. Let me know what you think—whether you have any potential solutions or if you think it's a big deal at all.
At a large firm that I believe has good culture across the board (might be a giveaway, but the firm tout's a "no asshole" policy"), but its not like I'll be working with only the same 15 chill people in a specific group in the midwest.
Wax your face
Bankers love ordering pizza, you'll be ok.
Jokes aside, you should set up an appointment with a dermatologist. Trust me, there is a way around this. Also ditch manscaped, it's a shit product. Braun has some expensive electric shavers, but you can return them if it results in acne.
It's probably because you have very sensitive skin. The way multi-blade razors work is that some blades pull your hair taut and then the rest cut them beneath their follicles. This leads to a really close shave but the tradeoff is that when the hair grows back it grows under your skin and causes razor bumps. You should try using a single blade razor that doesn't pull at your hair. You might be able to still get a close shave and not get razor bumps/acne.
Was about to post this. Had this issue back in the day but not your extent.
Invest in a safety razor, brush and quality cream. Watch some YouTube videos and try it out.
The typical Gillette razors that are multi blade and whatever just irritate the skin excessively, not the case with a safety razor.
sb on this, started my first shave ever with a safety razor and havent looked back
any "quality" creams that don't lead to skin breakout?
Bro I feel like I wrote this post I have similar problems to you and in ur position as well as an incoming intern.
Can’t you grow a beard? Is your growth dense enough? Very accepted nowadays for men to have beards - most who can, do
I’d just add that if you buy a safety razor / double-edged razor, you should take half an hour out to watch YouTube videos / read up on how to use it effectively.
any links to good vids? or good phrases to search on YT?
Sure- Sven's video is great:
Don't cut corners though - I'd recommend doing it properly and following his guidance. Good luck!
Hello,
Electric trimmer can really help and do 80% of the work with no inflammation. Just using it everyday helps as the cut is not as clean.
On top of it I assume you already know you can moisturise etc. To prevent the skin from being too affected.
But long term would be helpful to see a dermatologist.
Use a SINGLE blade razor. Trust
Buy a Norelco Phillips shaver. I have the same issue when I clean shave, I break out (could also be your shaving cream, I buy alcohol free)Have been using the electric shaver and it leaves an almost clean shave. As long as you shave everyday shouldn't be a problem."Clean shave" isn't really a "must". However, it is important to look clean, presentable and professional. Everyone has their own look. Just make sure you look professional and don't wait too long between shaving.
Wow, that was the long route to ask if need to be clean shaven as an intern. Two pieces of advice here - grow a beard (show up with it and have it well-kept) and be more concise because nobody is trying to read stuff this long in banking
I have this same problem OP. Add to the fact I drop a solid 2-3 points on the 1-10 looks scale when I have a clean shaven face. My solution has been using a beard trimmer and rocking clean-looking (shaved neck and upper cheeks) stubble. Having been in NYC FO roles, it has never been an issue and no one has ever said anything about it being unprofessional. Plenty of folks in the office of all seniority levels have facial hair nowadays. Just don't look like a slob.
If you can't get decent facial hair growth / if you're insistent on going with the clean shave look, i will echo what other folks have said re: look into getting a quality safety razor, shave soap, and brush. Even with that, I still get ingrown hairs, but its far better than using cartridge type razors. Good luck.
See a dermatologist. Seriously.
Same issue. I just rock as close as I can get. No one gives a shit. This is a lot more common for people with naturally extremely curly/coily hair.
Del
Apply Dettol bar soap, leave for about two minutes, use Razor to shave. It should kill most of your breakouts unless you have allergies to bar soap. I hope it helps.
Inventore error omnis dolorem deserunt rerum eveniet occaecati voluptas. Dolor rerum harum dolor reiciendis corrupti omnis dolorem. Ut saepe dicta labore ipsum consequatur. Sunt est est molestiae illo dolores qui.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Nam quo consequatur qui ipsa sunt. Et inventore quo iusto voluptatem repellendus odit asperiores vero. Dolores odit facilis et sunt. Ex et voluptates laboriosam veritatis optio odit. Iure omnis accusantium consectetur ducimus aspernatur non eveniet.
Sint at sunt aliquid eveniet laborum aspernatur. Fugit sequi nam veritatis libero modi nostrum ea. Ut quis architecto repudiandae fuga consequuntur et. Natus expedita dolor earum iste distinctio.
Odit dolores et non autem eum ab dolor. Sequi quibusdam ipsam et. Temporibus velit commodi voluptatem in cupiditate facilis.
Eveniet repudiandae omnis dolores minus est debitis. Minima amet aut ad accusantium ut quisquam consectetur. Et eum aspernatur possimus non aut ut ullam.