text: why do i break out when i shave? every time i shave with a razor, i break out in acne. it seems like electric razors work better but they don't give me as close of a shave. i'll bet you have curly hair too. your problem is likely in-grown hairs.   you know how the commercials say the razors shave below the skin?  well they do.  when the hair tries to grow back out it grows under the skin (which happens more often the curlier your hair is), and gets irritated and you get a zit.  clean a large pin or a needle with alcohol and free up the ingrown hairs when they get painful.  the only preventative solution is to not shave so close.  stick with the electric and don't press too hard.