Thread: Should whiskers really be soft?

We learned in barber college that the heat from hot towels opens pores and stands the hair up for a closer shave, lather acts as lubrication, and you get the cold towel last to close the pores.

Originally Posted by DennisBarberShop

We learned in barber college that the heat from hot towels opens pores and stands the hair up for a closer shave, lather acts as lubrication, and you get the cold towel last to close the pores.

I heard that a few times, but does anyone know what's so good about opened pores?

Originally Posted by DennisBarberShop

We learned in barber college that the heat from hot towels opens pores and stands the hair up for a closer shave, lather acts as lubrication, and you get the cold towel last to close the pores.

OK, if the idea is that skin pores act like the base ring that locks a Christmas tree in it's stand, I had another analogy in mind but this is a family show, we all know what happens when you open the lock ring. The tree has a tendency to try and fall over. I would think that a skin pore that is closing up would make the hair stand tall while one opening up would allow the hair to lean over.

Not arguing with what barber schools teach just saying .

Bob

Originally Posted by Laurens

I heard that a few times, but does anyone know what's so good about opened pores?

It stings more when you put aftershave on

Well at the moment in Australia, my pores are well and truly open just standing still without the Aircon on…lol.

All a hot towel will do is produce more sweat and a heat rash. Cold water cooling is definitely in order prior to shaving.


Is this open and closed pore and softening of whiskers thing true? or is it like many things from the past, an old wives tale?

Originally Posted by DennisBarberShop

We learned in barber college that the heat from hot towels opens pores and stands the hair up for a closer shave, lather acts as lubrication, and you get the cold towel last to close the pores.

The 1905 Shaving Made Easy booklet tells of using cold water for the fact that it causes the skin to contract, thus making the whiskers stand up better to be cut, and that lather is used for the same purpose, to get between the whiskers and stand the beard up for easier cutting by the blade.

Great little book - worth the read:

http://ia600406.us.archive.org/7/ite...asyw0020th.pdf

Originally Posted by kevinred

Is this open and closed pore and softening of whiskers thing true? or is it like many things from the past, an old wives tale?

Well, for me it is a who knows sorta thing and I do what works for me. I will say that I can imagine what your and mine reaction would be to have a barber straight shave without all the pampering and primping that goes with it. I would feel a little cheated even if all that pampering and primping may not be strictly necessary. Something to be said for the customer feeling they are getting the royal treatment and their monies worth IMHO.

Bob

With all due respect to the Barber's Manual, it's actually a myth that pores open and close....

Originally Posted by Ryan82

With all due respect to the Barber's Manual, it's actually a myth that pores open and close....

Well, there you go it is all a tempest in a teapot. Makes no never mind one way or the other.

Bob

Yes, turns out it's true, your pores can get clogged, but there are no muscles that actually open and close your pores...so, it is all a tempest in a teapot, and it doesn't matter if it's Iced Tea or Hot Tea?????

Thanks Ryan82!!