Thread: hot towel - is it worth it?

I think it is essential, especially if you're not just getting out of the shower. Like JimmyHad I microwave a moist towel-30 seconds in mine. If I skip the hot towel the shave is less enjoyable, I think for me, and the razors.
Somebody told me thick facial hair had the same hardness as equal diameter pure copper. I don't know that it is all that, but, hot towels ease the way for the razor- and therefore your face.
People I know with sensitive skin won't even shave without the towel first. But, like most every aspect of wet shaving- whatever works for you.
There are people who shave with cold water....on purpose! Not me.
If your towel cools too quickly get a thicker one, and try the microwave.
Take care,
Ed
quicknicker

There is another thing that one can do if you have the time. After the first pass, lather up and re-apply a hot towel.....very nice! Whether the original hot towel it is needed or not may depend on a lot of factors. Beard type, how long is the shower before the shave and I am sure there are other things that could come to light.

Take Care,
Richard

I agree the hot towel doesn't do much for me,although you might try this,I got it from an old hairdresser believe it or not,she said to put a little hair conditioner on my mug before lathering,and it seems to make my shaves smoother,and its not as gooey as pre-shave oil.YMMV

Hair conditioner will make a difference, I usually do a good facial scrub followed by la brisk lather of my face and then always as hot a towel as I can stand for abouit 3 minutes, now maybe it doesn't do much for the shave, not sure about that one, but it makes the whole shaving process much more relaxing.

Have a good one chaps, and or course a BBS for all!!

tinkersd of SRP

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I used to do it religiously and then tried without and there was no difference. Of course I always shower before I shave. What I did do is switch the hot towel to after shaving and I like that better. So it's shave, hot towel then cold water splash then alum and then witch hazel. To those who think the hot towel cools too quickly make sure it's not your face getting use to the heat and it only seems cool.

Yep. Hot towel after the shave is amazing. Hot towel, leave to dry, aftershave, heaven!

When I use a hot towel before the shave, it is all about the experience. I find it really relaxing and it just adds to the pleasure of the shave. I have tried the hot towel many different ways and to me, they all were nice. I have pretty hot tap water here so no micro-wave. Hot towel no. 1 with pre-shave is nice. No. 2 with lather of choice pre-shave is nice. Shave is nice. Hot Towel no. 3 after the shave bare face is nice. Cold towel which I guess is no. 4 is nice followed by AS balm or splash. There are so many products out these days and even the way the barbers do things are different so experimentation to develop your personal preference is a lot of fun.

The biggest problem I have with the hot towel regiment is finding the time to do it.

Lynn

+1"Now I'm happily shaving with cold water..." JimmyHAD

Hello. As you know not everyones beard is the same...I have learned from this site by reading all the great tips that you have to learn what works for you. Personaly a hot towel does wonders for my beard(facial hair). It's not only relaxing but it really help get my facial hair good and soft. I feel that face prep is the most important lesson to learn when shaving with a str8. Well that's my two cents worth.


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Not only before the shave but after the shave too, time permitting . Attached is an excerpt from the 1905 manual chapter 15 "Shaving Made Easy". It's about healthy skin man.


In order, however, to keep the skin in
a healthful condition, a little more elaborate
treatment should occasionally be
given. We recommend the following:
Wash the face thoroughly to free it from
the lather, and then apply a steaming hot
towel, as hot as can be borne. The heat
and moisture draw the blood to the face,
open the pores, and set up a healthful
action of the skin. Next apply witch
hazel, and finally give the face a thorough
massage. There is no other treatment so
beneficial to the skin. With many persons
the flow of blood to the face and
scalp is very sluggish, because of enfeebled
or slow heart action ; and in consequence,
the many small arteries and capillaries
become clogged. Massage stimulates
the circulation, and brings the blood
from the inner centers to the surface,
filling the many minute capillaries just
underneath the skin, thus producing a
tonic eflfect, which gives the skin renewed
vigor and health..

Try it some time you might be surprised. The dudes 100 years ago did.
MIke