Printable View
I've tried soaking a towel in hot water, ringing it out & applying to my face. Also tried a rung-out towel heated in the microwave. In both cases the towel cools so quickly it seems pointless having it on for more than 30 seconds. And by the time I reheat the towel my face is cool again. I don't know what I'm aiming for in the pre-shave hit towel department. Any guidance would be really appreciated.
I tend to use a flannel, other towels were too big, soak it in water as hot as I can stand, ring it out but not completely and put on face securing it at the ears with thumbs pulling it tight across the neck. I'll repeat this twice and it's following a hot bath and after preshave cream.
Generally after a bath my face is still pretty warm anyway. I just like the way it feels.
When you're at the barbers they use bigger towels folded in a certain way but they overlap and, I would think, retain heat slightly better.
I use a light weight terry towel that I buy from my Barber & Beauty supply, soak it with water and wrung out, nuked in the microwave and they do a pretty good job of steaming the beard.
keep in mind two things: first your fingers are much more sensitive to heat than your face and once you apply the heated towel your skin sensitivity to heat changes so it doesn't feel as hot very quickly.
It's best to use as thick a towel as you can. Cotton terry is best.
And, don't wring it to just damp! Keep your face over the sink, etc. to catch the drips/dribble and have (some) water in the towel to hold the heat. Works!
Regards,
Howard :)
Forgot to mention that bit :DQuote:
Originally Posted by SirStropalot
Excellent. Thanks heaps.
Keep the advice coming :)
Try going cold! I never thought i'd like it but haven't used hot or warm water in over a month now. Better, smoother shaves have been a result.
That's heresy but I've seen it suggested elsewhere. Couldn't hurt to try. Does it feel as good during the application?Quote:
Originally Posted by brooksie967
The hot towel feels good at first, but that's about it, as far as I can tell because it does cool pretty fast. I cannot tell what it does for the shave, so have not done it in well over a year, and my shaves are great.
Sold!
Ill let you know what I think.
i think i only used the hot towel 2-3 times i really dont like to do it ( prob lazy) and have done the cold water shave ... they all seem to work for me but one thing i feel i gotta have is warm lather ...lol.. if i apply a 2-3 coat and the last one is cold i kinda jus go uggghhh ....lol
Kind of off topic now but after six months of hot toweling I tried a cold shave this AM. Not bad at all and about the same results in terms of smoothness. Certainly saved time not waiting for the hot water to flow. I'll continue it for a few days to try it further...then expect I'll keep it as part of my shaving options. Thanks for the tip! I've since read other threads on cold shaving on SRP. Quite a bit on it, obviously.
Perhaps turn up the thermostat on the water heater....provided you do not have children? My water out of the tap will scald skin. Have to be careful with the hot towel on the face, but sure do love it prior to shave.
For the gentlemen who are performing a cold water shave, do you still soak a towel with cold water and apply it to your face? Or do you skip the towel altogether?
Great info I keep meaning to try a hot towel but always end up showering.
Russell
Cold shave for me over a year! I get closer shaves since I started using it. My main reason was irritation before but I also believe that hot will make your face skin swell slightly. After the shave and the skin returns to normal temp, you feel the stubble. I use cold water, proraso preshave, lather with brush and massage slightly with fingers , then relather with brush. I even keep my creams and soaps, AS balms and alum in the fridge. Nothing feels better to me than COLD AS balm on the face after. You might love it or hate it. Im glad I tried it.Quote:
Originally Posted by mumpig
After reading this and several other threads about hot vs. cold shaving, tonight I tried cold. Really really excellent 2 pass shave with a restored razor I just got back from fellow member Mycarver, and I think I might be sold! there was no irritation, no inflamation, and I only nicked myself once on a mole on my jawline that I have probably nicked every 3rd shave since I was 18, lol. I'll have to try it again tomorrow with a razor I'm more familiar with. Our troops did it in the trenches and foxholes in both world wars, so there might be some to this cold shaving thing...
I do everything exactly the same as you, minus the fridge storage... I need to try that now. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by bill3152
I've noticed this too lately. Less redness & irritation also. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by brooksie967