Thread: Hot towel technique

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

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

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

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.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

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?

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.