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What exactly is patting the face after a shave good for? I do it sometimes because it is a custom or habit. I hope it is good for the skin or something like that. Meanwhile my face does seem warm and smooth (I just finished trying out my latest razor, a Shumate Barber DeLuxe 5/8 full hollow spike). Not a bad shave first time use by me. A face pat just seemed the thing to do for the finale...just pondering and thinking about that extra hour's sleep.
I suspect it's a tactile reassurance measure used in congratulating oneself for successfully using one of the sharpest devices on the planet without flaying off seriously large sections of cheek and jowl.:shrug:
just a guess...
"There there, lil face... all dose nasty whiskers gone now. Dey be hiding from the clever blade. There there."
:D
My father always patted his face after using his WWI Gillette double edge brass razor. He said it stimulated the skin with fresh blood being drawn to the surface. This could be true. My skin always feels warm after a patting. One thing for sure, the skin never gets dry and chaffed. I saw barbers do this many years ago when they still did shaving. It also must be a custom thing. Good theory there Bruce about rewarding oneself with a well-done after success with a most sharp item on the planet. This straight razor shaving is deep stuff to think and talk about. I only wish that I had started when I was much younger.
Back in the day barbers used to give a pretty bracing face pat, almost a slap after applying some aftershave. My understanding was it was just bracing to the skin.
I prefer to give my wife a gentle pat-pat on the bottom instead. It still brings out the color in my cheeks.:w
I don't way but right now, patting the face reminds me of that scene on Home Alone:
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...me_alone02.jpg
:D
I do the pat because it makes me feel better. I have never heard of any medical reason persay, but I do know it feels better.