Thread: Using "Kyles prep"

A week ago or so, I was reading about beard prep at B&B.They often call the hot towel kyles prep, because a member called Kyle introdised it, I think he is a member here too.
Anyway, I took the time to read his whole post(Its a long one) About shave prep.
I have been using a hot towel since I started with straights, but what was new to me was that he suggested to spend a few minutes massaging the lather into your face with your fingers.
This may seem like a small and unimportent thing, but for those of us on a quest for the ultimate shave, every bit matters.
I have tried this the last few days, and I really feel that it works.
My new routine are as follows:

1.Wash face with warm water.
2.Apply and rub in preshave on wet face.
3.Let preshave work, while I make lather in scuttle.
4.Apply lather in a gentle fashion with brush.
5.Rub lather into face like crazy for a few min.
6.Apply more lather with brush.
7.Use hot towel for at least 3 min.
8.Apply thick layer of lather with brush.
9.Have a stellar shave.

Just a tip


Kristoffer

Thanks for this. It is a reminder that prep really can make a huge difference.

What do you recommend for a pre-shave?

IMHO, this is massive overkill. Once you have washed your face with soap and warm water, you have fully hydrated your beard. Given this, the additional steps of applying lather, rubbing it in and then applying a hot towel are redundant. (hot towel, lather, hot towel is actually just another way to wash your face). The pros and cons of preshaves have been discussed before, if they work for you then go for them. Personally, I no longer bother.

If you are not going to wash your face as a part of the prep, then some form of hot towel, lather, hot towel, relather would be the way to go.

Kyle's Prep isn't just about prep. It's about relaxing with that hot towel on your face, or turning a chore into a luxury, or whatever. As far as the pre-hot towel goes, any soap containing sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide will work just fine. If your shaving cream or shaving soap has it, you can eliminate the pre-shave steps.

donputnick, what do those ingredients do exactly?

I also like your phrase "luxury or whatever" haha

I find a hot shower sufficient for me, but I do use this prep technique from time to time and really enjoy it. This is what many of the old barbers used to do, but I think moreso for the fact that the men came in and hadn't prepped their beards in any way prior.

Originally Posted by jcw122

donputnick, what do those ingredients do exactly?

Quoting from "Kyle's Prep":

"Potassium Hydroxide and/or Sodium Hydroxide – these are both alkalis which aid in the saponification of oils and serve as cuticle solvents."

"The cuticle is a hard, shingle-like layer of overlapping cells (think of a stack of plastic drinking cups). It acts as a protective barrier for the soft inner structure and is hydrophobic or water resistant."

"When an alkaline solution is applied to hair, it causes the cuticle cells to swell and lift allowing water and chemicals easier passage to the inner layers."

BTW, these chemicals are also known as lye.

Originally Posted by donputnick

Kyle's Prep isn't just about prep. It's about relaxing with that hot towel on your face, or turning a chore into a luxury, or whatever. As far as the pre-hot towel goes, any soap containing sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide will work just fine. If your shaving cream or shaving soap has it, you can eliminate the pre-shave steps.

No quality skin soap is going to contain any significant quantities of either sodium hydroxide (lye) or potasium hydroxide. These chemicals are very basic and will burn your skin. They are used to make soap; but are consumed in the saponification reaction. One of the main reasons soap must be cured is to ensure that the reaction is complete so that little of these harsh chemicals remain. There are potentially small amounts present in fully cured soap, but not so that you would notice.

Every shaver is different in terms of the prep needed. I've found the steps in Kyle's procedure to offer something for everyone. While I can get by with simply wetting my face prior tp lathering up, using steam towels is pleasant and relaxing. If you watch Lyn's video, you'll see exactly how I do my own prep. The one step I sometimes leave out is the steam towels over lather.

Excluding the first step (face washing) this is pretty much the same as a pro barber shave prep. Not really a new process, but it is a great one if you have the time to follow it.

I have had a number of shaves done by barbers and the prep is the best part of the shave IMO. The end results have varied from excellent to just OK, but leaning back in the barber chair and relaxing with the hot towels etc.....good every time.