Thread: Conflicting Information

I lather up with hot lather and shave, noting the amount of forward force required to shave. After that area cools, to shave the area it takes slightly more forward force. Doesn't this demonstrate that warmth softens instead of hardens? For, if it hardened, it would take more force when warm.

Under my chin, there are some areas that shave worse when soft. In fact, I splash cold water on those areas at times to make the hair stand up stiffer.

Take a piece of cold wet hair in your hand and swish it against your other hand. Do the same after the hair is hot and wet, and it is softer, more whippy.

I just can't buy that warming and wetting hair makes it harder. It might make it turgid and soft. But, turgid and engorged with water is different than harder.

removing oil and grease from hair would harden it, and this particular source claimed that the various shaving soaps/creams/w.e had alkalines that would do precisely that, in order to make shaving easier

With this it is a simple case of try it both ways and see which you like better. I'm a cold water less prep is more guy but YMMV. Regardless of what science or anyone says it is what feels good to your face when the shave is done.