Hot or cold?

IanR

IanR

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329
Location
near Glasgow
I found some posts from earlier in the year where some guys find that shaving with cold water leads to less irritation.

This seems counter intuitive to me but very interesting and I must try. In the olden days when cold shaving was all that was available, then it was torture.

Any more advocates?
 
IanR said:
I found some posts from earlier in the year where some guys find that shaving with cold water leads to less irritation.

This seems counter intuitive to me but very interesting and I must try. In the olden days when cold shaving was all that was available, then it was torture.

Any more advocates?
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I’ve ‘cold-shaved’ for a good few years now; regardless of the season. Cold water for face washing; rinsing razor; rinsing between passes and a final rinse. I think (although dermatologists may dispute this) that the cold water makes the skin contract ever so slightly and just allows the bristles to present themselves better. Also, I have never had any irritation. It shouldn’t be torture with good prep and lathering.
 
I still ponder nevertheless on all the paraphernalia of hot towels in the traditional olden days barber shops. Actually, in 65 years of shaving I've only seen this in movies!
 
I prefer tepid water to wash and shave with and I'm lucky enough not to experience any problems with skin irritation, I believe this is due to good prep and a mild razor with a sharp blade however if you find cold water works for you and you find it an enjoyable experience then crack on with what works for you.
No matter whatever what the label says, one size does not fit all! :)
Happy shaving everyone.

Paul.
 
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IanR said:
I still ponder nevertheless on all the paraphernalia of hot towels in the traditional olden days barber shops. Actually, in 65 years of shaving I've only seen this in movies!
Click to expand...
Sometimes you get the ‘hot water opens the pores/cold water closes them’ argument. Not entirely sure I agree. Skin’s an organ. Still, I stand to be corrected by a skin specialist.
 
I've not actually tried cold. For me shaving is partly an excuse for the lovely hot towel thing, which I enjoy sufficiently to do even if there were some demonstrable benefit in terms of closeness of finish. I'll have to try now just so as I can have a valid or more balanced opinion, but I can't see myself giving up the hot towel thing. On the other hand it's good to know a good and enjoyable shave can still be had in the absence of hot water, in case of power cuts, zombie apocalypse, The End Times etc.
 
IanR said:
I found some posts from earlier in the year where some guys find that shaving with cold water leads to less irritation.

This seems counter intuitive to me but very interesting and I must try. In the olden days when cold shaving was all that was available, then it was torture.

Any more advocates?
Click to expand...
G'day @IanR FYI below, and I LOVE :love: cold water shaving throughout the whole season.

www.artofmanliness.com

The Case for Cold Water Shaving

Cold water shaving provides several advantages over hot water shaving. Learn what they are.
www.artofmanliness.com www.artofmanliness.com
 
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