Thread: hot towel - is it worth it?

I use a hot towel on my face for three minutes. No matter how hot the towel is, it cools very, very quickly so I don't know if is really doing me any good for my preshave routine.

Are there any thoughts as to the value of the hot towel given how quickly it cools down on your face?

thanks

I don't do three mins on the occasions that I use a hot towel, but I don't notice it getting cold. If it does cool off, I run it under more hot water. Is your bathroom cold? Do you not heat the towel much?

In the past when I used one I would wet it, wring it out, put it in the microwave for 45 seconds. In my particular microwave that was the magic number. YMMV. I quit shaving hot some time ago. Now I'm happily shaving with cold water so the hot towel is no longer an issue for me. Try the microwave though, it may stay hot for you longer. Just be careful it isn't too hot.

I put a small micro in the shave room(actually a cramped little bathroom).
I set it at 1 minute after the second pass. I don't want to do without it. It removes the remainder of creme from my face and opens the face up for the alum block.

I gave it a shot but never noticed a difference. I've gotten to the point where I just lather and shave.

Before I started to shave immediately after the shower I was doing the hot towel routine and loved it. It has to be HOT not just very warm, it also has to have enough moisture in it so that it will inundate the hairs. I also did this 3 times in succession, lathering in between towels and after the last one. If you shave right after the shower you can get the same result without the effort, just soak your face for a minute under the showerhead.

I've only tried a few times and didn't really see the benefit so it's not become part of my routine. Im another who currently shaves with cold water though. Having said that, it has been part of the barber shop shave routine for much longer than the six months that I've been straight shaving so there must be something in it. If you dont do it in future, DO ensure that you really wet your face prior to lathering up.

The hot hot towel over the first lather was how I was taught, and I have never changed, Honestly I really don't care if it improves the shave or not, it sure makes my morning better

I used it on my first couple shaves but didn't see the it made. However, now that I'm lathering and letting that set for a minute or two and then using the hot towel on top of the lather. Huge difference.

It's one of those love it or hate it things. I love it when I have the time but generally shave out of the shower so don't need it. Today being Saturday and having plans for the evening That's probably the method I'll go.
The thing you need to keep in mind is that the hot towels aren't just hot but STEAMING HOT. That's what does it. Think about the fact that the customer coming into the barber shop off the street wasn't steping out of the shower so they needed a quick reliable method to prepare them for shaving...viola, hot towel and lather=done.
Since it's not a necessity for the home shaver you have the option to do with or without.

Michael