face prep: lather on face= How long?

[jsj_297]

Just was wondering what everybody elses "face prep" time in the area of letting the lather sit and do its magic?

Im a showershaver, I apply my initial coat, then wash up and then come back to shave. Probably 3-4 minutes I guess.

How about u?? Plus, do u notice a big difference if u wait lets say, 10+ minutes?? Or does anybody actually wait 30 minutes or more?? Is there really a benefit to that extreme amount of time IYO??

Im interested in the answers! Thanx all :thumbup1:

[Peterfazekas]

It never occured to me that i should let the lather sit on my face. Ooops?

[Zarba]

Just was wondering what everybody elses "face prep" time in the area of letting the lather sit and do its magic?

Im a showershaver, I apply my initial coat, then wash up and then come back to shave. Probably 3-4 minutes I guess.

How about u?? Plus, do u notice a big difference if u wait lets say, 10+ minutes?? Or does anybody actually wait 30 minutes or more?? Is there really a benefit to that extreme amount of time IYO??

Im interested in the answers! Thanx all :thumbup1:
I face lather for about a minute, and the same for each additonal pass. I shave after my shower.

I understand not rushing, but time must be a factor.

[AfterHours]

When not rushing...

I will shower, and then face lather. After that I will squeeze out the remaining lather left in the brush into my shaving bowl, rinse and re-load the brush. Then build lather in the bowl onto/with the previously squeezed-out hydrated lather. Been getting some great stuff with this, and gives me a reason to let lather sit on my face.

Then get the razor, and re-lather face over the lather that was sitting on it. Guess it's about 3 or 4 minutes.

[dpm802]

I give it 2 or 3 minutes while I brush my teeth or something ... I did go 30 minutes once when I answered a phone call, but there is a point of diminishing return.

[ZJ68]

I find washing my face then holding a warm, wet towel over it for 45 seconds to a minute to be sufficient prep. I don't leave lather sitting on my face before I start shaving.




How about u?? Plus, do u notice a big difference if u wait lets say, 10+ minutes?? Or does anybody actually wait 30 minutes or more?? Is there really a benefit to that extreme amount of time IYO??
I've never done that, but think it would be very drying and counterproductive.

[BarrysCool]

The importance of preparing the skin for shaving can not be understated, if you wish to achieve a good result.

A properly applied lather will lift and separate the hairs on your face, and if left for at least a minute before cutting will soften the bristles.

Regards,
BarrysCool
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ɹǝpun-uʍop puɐl ʇɐǝɹƃ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ - looɔsʎɹɹɐq

[jgkeegan]

It never occured to me that i should let the lather sit on my face. Ooops?


Me neither, and I've been doing this a long time. I wash my face. Then lather for pass 1 (which takes about 40-seconds, maybe 50) and then shave. I shave in the shower so my beard has been softened somewhat before I begin.

--james

[njpaddy]

I don't let it sit any longer than the time it takes to apply and shave.

[jsj_297]

wow, quite a wide division already..and for the record, ive personally never done the 30 minute thing before, or even the 10 minute mark.

[sid3000]

I just do a hot water splash to prepare. Face lathering is enough moisturization, hair lifting, whatever you want to call it

[Go West Young Man]

I leave the lather alone for about 3 minutes, that seems to really help soften and break down the hairs. Any longer and it starts to dry out.

[_JP_]

A couple of minutes of letting the lather sit on the beard is considered necessary. That is even true with the canned stuff or the gels, some of which state that in their directions. It takes me a couple of minutes to work up the lather on my beard when I face lather, so when the lather is ready I put down the brush and grab the razor.

[BrianK]

30 minutes? You'd do this? You, my friend, have a shaving addiction. Welcome. :lol:

Actually, by working the beard with soap and warm water what we're doing is the process of "felting". It doesn't take that long to break down/open up the cuticle for shaving since we're slicing it off and not getting them to bind together.

Google it. We're felting. It's just another species of hair.

[dpm802]

The one time I let lather sit for 30 minutes was purely an accident. The phone rang just as I'd finished putting on some Bigelow Proraso. I talked to my friend for as long as it took, and I wasn't really watching the clock, but the whole time, I was conscious of that cool menthol blast that never seemed to end.

The lather did dry out on me during this time. I just dipped my brush and fluffed up was already on my face, then proceeded to shave, and the shave was absolutely awesome.

Would I do a 30-minute lather again on purpose? No. I can get the same effect in just a couple of minutes ... anything beyond that serves no real purpose.

Sometimes I go longer than 2~3 minutes, depending on what else I find to occupy the interval. I might go make some coffee, answer some eMail, or watch something interesting on TV ... it doesn't really matter, 3 minutes is about the maximum time needed. Anything beyond 3, the lather tends to dry out, but that's easily fixed by just fluffing it up again with the brush.

Those extra few minutes make a helluva difference, though ... and I'm surprised it took me so long to figure it out and make it a regular part of my shaving routine.

[ZJ68]

A couple of minutes of letting the lather sit on the beard is considered necessary. That is even true with the canned stuff or the gels, some of which state that in their directions.
Which ones? None of the canned foams or gels I have state that.

ETA: I only found three products of any kind that stated to wait any length of time before shaving. KOS shave oil, Afta and Jack Black electric pre-shave.

[Topgumby]

Which ones? None of the canned foams or gels I have state that.

ETA: I only found three products of any kind that stated to wait any length of time before shaving. KOS shave oil, Afta and Jack Black electric pre-shave.

Even the Borg (http://www.gillette.com/en/us/mens-style/how-to-shave.aspx) talks about a three minute water prep, plus letting the (ugh!) shave gel sit for "as long as possible" if you have "sensitive skin".

Barbasol (http://www.barbasol.com/shaving-tips.aspx#) only talks about a hot, wet towel on the beard for thirty seconds before lathering, but they get major props for having a DE on display on the web site.

Surprisingly, the Axe-like pitch for Edge includes advice to leave the lather on for three minutes (http://www.edgeshave.com/#!/shavingTips/2). This was the stuff I used before I saw the light.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/th_shaving_science1957.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/?action=view&current=shaving_science1957.jpg)

That clickable thumbnail will show you the 1950's vintage article that taught me about letting the lather sit for two minutes, allowing the good mojo in shaving soaps or creams do that voodoo that they do, and since I started using that prep I now have the strength of ten Grinches, plus two.

Allowing the lather to sit for a couple minutes need not add any time to your morning or evening routine. Use the two minutes to brush your scuzzy fangs (you do that every day, right?) and you've lost no time at all.

Seriously, for all the energy, debate and thought that goes on around here about building lather, the "best" soaps and creams, the most enjoyable scents, and the fifty thousand reasons why Williams sucks, why in the name of King Camp Gillette would you be in such a hurry to get rid of the stuff that you've labored and pondered over?

Never mind the fact that it really does soften the beard and make your shave better, just the added enjoyment and economy is worth it. While shaver X is stuffing his face in a dangerously hot towel that's been used to dry Lord knows what body parts before he got it, and shaver Y is applying some costly pre-shave product that would be more at home on a salad, I'm getting twelve times the enjoyment from the wonderful scent and sensations of my Tabac lather than those poor schmucks who lather up and start scraping it off after only ten seconds, thereby effectively reducing my enjoyment-to-cost ratio down to about a dollar a puck for Tabac! It's an all around win!

So let that lather sit for two minutes while you brush your teeth. Your shaves and your dental check-ups will be better. Your adoring spouse will love your BBS good looks, fresh breath and pearly whites, and you can expand your soap and cream selection by twelve times what it currently is, simply by using the money you've saved using this cost-to-enjoyment reduction technique! Just show your wife this post, she'll understand why you ordered all that product!

Give your lather the Tobgumby two minute sit and I guarantee you'll see results...what kind of results, however, is up to the individual shaver. YMMV, offer not valid in hard water areas. Void where prohibited. :001_rolle

[BladeDE40]

About 2 min. of face lathering seems to do it for me.

[DerFly]

Two minutes until the electric toothbrush times-out.

[Luc]

I use a plain bar of soap to wash my stubble when I jump in the shower. I rinse at the end before getting out. I then proceed to face lather for a minute or two. Time to put the brush down and pick-up the razor (20 seconds) and shave.

[dalew]

I find washing my face then holding a warm, wet towel over it for 45 seconds to a minute to be sufficient prep. I don't leave lather sitting on my face before I start shaving.



I've never done that, but think it would be very drying and counterproductive.

The hot towel is what I use. Works for me!!!

[Gustav]

I wash my face and then apply a cheap shaving cream massaging it into the face thoroughly. Sometimes I let it sit there while I strop my razor, most of the time I apply a hot towel to my creamed up face and when I am done with that I start face lathering.

On account of what has been said above, maybe in future I will let the cream sit on my face for a longer while.

[Hex]

When not rushing...

I will shower, and then face lather. After that I will squeeze out the remaining lather left in the brush into my shaving bowl, rinse and re-load the brush. Then build lather in the bowl onto/with the previously squeezed-out hydrated lather. Been getting some great stuff with this, and gives me a reason to let lather sit on my face.

Then get the razor, and re-lather face over the lather that was sitting on it. Guess it's about 3 or 4 minutes.

That's an interesting technique After, I think I will try this today.

And to answer the OPs question, I genearally leave the lather on long enough to select a razor and blade and get it ready to work.

[chuckr9]

Right after shower I use soap and face lather. Then I use a scuttle and mix the soap with a shave cream and whip up uber lather for actual shave. MWF and any of the Geo Trumper SC's works really well.

[ZJ68]

Give your lather the Tobgumby two minute sit and I guarantee you'll see results...what kind of results, however, is up to the individual shaver. YMMV, offer not valid in hard water areas. Void where prohibited. :001_rolle
In the links, Gillette and Barbasol's preps involve water, not lather (except Gillette's sensitive skin caveat).

I didn't notice a difference when I tried it before, but I'm willing to give it another shot and see what happens. I'll incorporate it into my routine this week.

[proxymoron]

How long is a piece of string?

If you shower beforehand, less prep. If you've just come in from outside, more. If your skin is tough like old leather, none at all.

[Topgumby]

How long is a piece of string?

If you shower beforehand, less prep. If you've just come in from outside, more. If your skin is tough like old leather, none at all.

This guy makes too much sense.

[Gustav]

Well what do know, I still have a lot to learn. Yesterday I tried the advice written in the thumbnail of Topgumby's earlier post. I washed my face as usual and then proceded to rub some Proraso SC onto the stubble, paying particular attention to my moustache and chin area and let it sit there whilst stropping my razor. Then I applied a hot towel on the cream covered face for 45 secs, lathered up and shaved. There was a very noticeable difference in how easily the stubble came off, especially on chin and moustache. I think I will stick to this routine.

[kzoo1]

x100 to what Topgumby says.

I actually read the instructions on my tube of Proraso cream (imagine that!) and they directed to leave the lather on for two minutes.

It does make a difference.

FWIW:
I use a small amount of cream that I work into my face with my hands, I let that sit for a minute or so, then start face lathering the soap of the day.

Great shaves everyday!

[awol]

Surprisingly, the Axe-like pitch for Edge includes advice to leave the lather on for three minutes (http://www.edgeshave.com/#!/shavingTips/2). This was the stuff I used before I saw the light.


Did you see one of the later steps??


Rest your skin for 30 minutes before applying any kind of lotion or medications, or before going swimming…really. Skin is most sensitive after shaving, so waiting will prevent inflammation or irritation. Plus, chlorine or salt water may sting you up if you rush in for a dip.


I've never heard of waiting for any period of time to apply an aftershave product. I would think that would be counterproductive.

They're probably suggesting this because they don't want anything to interact with the "natural" chemicals :001_tt2: they're using in their gel.

[Pbalkan]

I do a pretty thorough prep. I start my first pass right after I have face-lathered to my satisfaction. That alone takes some time.

I leave my upper lip for last which MIGHT soften the hair there. But the real reason that I wait is because..... I wear my glasses to shave that area. There's a spot there that I WILL cut unless I'm very careful (and sometimes cut it anyway). I find that if I can clearly SEE what I'm doing, I have a better change of getting away without blood.

(For you young-guns who are chuckling.... keep laughing... you'll get there too! :001_tt2: )

[jeffpofutah]

I shower. Get out. Make up my lather in a bowl and apply a quick coat to my beard. I put in my contacts while that sits and gel my hair. Then, I take a wet hand and push the lather around on my face to rehydrate it and then add lather from my bowl. Working that final lather in for 30 seconds or so.

[Brian-M]

I shower first, then I face lather for roughly 30 seconds, then shave.

I've tried letting the lather stay on my face for a while, also have tried the hot towel, neither really have any benefit for me... but YMMV!

[takeshi]

Just was wondering what everybody elses "face prep" time in the area of letting the lather sit and do its magic?
I don't let it sit on my face. Face prep is a hot towel.

[doug1066]

I usually let the lather sit on my face for a minute or two but what do I know? I haven't used canned cream or gel in about ten years.

[Gired]

I generally apply hair conditioner to the top of my head then apply some to my face whilst in the shower. I finish washing the rest of my body and then rinse my hair and face of conditioner and pat dry. Then I lather up and shave away. Seems to have good results. I may try letting the lather sit for a minute though.

[PozzSka]

I let it sit as long as it takes me to do whatever it is I need to do...sometimes strop a razor, sometimes change a diaper, sometimes help my 3 year old potty, refill scuttle with hot water.

[Topgumby]

I let it sit as long as it takes me to do whatever it is I need to do...sometimes strop a razor, sometimes change a diaper, sometimes help my 3 year old potty, refill scuttle with hot water.

You are a busy man. :laugh:

[captp]

I start with some wet, soupy lather, finish building lather in scuttle for a few minutes, paint it on and shave. A real good face wash with a good soap before that is the only other prep I do.

And once again, Topgumby wins with the best reply so far.