So here goes, I've been shaving with a DE for the past few years using nothing but slightly warm water (i.e. shaving in the shower with no soap/lube etc, shower set to slightly warm/lukewarm water) and haven't had a problem. No skin irritation, bumps etc.
Upon rediscovering traditional wet shaving I started experimenting with soaps and using really hot water (not boiling but hot enough to be 'scald' my hands a little). I started adopting the Kyle's prep, soaking my towel in really hot water as well.
However, my skin was always turning red and I'm a chocolate skinned brother here! I had lots of irritation and burn.
Yesterday, as I had very little time to catch up on sleep, I decided to do away with the Kyle's prep and start my shave immediately with slightly lukewarm water instead.
I was amazed, I did my usual 2-3 passes but had no irritation even when blade buffing a little on my 3rd and final pass. I also found more tactile feedback when shaving, instead of having it glide through limp hair and not cutting anything at all.
After my 2nd pass I needed to relather but this time accidentally turned the tap on too high on the warmness setting. Had decently hot water coming out and soaked my brush in that. Immediately when I started to lather my skin started screaming a little. Washed out my brush with lukewarm water and lathered again - problem solved.
Is this a precursor to cold water shaving? Gonna try it soon though it would be weird to shave with cold water.
Maybe it's because my Gillette Tech is mucho gentle, so a well-hydrated beard is making it difficult to get a decent shave?
I'm not too sure though. In any case my skin feels a whole lot better now.
Anyone else found this to be true?
Upon rediscovering traditional wet shaving I started experimenting with soaps and using really hot water (not boiling but hot enough to be 'scald' my hands a little). I started adopting the Kyle's prep, soaking my towel in really hot water as well.
However, my skin was always turning red and I'm a chocolate skinned brother here! I had lots of irritation and burn.
Yesterday, as I had very little time to catch up on sleep, I decided to do away with the Kyle's prep and start my shave immediately with slightly lukewarm water instead.
I was amazed, I did my usual 2-3 passes but had no irritation even when blade buffing a little on my 3rd and final pass. I also found more tactile feedback when shaving, instead of having it glide through limp hair and not cutting anything at all.
After my 2nd pass I needed to relather but this time accidentally turned the tap on too high on the warmness setting. Had decently hot water coming out and soaked my brush in that. Immediately when I started to lather my skin started screaming a little. Washed out my brush with lukewarm water and lathered again - problem solved.
Is this a precursor to cold water shaving? Gonna try it soon though it would be weird to shave with cold water.
Maybe it's because my Gillette Tech is mucho gentle, so a well-hydrated beard is making it difficult to get a decent shave?
I'm not too sure though. In any case my skin feels a whole lot better now.
Anyone else found this to be true?