Humid Climate is the Answer

**Severum** · 06-18-2007, 07:34 PM

Ok, so I started wetshaving a few months ago with an HD and moved on to a slant. In the past 3 weeks or so I have been traveling from my home in Denver, CO to the Dallas. TX area for work and overall relocation. With gear in tow, I of course proceed to achieve the best BBS shaves ever.

Thinking my technique was just getting that good, I conceded that practice makes perfect. However, when I would travel back to the dry climate of Denver on the weekends to spend time with family.......(and pack), I found the shaves iffy. Some irritation, redness, etc. Fly back down to Dallas, a week of BBS irritation free.

After 3 weeks I have decided the humidity reduces irritation tremendously. I kid you not, it is very dramatic. I would be interested to know if anyone else has had the same experience?

Severum

**iulian** · 06-18-2007, 07:36 PM

must be the water!

**SalvadorMontenegro** · 06-18-2007, 07:42 PM

The natives in the Amazon must be BBS year round.

**Michael** · 06-18-2007, 07:56 PM

Just face it, everything is better in Texas.

**Prince** · 06-18-2007, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Michael

Just face it, everything is better in Texas.

+1

**Edcculus** · 06-18-2007, 08:08 PM

This is an interesting correlation, but maybe somewhat true. I'm from South Carolina, where they invented humidity.

I went to Vegas for spring break in March, and had fairly sub par shaves. This was using my normal brush (C&E Best and QED shave sticks). Back here in SC, I can get great shaves with the same setup. I never really thought about it that way before.

The thing is that it is absurd to think that people in low humidity areas can't get good shaves when they obviously can. Maybe its harder for people used to high humidity to get a great shave in lower humidity?

And maybe we are just looking too far into it.

**Kyle** · 06-18-2007, 09:05 PM

I think higher humidity equates to better overall skin health (moisturization). This same phenomenon (good/bad shaves) is experienced by many with the change in seasons from warm to cold. The only successful remedy that I've come across is to moisturize at night in hopes of counteracting the dryness at shavetime.

**Thomas** · 06-19-2007, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Michael

Just face it, everything is better in Texas.

+1

**Thebigspendur** · 06-19-2007, 09:16 AM

Before you make any conclusions you need to know how hard the water is in both places. I know for a fact that Denver has very hard water which equates to crummy shaves.

**jlander** · 06-19-2007, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Michael

Just face it, everything is better in Texas.

+3

**Wil** · 06-19-2007, 11:02 AM

The consensus is water- that will make both the shave and the soap/cream you use work better- but having lived in the desert for some time now- and having the opportunity to travel to more humid climates- checking the water since soft water doesn't work well with my shower shave routine- I have noticed that after a week my skin feels better in the humid place- even when we do have rain here in the desert, the added humidity works better for my skin overall- so maybe that is really it- but check the water just in case.

**Xert** · 06-19-2007, 11:25 AM

My guess is that it has the effect of something like a sauna: the higher humidity keeps the whiskers softer as they absorb some of that water into the beard.

**Amyn** · 06-19-2007, 03:03 PM

Higher humidity does reduce irritation. I agree

**ouch** · 06-19-2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Michael

Just face it, everything is better in Texas.

Never ask a man where he's from. If he's from Texas, you'll know. If he's not, why embarrass him?

**rafikz** · 06-20-2007, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle

I think higher humidity equates to better overall skin health (moisturization). This same phenomenon (good/bad shaves) is experienced by many with the change in seasons from warm to cold. The only successful remedy that I've come across is to moisturize at night in hopes of counteracting the dryness at shavetime.

+ 240000

**Jim** · 06-20-2007, 10:08 AM

I just returned from a trip to Denver and can agree with you. I had a few sub par shaves while there. I am looking forward to some great ones this week now that I am back home- humid and at sea level!
I agree with Kyle, I believe that the condition of your skin is the culprit.
The water was a little hard but usable.

**rafikz** · 06-20-2007, 10:12 AM

That's why I use preshave oil only during winter ( canadian super harsh winter + hard water

)

**wolfemi1** · 06-20-2007, 06:41 PM

Hmmm, I don't see this really. I am living in NY, and just went down to Austin, but my shaves weren't really better down there. It was super humid the entire time, too

**Smedley** · 06-24-2007, 08:32 AM

I find with the uppage in humidity here, I can skip the hot towel step and go straight to the lathering. If I do that in winter, it is crappy shave city.