Cold water AFTER shaving?

[The Soph Gent]

I have a question regarding using cold water to rinse off your face AFTER you have finished shaving. I am not talking about cold water shaving, just the use of cold water rinse when you are finished.
The reason they say to use cold water is too close the pores (and it feels great also) and then apply an AS splash or balm or witch hazel.

But with the pores closed isn't the absorption reduced? I have read where some will use a hot towel after shaving and then use the AS.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Gam]

I do a warm water rinse,followed by cold water rinse.I do the cold water mainly to cool off the head and face.

[TheVez2]

Warm water/towels before to open pores, makes shaving easier. Cold water/alcohol after to tone and close everything back up. That what I've always read. I do a multi step process: warm water rinse (sometimes), cold water rinse, witch hazel (low acohol content toner), after shave (high alcohol content toner). Using witch hazel first lessens the burn of the after shave.

[52131]

There are many different opinions but no 'correct' answers. You can figure out what works best for you.

[heybatter]

Skin pores don't actually open and close, from everything I've read.

Myth #3: You need to steam your face or use an astringent to open or close your pores. There’s no magical process or product that will cause your pores to "open" and allow impurities to rise to the skin’s surface. By the same token, splashing cold water on your face - or doing anything else for that matter - won’t cause the gates to slam shut on your pores. Simply put, "pores are pretty stationary," says Susan C. Taylor, M.D., a dermatologist in Philadelphia...What you’re doing when you steam your face is causing the blood vessels to dilate and the skin to swell slightly. Similarly, "astringents and toners slightly irritate the walls of the pores and make them swell, causing the pores to look smaller," Baumann explains. But they haven’t actually changed in size. Even in the best-case scenario, their diminished appearance won’t last for more than 24 hours. For a longer-lasting effect, you can help pores look closed and tight by keeping them clean. Wash your face at least twice a day."

http://askville.amazon.com/pores-fac...uestId=6939979

[DOLLARBILL]

Always Cold !
Enjoy your Shave !

[kingfisher]

Rinsing with cold water actually causes blood vessels in the area to contract, lessening swelling and any bleeding from very small weepers. Although pores don't open and close, a cold water rinse does have some beneficial effects.

[beginish]

Rinsing with cold water actually causes blood vessels in the area to contract, lessening swelling and any bleeding from very small weepers. Although pores don't open and close, a cold water rinse does have some beneficial effects.

This. I always follow with the CW rinse at the end prior to applying AS. It has not affected absorbance of balms at all.

[TheGravedigger]

I've found that cold water rinses reduce my irritation considerably compared to warm water.

[gearchow]

For me, reduced irritation, closes weepers, feels good.

Cold water, the original Menthol.

-jim

[Sledgehammer39]

I use cold water to wash off my face after a shave. I don't think that there is any correct choice, it's just an individual thing.

[jsj_297]

I shower shave, once done with my last pass, I turn the shower to extra hot (as hot as my face will tolerate), and rinse all the resdiual soaps, hairs, etc, 30 secs worth of nice hot water rinsing off my face feels wonderful, especially with all the Proraso white tub goodness already worked into the skin. Once out of shower, pat dry my face, then straight to the sink for a super cold face splash, followed by a super cold Osage rub!!!! I love my routine, works great!!! Since I started this sequence, I have had maybe, maybe 1 ingrown hair a month now. Super happy about that, I dont know the science behind what I do, I just know it works.

[Heatgain]

I do a warm water rinse,followed by cold water rinse.I do the cold water mainly to cool off the head and face.

+1. But then my next step is Nivea Balm on my neck, and 15 SPF light moisturizing cream on my face since Albuquerque is about a mile closer to the sun than sea level. Then I facerbate throughout the day.

[CSG]

I'm in the rinse off with warm, not hot water, and then a number of cold water splashes. Feels very good. Then alum or witch hazel or both. Then balm.

Pores, as stated, do not open or close but it's repeated over and over that they do. Read the advice given on sites like this but do your own research and remain skeptical of definitive statements presented as facts.

[David in Boston]

After reading this thread I may change my routine from a warm/hot rinse to a warn then cold rinse.

Interesting that some folks find the cold water reduces irritation.

Thanks,

[Crixus]

Rinsing with cold water actually causes blood vessels in the area to contract, lessening swelling and any bleeding from very small weepers. Although pores don't open and close, a cold water rinse does have some beneficial effects.

Good and arguably correct info in this paragraph. One of the biggest myths most of us grew up with was hot water/steam opens the pores and cold water/cold air closes them. But there is just something flat out good about finishing off with a cold water rinse.

[TinsleytheTerrible]

My face responds best to cold water compared to a warm water finish. However, on hot days, I'll use an ice cube instead of cold water splash. Now that we're into the winter months, I'll steer away from the ice cube for a while, but give it a try if you want.

[TheGRman]

A warm water rinse (to rinse off any lather residue) followed by a cold water rinse/splash helps to cool the skin and tighten it (notice I did not say 'close the pores'). Cold water will help to calm irritations and reduce small weepers or slight nicks. As a barber, I was taught to heat everything up before shaving, shave it all off while still keeping things hot/warm, then finish by cooling everything down before applying the aftershave balms/lotions... which is what we do. For our cold water face rinses, we use towels that have been soaked in ice water. This works wonderfully for getting the face ready for the aftershave balms/lotions.

[Sunflake]

Rinsing with cold water actually causes blood vessels in the area to contract, lessening swelling and any bleeding from very small weepers. Although pores don't open and close, a cold water rinse does have some beneficial effects.

+1 I have noticed this as well I've had small weepers actually stop before I even used a styptic pencil. And AS burn is way less after a cold water rinse

[barneykiller]

Razorock Alum, cold water splash, AS