Pre-shower Cold Water Shave

I am constantly fighting razor bumps and recently got the tip to try cold water prior to showering. I must say I really enjoyed it. It was much better than expected.

My setup:

Gillette Super-84 with Feather blade set at 4
Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood
Face lather TGN finest 22mm
Witch hazel/tea tree oil
Raw unrefined Shea butter

I think because my face was not swollen from steam it allowed for a cleaner shave. My facial hair grows rather slow therefore I only shave a few times a week. My face felt a lot smoother after a single pass.

I wonder what the next shave will be like and if I will have any bumping over the next few days.

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I use warm water to lather and cold water to rinse and find the cold rinse works better than warm for my skin. I have sensitive skin too and found 2 passes really helps. I used to go for a BBS with 3 passes and trying to do ATG and XTG but it often resulted in irritation. I go WTG on the first pass, ATG on my neck only on the 2nd pass and WTG again on my face and chin. I use very soft synthetic brushes and also a Thater Silvertip that I just picked up which is extremely soft too and I face lather. I only use Kai blades which I find to be very sharp yet very smooth. I use shaving soaps that have quality ingredients like B&M, Stirling, Reef Point, etc., and if I buy one that irritates my skin at all I sell it. Post shave I primarily use balms and only wipe it straight down my face and neck so as not to clog pores.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Feather blades are causing your problem with bumps. I like Feathers but it took some time to appreciate them. I can't do too many passes with them and definitely can't use an aggressive razor with them. I also find that after two uses they lose their edge and need replaced, otherwise the 3rd use can lead to cuts and irritation.

I am constantly fighting razor bumps and recently got the tip to try cold water prior to showering. I must say I really enjoyed it. It was much better than expected.

My setup:

Gillette Super-84 with Feather blade set at 4
Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood
Face lather TGN finest 22mm
Witch hazel/tea tree oil
Raw unrefined Shea butter

I think because my face was not swollen from steam it allowed for a cleaner shave. My facial hair grows rather slow therefore I only shave a few times a week. My face felt a lot smoother after a single pass.

I wonder what the next shave will be like and if I will have any bumping over the next few days.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I also prep, lather, shave, and rinse with cold water. I've also found I get smoother shaves.

Lordy, lordy. My dyslexia got the best of me when I hurriedly glanced at the subject of this thread. My brain read, "Pre-shave cold water shower". I instantly began shivering! In my younger years, though, my wife was known to frequently suggest that I take a cold shower, but I digress.

I don't seem prone to irritation after a shave, so the only time I cold rinse is after I've rubbed the alum block around the territory. I then clean up the sink which allows time for the alum to do its thing if I have a nick or weeper after which I cold rinse a couple of times. That removes the alum residue and closes my skin pores before splashing on the AS. (You do remember your mother telling you to not go outside right after your bath, don't you? Gotta get those pores closed, right? Might "catch a cold if you don't"   )

I too experienced a subtle face swelling when using a hot water shave. Based on forum comments I switched to a cold water regime and problem fixed. It did take a fews day's for the full calming effect to work, now I do three passes without a hint of irritation.

I too experienced a subtle face swelling when using a hot water shave.  Based on forum comments I switched to a cold water regime and problem fixed.  It did take a fews day's for the full calming effect to work, now I do three passes without a hint of irritation.

Just to make sure I understand you correctly; you use cold tap water for every phase of your shave? IOW, from the time you step to the sink, you never draw hot water from the tap? So, you wet your face initially with cold water, you use cold water for your lathering operation and all rinses are with cold water. By golly, that'll get rid of any traces of sleep that you bring to the sink!

I have heard of this method before. It seems to work for those that use it. Personally, I like my warm water during the shave, but I have incorporated the cold water for rinsing. It works like a charm.

I too experienced a subtle face swelling when using a hot water shave.  Based on forum comments I switched to a cold water regime and problem fixed.  It did take a fews day's for the full calming effect to work, now I do three passes without a hint of irritation.

Just to make sure I understand you correctly; you use cold tap water for every phase of your shave? IOW, from the time you step to the sink, you never draw hot water from the tap? So, you wet your face initially with cold water, you use cold water for your lathering operation and all rinses are with cold water. By golly, that'll get rid of any traces of sleep that you bring to the sink!

I actually love my shaves with HOT water. It was suggested I try this to help with the razor bump war. As much as the hot water was missed I got such a better shave. It was the first one so that may change in the future.

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Not sure what happened but that reply went to the wrong person.

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I am constantly fighting razor bumps and recently got the tip to try cold water prior to showering. I must say I really enjoyed it. It was much better than expected.

My setup:

Gillette Super-84 with Feather blade set at 4
Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood
Face lather TGN finest 22mm
Witch hazel/tea tree oil
Raw unrefined Shea butter

I think because my face was not swollen from steam it allowed for a cleaner shave. My facial hair grows rather slow therefore I only shave a few times a week. My face felt a lot smoother after a single pass.

I wonder what the next shave will be like and if I will have any bumping over the next few days.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I too have issues with razor bumps and have a very similar routine as you. Just a question about the witch hazel/tea tree oil. Do you mix it yourself? I use tea tree oil diluted with water, and it helps. I've been wondering about witch hazel and I'm curious to hear your thoughts.


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