Should You Shave With Cold Water?

Noticing a growing trend toward cold-water shaving, as well as claims of its many benefits to skin health and the shaving process in general, I decided to try it out.

The result was a pleasant surprise.

How I Discovered Cold-Water Shaving

About a year ago, I began taking cold showers. The trouble was, my soap wouldn’t lather. So I searched the internet for a solution, which led me to a couple of forum boards discussing the idea of cold-water shaving.

I learned that shaving soap lathers well in cooler temperatures and that there are men out there who shave cold daily, enjoying huge benefits.

Like many of us, I’d grown up believing that hot water is unnegotiable when it comes to a smoother, closer, and more comfortable shave. A belief I’d never questioned.

But how had men shaved during times when hot water wasn’t so readily available? Especially men in rooming houses with no means of heating water on a stove. They surely couldn’t afford a visit to the barber every day.

And there was the story of an army exercise where my father had had to clean his teeth, wash, and shave with a single mug of cold water. So it wasn’t a completely unheard-of concept, even if only for emergencies.

Eventually, I stopped pondering and decided to put it to the test.

My Shaving Utensils

Cold-water shaving is something most men can try at any time. After all, we have all we need right there in our bathrooms.

In case you’d like to compare results, this is what I use to shave:

• A Gillette safety razor
• A synthetic shaving brush by Kent
• An Arko shaving soap stick

How I Shave

The way I shave is a little different from that which is usually recommended, but it works for me.

• I wet the brush and my face with cold water, apply the soap directly to my beard, then lather up.
• First I shave my cheeks with the grain, then my neck against the grain, and lastly my chin with the grain. I’ve shaved my mustache only once or twice since my teens, but it’s best to go with the grain.
• Using my hands, I rinse with cold water while feeling for remaining stubble, which I shave against the grain.

I always shave before showering. This way, I can be sure that my face is properly rinsed and completely free of shaving soap.

The First Time I Shaved With Cold Water

I approached my first cold-water shave with trepidation. I expected it to be uncomfortable and ineffective.

To begin, I changed the razor blade.

Splashing cold water on my face was no shock, since I was already used to cold showers. But I didn’t anticipate such a rich lather. It was stiffer than anything I’d worked up before.

My beard grows fast, so my stubble was pretty substantial. I expected a lot of tugging and possible pain. On the contrary, it was at least as smooth as a warm shave.

Rinsing off the lather, I noticed the closeness immediately; it was as though I’d been to the barber.

Source: Pixabay

Benefits of Cold-Water Shaving

I haven’t yet had a bad cold-water shave. Results are always immaculate.

Below are the benefits I’ve observed.

Closer Shave

Firstly, as already mentioned, I get a closer shave.

It’s because cooler temperatures contract the skin, which causes hairs to stand on end. This allows the razor to cut further down the shaft.

Consequently, my skin is perfectly smooth after just one pass. And not having to run over it again obviously saves time, which is another benefit.

Because the shave is so close, I remain smooth for much longer. I therefore don’t need a second shave later in the day if I’m going out in the evening.

Another instant effect of skin contraction is a tighter and more refreshed appearance, which is useful for those who are prone to swelling and puffiness in the morning.

Healthier-Looking Complexion

When cold, the body works to retain its core temperature by increasing circulation. During this process, our blood vessels constrict in order that blood can flow more forcefully, thus delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells more efficiently.

This is why our skin appears pink after exposure to the cold, which is obviously only temporary. But I’ve noticed that my facial skin seems generally firmer and more toned since showering and shaving with cold water. My pores also appear smaller.

Healthier-Looking Beard

Since shaving cold, my mustache seems thicker and more luxuriant.

This is because cold water closes the hair cuticle, which locks in moisture for a smoother, more lustrous appearance. Conversely, hot water opens the cuticle, stripping the hair of its natural oils.

Fewer Irritations

Minor irritations I experienced when shaving with warm water have practically disappeared.

Although I’ve never had ingrown hairs or razor burn in spite of shaving my neck against the grain, I have occasionally experienced redness on my cheeks. But because I now pass the blade only once over my beard, and because I no longer have to shave twice a day, this has become a thing of the past.

The anti-inflammatory effect of cold water could be another contributory factor: men with sensitive or acne-prone skin should certainly look into it.

No More Dry Patches

I shave up to the area just below my eye sockets. And this is exactly where I used to experience tightness and flaky skin, especially after reaching middle age.

I spent a number of years experimenting with shaving oils and moisturizer, but to no avail. I also believed that warm water would open the pores to drive moisture deeper into the skin.

As it turns out, it is physically impossible for pores to open and close. The only thing warm water can do in this respect is mobilize sebum.

Depending on skin condition, this can be viewed in one of two ways: on the one hand, it cleanses the pores if you suffer from acne; on the other, it strips the skin of its natural oils if you’re prone to dryness.

I think this is the basis of the entire warm shave theory: mobilizing sebum provides extra lubrication, which helps to soften the beard. But does it make a substantial difference? Is it really advantageous? Not according to my experience.

Softening will cause the hair to bend more easily, which means the razor will glide over rather than through it. This is why warm shavers need more than one pass for smooth results.

Reduced Bleeding

If ever I cut myself, it’s on the chin.

But what I’ve noticed since cold-water shaving is that the bleeding is of shorter duration.

Again, it’s down to the cold which causes blood vessels to constrict, thus enabling faster clotting. This, of course, stops the bleeding.

For me, it means no longer having to leave the house in the morning with a bit of blood-stained loo paper attached to my face.

Sharper Blades

Personally, I can’t imagine hot water causing a blade to dull; yes, I know that heat causes metal to expand, but surely 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) isn’t going to have a tangible effect on a steel razor blade.

Nevertheless, I’ve noticed that my blades last longer since shaving with cold water. And they seem sharper.

I only use safety blades, which are cheap. But for those purchasing expensive cartridges, it could save money.

Source: Pixabay

Conclusion

If the hot water in my bathroom were to be shut off for good, I wouldn’t particularly miss it. But I would never put comfort and enjoyment before well-being, anyway.

And as far as I can see, comfort and enjoyment are the only benefits warm-water shaving has to offer.

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