Men around the world have been enjoying the skincare benefits of a hot towel shave for hundreds of years. It's the ultimate men’s grooming treatment. TCM is your #1 resource for skincare tips that work for men.
If you’ve never enjoyed a professional quality hot towel shave, my friend, you are missing out. The steam calms your body and relaxes your mind. A proper hot towel shave will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Everyone doesn't have the time or money to get a professional hot towel shave regularly. Don't worry though TCM's got your back. You can achieve a hot towel shave at home that comes pretty close to what your barber can do for you. Keep reading to learn how.
Supplies You’ll Need for a Hot Towel Shave:
- A few clean towels
- Cleansing Facial Soap
- Pre-Shave Oil
- Single blade razor (a safety razor works too)
- Soothing After-Shave Balm
- (optional) Lavender Oil or Vicks VapoRub
The Classic Man’s Hot Towel Shaving Routine
Start by warming up your towel. (TCM pro tip: add a little lavender oil or Vicks VapoRub to the towel for an even more relaxing experience.) Put a damp towel into the microwave for 30 seconds or place the towel into a glass dish and use a tea kettle to add hot water. (If you use the tea kettle method, give the towel a couple of minutes to cool off before you use it.)
When the towel is ready you should place it on the lower half of your face. Make sure to cover your entire chin, jawline, sideburns, and neckline. Leave the towel on for a few minutes to open your pores and soften your beard.
Next, use the face scrub to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells. After you’ve cleaned your face you can apply the pre-shave oil to your beard. A good pre-shave oil will soften your beard and help you get an even closer shave. A little bit goes a long way so don’t overdo it.
After you've applied the pre-shave oil you can begin shaving. Pay close attention while you shave using slow, deliberate motions. You don’t want to leave any stray hairs behind. Be sure to shave your hair in the direction it grows to avoid razor bumps and burns.
After shaving, apply an after-shave balm to soothe inflammation and prevent skin irritation. It also helps to remove any leftover bacteria on your face.
Some men shave daily for that fresh, clean-shaven look. But black men may struggle with frequent shaving because it may lead to pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps). This is a common condition of the beard area occurring in up to 60% African American men and other people with curly hair. Experiment to find out how long you should wait between shaves. You can achieve a close shave and prevent skin issues if you go about it the right way. A good rule of thumb is to shave every 1-3 days.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs When You Shave
Lots of black men struggle with ingrown hairs after shaving because most of us have curly/textured hair. So, we need to choose the right razor to help us get a good hot towel shave while preventing skin problems. Multi-blade razors are easy to use and in-expensive but they could be wreaking havoc on your face.
Multi-blade razors can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs in black men. Use a single blade razor or safety razor during your hot towel shave to avoid skin issues. You can see the differences between the two razors here.
Quality Skincare Products Will Level-Up Your Hot Towel Shave
Here at TCM we pride ourselves on providing quality men’s grooming products that work. Our Perfect Shave Bundle has everything you need to get a close shave while avoiding ingrown hairs, razor bumps and skin problems. Use these skincare products whenever you shave for healthy and clear skin.
There you have it! Everything you need to know about the hot shave experience. Use these tips to get the perfect hot towel shave at home.