How to Open Pores for a Clean Shave

There is something magical to starting one's day with a clean, close shave. The kind of shave that resembles a smooth as silk baby's behind. That shave can be accomplished with the use of a good durable sharp razor and plenty of patience to put into the morning shave. The key to getting the most from your shave is timing. The curves of the face and grain direction of stubble create an environment where the razor must perfectly glide across to capture the hair. Creating this environment all begins with knowing how to get the pores to open.

Hot Towel treatment

The hot towel on the face for a good shave is no myth. Hot towel therapy has been used by barbers of old and is used in the spas of today. Application of heat to the face and neck will do wonders to create a delicate pre-shave environment. A minute or two of the hot towel will get the face ready for lather and shave. The easiest way to create a hot towel treatment at home is to throw a small hand towel in the dryer for a few minutes at high setting.

Shave in the Shower

The best way to get a quality shave is perform the task in a steamy shower. The exposure to steam and warm water will immediately open the pores. An end of shower shave will be ideal with the whiskers and gel safely draining into the tub, sparing your personal sink area the typical after shave mess. One obstacle to getting a good shower shave is the potential for the personal mirror to fog up. Consider purchasing a fogless mirror or better yet keep a small cup of cool water than you can rinse and spit on the mirror to clear the fog. The rinse and spit process sounds barbaric but it gets rid of the fog.

Skin Gels

Aside from a hot towel treatment or warm water rinse to the face, there are several products one can find at the store for getting the pores receptive to a great shave. Many of these products are face scrubs that can be massaged into the face. These exfoliating scrubs and cleansers will not only open pores but remove the dead skin cells which will make for a much more effective clean close shave.

Final Tips

Getting the pores open and ready for the shave is only good if one maintains a sharp and clean razor environment. Avoid using cheap disposable blades that are light as they may encourage pressing harder on the skin which will create potential cuts, scrapes, and ingrown hairs. Stick to the durable heavier multi-blade razors that will glide easier across the skin. Be sure to dry blades after each use and replace every four to five shaves.