after shaves loosing cooling effect

[chfair]

i did some searches and did not see any threads about this sorry if i missed one.

my issue is it is the summer in texas and heat often jumping in the high 90's low 100's almost daily i look very much so forward to my after shave and that great cooling effect. lately the cooling effect seems to be missing entirely or lasting only a few seconds. is this normal? i bought a new bottle of aqua velva ice blue to make sure it was not just that bottle, i am also using aqua velva ice sport and old spice to try and keep it nice and cooling. also use nomad after shave balm for occasional razor burn (don't expect that to be cooling). saw the menthol based AS thread and will try a few of those in the near future but in the mean time is there an explanation or a way to bring back that cooling effect i liked so much when i started using aqua velva?

 

[Shane]

That's pretty strange. Aqua Velva is known for its fairly long-lasting mentholated wallop. If you really want to have icicles hanging off of your face, go to a beauty supply store and see if you can pick up some Osage Rub.

 

[Boba Fett]

I guess depending on the age of your AS, it could be losing some of its original strength. It is possible, though unlikely, that you have built up a tolerance to it.

I'm with Shane. Get some Osage Rub, or find a pharmacist who will sell you some menthol crystals (you won't need nearly as much as you would think)

 

[chfair]

i will check to see if i can find somewhere local to find some aftershaves. don't think it is the bottle loosing effectiveness because i have bought new bottles to test that at least of the aqua velva. don't think i will find osage rub local, local sally's does not carry much of anything for mens shaving and C&E does not really carry any alcohol based aftershaves. would think for such and old time style city we would have some places dedicated to old style shaving and products, have yet to find them.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

That's pretty strange. Aqua Velva is known for its fairly long-lasting mentholated wallop. If you really want to have icicles hanging off of your face, go to a beauty supply store and see if you can pick up some Osage Rub.

Absolutely. The stuff will freeze your face. You should be able to find it online as well at a Barber Supply store, or maybe you can ask your barber to order some for you?

 

[chfair]

or maybe you can ask your barber to order some for you?

i guess it is time to come clean.... i have no barber. 1.5 years ago i started cutting my hair again after 4 years of never cutting it, and have my sister cut it for me for free now. but i have located some online and when/if my razor sells i will order some.

 

[Boba Fett]

i guess it is time to come clean.... i have no barber. 1.5 years ago i started cutting my hair again after 4 years of never cutting it, and have my sister cut it for me for free now. but i have located some online and when/if my razor sells i will order some.

Be not ashamed if having no barber--having your sister do it for free is something many men do. Just don't let her style it

Oddly enough, I had this same peculiar situation happen to me just now. I shaved, and splashed on some AV, but very little cooling effect. It barely even stung, despite knowing I tore my face up making my soap lather in a new way and turning my Gillette up to 7 for my ATG pass. Maybe just thinking about it not working got into my head, and I blocked it out. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Dorko]

I've been noticing the same thing recently with my Proraso cream and Velva Ice Blue, actually. Up until a few months ago, either one (let alone used together) would give me the menthol rush n' freeze. Now? It, um, kind of smells nice.

I didn't look at the locations of everyone lacking the menthol rush, but if anyone else is from the Northeast quadrant of the U.S., could it maybe have something do with the fact that it's been basically raining every damn day for the last two months? Are our faces just naturally more protected from all the moisture and humidity?

 

[Boba Fett]

I've been noticing the same thing recently with my Proraso cream and Velva Ice Blue, actually. Up until a few months ago, either one (let alone used together) would give me the menthol rush n' freeze. Now? It, um, kind of smells nice.

I didn't look at the locations of everyone lacking the menthol rush, but if anyone else is from the Northeast quadrant of the U.S., could it maybe have something do with the fact that it's been basically raining every damn day for the last two months? Are our faces just naturally more protected from all the moisture and humidity?

My Proraso has been working as good as it always has, and even more so now that I have thrown some Proraso Pre/Post into the mix. But my same bottle of AV seems to not be working as great. Maybe the addition of the pre/post is too much, and my face is going into a weird kind of shock. Either way, I miss the usual sting then freeze of my Aqua Velva

 

[ClubmanRob]

Menthol is menthol. It doesn't lose potency.

Two things could have happened here, either you've built up a tolerance to it or the overall temperature/humidity is climbing and your body is warmer now than it was when you first began using the AV. The only thing to do to bring that exileration back is to increase the menthol or wait until fall/winter. Keep in mind that if you gradually keep increasing the menthol count, you'll just keep chasing your new tolerance levels until the climate gets cool again.

Like a crackhead that keeps chasing his euphoric first high; we menthol users start down that slippery slope to addiction before we even realize we're hooked.

 

[chfair]

well i just did my shave for the night and decided i would do all in my power to get that cooling effect. preshave used jack black beard lube in large amounts let it set in and took a hot shower. face lathered some MWF (best results i have had with that soap so far will face lather it again) then comes the after shave.... i decided if one will not cut it i will use more than one. so i mixed in equal parts in my hand aqua velva ice sport and blue ice then threw in some old spice. threw that on my face for a nice fierce bite at the start, waited a few seconds... and then i felt what i was hoping for that menthol cooling goodness. lasted about 3 or 4 minutes and in a select spot or two can still feel the slightest bit of cooling effect.


yes i am aware i may need help

 

[Dorko]

OK, I just spashed some Osage on for kicks about 10 seconds ago.

I can't feel my cheeks, neck, or palms. And my eyes are now watering.

So that still works!

 

[cymric]

What probably happens is that the temperature is so high that the product is able to evaporate away on its own by drawing on the heat of the air you're in. This is the same principle that in dry, hot weather water splashed on your hands is gone in minutes, while the same amount of water in autumn or winter has you running for a towel. All in all, the contact time is lowered significantly, and presents less menthol (and alcohol too, of course) to the cold receptors.

Although using cold water is by far the better option for true cooling, you may want to try putting the Aqua Velva in the refrigerator to allow it more time to stay on the skin before it evaporates away.

 

[Boba Fett]

I was unaware that menthol would so easily vaporize, but it makes sense, really. Fortunately, I threw some on this morning and it was A-OK.