Face towel!?

[lamina]

A friend of mine, dermatologist, says one of the biggest contamination vector for men's face skin is the postshave towel: all kind of germs are present in a family towel. If everybody use it on a regular basis, the skin peeled by the blade, sorened and with cuts will collect several germs and bacteria whom will affect your face.

He says more: your towel should be used exclusively used on face and never in hands, using a nice press-press motion and not rubbing it all across the face worstening the cuts or bleeds.

That said, what do you think about it? Do you have your own and exclusive shave towel, just for face? He defends brand new paper tissues each shave...

 

[Shave Cat]

I've been shaving for 46 years and have never had a towel that I used only for my face. Your friend would probably say I'm just lucky I have never received a terrible infection of some sort. However, if an individual is having a having an issue involving facial infections, all possibilities must be considered. I doubt most shavers have an exclusive shaving towel. Of course, I could be wrong.

-Clarke

 

[laughingbob]

Blimey. I must be lucky as well. My wife and I have always shared a towel and I never had a problem either but, I always shower after my shave so I suppose that maybe different.

 

[Dharion]

He is absolutely right with 'press-press motion'. Be gentle to your face, it'll thank you. As I am currently living alone I'm probably not affected and can safely use one towel.

 

[tsmba]

I've never given it a thought. I do have a separate towel that I soak and use as a "hot towel", though.

 

[BroJohn]

I've been shaving for 46 years and have never had a towel that I used only for my face.

-Clarke

I have been shaving for 46 years and have always used a dedicated face towel for shaving. I suspect the dermatologist is somewhat alarmist, though.

-- John Gehman

 

[BobS]

I am the only one using the towel, but not exclusively for my face.

There is an interesting combo of events going on with shaving, between the towel and the after shave products using alcohol and or alum blocks.

I am not likely to change at this point in my life....

 

[maj3289]

the few times i tried the towel method it was a with towel used only on the face

 

[SiBurning]

He's got a point. Part of a doctor's job to educate the rest of us about sanitation. I'm going to act on his advice.

Maybe there's a bunch of people out there that cut up their face, barely rinse after shaving, and end up wiping blood, shaving chemicals, skin, and possibly other fluids on the family towel. Everyone should be aware of the possible dangers with blood, but skin and other things might also be a problem. It makes sense to take precautions even if you haven't been diagnosed with a disease. It certainly makes sense for a dermatologist to make us aware of the potential.

I've had a few incidents recently learning to use a straight where a good bit of blood ended up on the towel. If I were sharing towels, at the very least, it would go in the laundry bin immediately. This is giving me pause. I think I'll take the doctor's advice and get some towels specifically for after shaving. I already have some for preshave prep. This way, there's no chance of guests using one of my bloodied towels. But that still leaves me wondering if I need to wash them separately.

 

[cactusbrush]

I started using a different towel for my face after my daughters were advised by a dermatologist much as was noted in the first post. The towels I use are actually kitchen dish towels and I was them in hot water with a touch of bleach. I don't change towels every day, but at least every two or three. It definitely does cut down on even small irritations. Another good piece of advise from the dermatologist: change pillow cases frequently; face oils and perspiration and other gunk can cause blemishes and irritation.

 

[duotone]

I always use a clean towel (which varies) after shaving.

 

[Nishnabotna]

I do not share towels. Come to think of it, I have what amounts to a dedicated face towel but it wouldn't bother me to dry my hands on it.

 

[g-train]

I use a small washcloth that I only use on my face. It goes in the wash only once a week, however. I've always washed and shaved this way. I don't use a towel to dry my face either, just wring the washcloth out and pat dry, so my face is still moist, then apply moisturizer.

 

[SRock]

I've been shaving about 18 years and normally I pat my face dry with the same towel I dry off with after my shower. Maybe it's luck. Maybe its that the only time that towel is used is after I'm clean or my face is clean. The towel gets washed about 2x a week.

 

[krevo]

I keep a steady inventory of half towels on rotation, wash em, fold em , and stick em under the sink each weekened.

I hate the thought of rubbing a dirty towel on my freshly shaven face. Not to mention I use them for kyle's prep on occasion so reuse is a nono.

 

[ratcheer]

Its never bothered me. I use a personal towel (i.e., not shared with others), but not exclusively for shaving use. And I have been doing it this way for over 40 years.

Tim

 

[Wilpar76]

I don't have an exclusive shave towel. However, the towels I use are generic white hand towels and white wash cloths. I use one for preshave and a clean one for post shave. I only use white towels so they can be washed with bleach to make sure they are clean.

 

[poppi]

It makes sense. Maybe I'll change my routine to include a different towel, can't hurt.

 

[porman]

We have one family towel that is used for hands only. Then we have a separate towel to be used however we like.

 

[lamina]

Thanks guys for your inputs. I've changed my routine in the meanwhile or exclusive face towel.