Skin hydration and good shaves

[Ron Scott]

I have to force myself to hydrate properly, i.e., drink 6-8 glasses of water or the equivalent each day. This seems to become more important as you age and with higher levels of physical activity, etc. The effects of mild dehydration are fairly noticeable, including a lack of elasticity of this skin. Pinch some skin on the back of your wrist, for example, and if it stays pinched for a second or so after you let go you could be dehydrated.

I wonder if skin hydration is another issue affecting the quality of your shave.

Same razor, same blade, same soap, same whatever---different day, different quality shave. It happens, right?

 

[dparish1952]

Since I changed my routine to ensure that my face doesn't dry out, especially in the winter, I have noticeably better shaves with the same soap.

IMO, I conclude that shaving soap "cushion" is the effect of the skin flexibility; after all, seat cushions "flex." If this is correct, then the greatest factor in cushion is likely not the soap, but keeping our face moisturized.

YMMV

 

[shavefreak]

Washing your face and a pre shave cream should hydrate the surface for a shave. I am sure skin tissue hydration matters and is better but I would think getting at the hair and skin surface hydration should be enough preparation.

 

[parapaul]

I don't know about good shaves, but my skin condition definitely improves noticeably when I'm hydrated.

 

[Useless shaver]

Yes. Hydration is key IMO.

 

[VT_Hokie]

I don't know about good shaves, but my skin condition definitely improves noticeably when I'm hydrated.

^ This.

Proper hydration is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Period.

 

[rajagra]

Skin properties are more relevant to a good shave than hair type IMO.
Hydrating hair makes it about 3 times easier to cut (force needed is reduced by 70%).
But having skin that is able to flex around the blade and is free of irregularities that allow the blade to bite will have an even greater effect.

Imagine doing the barber's balloon shave test on a half-deflated balloon. I don't think it would go well.
Same with a balloon printed with rough paint.
The surface needs to be smooth and firm yet flexibly 'sprung'.

 

[Go West Young Man]

I've posted before that when I get less sleep and make up for it with too much coffee my shaves suffer. Get rest. Eat well, stay hydrated, and my skin becomes a lot happier .

 

[tiernan22]

I know that when I'm dehydrated my skin will pull moisture out of my lather regardless of how well I've prepped. It gets better as the shave goes on but there's a notice difference in that process between hydrated and dehydrated.

 

[ackvil]

I spend a lot of time outdoors and always use sun screen. However, since I am 71 years old my skin does not have the elasticity it did when I was younger. Getting rest and drinking water is important. However, I have found that applying a good quality moisturizer at night has helped considerably.

 

[The Dean]

I'm 56 and my skin has improved dramatically the past 10 years or so. I attribute that to better hydration and using a quality moisturizer on my face twice a day. Shaving, which used to be torture in my youth, is now relatively easy and quite pleasant.

 

[Mick]

If you want to know how important proper beard preparation is.

Try shaving without any beard prep.

Instant death by razor burn will be the results

 

[Clanmac]

Yes hydration is the key to good health in general.. gone are the days of drinking fizzy sugar laden drinks when we were thirsty .

From my perspective I think that I only really started drinking a lot of water based beverages about 12 years ago.

I have hardly a line on my face and I am 50 , was last Friday, my avatar is of me at about 3 years, so that's cheating I know!

In saying that I was a smoker and a drinker but neither now and my face is a lot better. Smoking and drinking take their toll as does drinking coffee.

We are 60% water based so there is not much else to say really , is there?

 

[The Dean]

Yes hydration is the key to good health in general.. gone are the days of drinking fizzy sugar laden drinks when we were thirsty .

From my perspective I think that I only really started drinking a lot of water based beverages about 12 years ago.

I have hardly a line on my face and I am 50 , was last Friday, my avatar is of me at about 3 years, so that's cheating I know!

In saying that I was a smoker and a drinker but neither now and my face is a lot better. Smoking and drinking take their toll as does drinking coffee.

We are 60% water based so there is not much else to say really , is there?

80 proof liquor is 60% water based, too. I say it's the perfect liquid for humans!

 

[ackvil]

80 proof liquor is 60% water based, too. I say it's the perfect liquid for humans!

We Floridians think alike.

 

[Chaloney]

Originally Posted by The Dean
80 proof liquor is 60% water based, too. I say it's the perfect liquid for humans!

We Floridians think alike.

exactly what I was thinking!

 

[The Dean]

exactly what I was thinking!

Honestly I'm a bit surprised there are three Floridians that can do the math.

 

[Chaloney]

I growed up in Michigan and that's where I learned me that stuff

 

[Lotus Driver]

Thanks for this. I never before thought about body hydration affecting shave comfort, but it makes sense to me now. I get an orthopedic massage every two weeks and my therapist can tell if I'm a little dehydrated by the feel of my skin.

I have to force myself to hydrate properly, i.e., drink 6-8 glasses of water or the equivalent each day. This seems to become more important as you age and with higher levels of physical activity, etc. The effects of mild dehydration are fairly noticeable, including a lack of elasticity of this skin. Pinch some skin on the back of your wrist, for example, and if it stays pinched for a second or so after you let go you could be dehydrated.

I wonder if skin hydration is another issue affecting the quality of your shave.

Same razor, same blade, same soap, same whatever---different day, different quality shave. It happens, right?