Shaves · Jan 2026 · 5 min read
Hot towel straight razor shave: what to expect and how to look after the skin
A single-blade shave is the closest finish you can get. Here's what happens in the chair, and the 24 hours afterwards that matter.
A hot towel straight razor shave is one of the few grooming rituals that has stayed almost unchanged for a hundred years. The reason is simple: nothing else gets the skin this clean.
Here is what the appointment looks like end to end, and what to do (and not do) for the day after.
In the chair
Forty minutes, start to finish. We open with a hot towel wrap to soften the hair and open the pores. Then a pre-shave oil, then a hand-whipped lather worked in with a badger brush.
The razor moves with the grain first, then across, then against — three passes for the closest result. Hot towel again, cold towel to close the pores, and a fragrance-free balm.
The first 24 hours
Skip alcohol-based aftershaves. Skip heavy fragrance. Cool water rinses only. An unscented balm or aloe gel if the skin feels tight.
If you'll be outside, wear sunscreen — the top layer of skin has just been lifted and it burns easily.
How often to come in
Most clients book a straight razor shave once a month, often paired with a cut. Some come weekly. There is no wrong frequency — only the one that feels right for your skin.
