Hot Towel Shaves: What to Expect and Why Every Man Should Try One

If you’ve never had a professional hot towel shave, you’re missing one of the best things a barbershop offers. It sounds simple, but the experience is genuinely something else.

Here’s how it works. Your barber starts by applying a warm, damp towel to your face for a few minutes. The heat opens up your pores and softens the hair follicles, which makes the shave cleaner and much more comfortable. After the towel comes a rich shaving cream or lather applied with a brush, worked into the skin to lift the hair and create a smooth surface.

Then comes the straight razor. In the hands of a trained barber, it gives you a closeness that no cartridge razor at home can match. Your barber works in short, controlled strokes, following the grain of your hair to reduce irritation. Once the shave is done, a cool towel closes the pores back up and a moisturizer or aftershave is applied to soothe the skin.

The whole thing takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Most men describe it as one of the most relaxing things they do for themselves.

Beyond the comfort of it, there are real skin benefits. Exfoliation from the straight razor removes dead skin cells, the hot towel improves circulation, and a skilled barber reduces the ingrown hairs and irritation that come from shaving at home every day.

GQ Barbershop offers hot towel shaves as part of our grooming services. If you’ve been curious, book an appointment and try it once. You’ll understand why people make it a regular thing.