Every Braun CoolTec Series gets the name, of course, from housing the special technology that gives you a less irritating shave by cooling as it goes. Since there’s no tiny refrigerator inside, how does it do that?
In the head there’s an aluminum strip attached to a component Braun calls Thermo Electric Cooler (the source for a clever acronym, “TEC”.) Essentially, the system takes heat from your face and from the shaver head (which builds heat up from vibrating) and moves it to other parts of the shaver. Then it’s dissipated into the air.
Interesting geek-speak aside, does it work? Is it of any value? The short answers are: “yes” and “it depends”. It does actually create a cool sensation on your face, the inevitable result of drawing off heat. It might or might not reduce skin irritation. That is a result of several factors, only one of which is heat.
More importantly, probably, there’s a downside to the CoolTec technology. You might be indifferent to the cooling effect or you might love it. But one thing Braun doesn’t advertise loudly is that it does limit how you use the shaver. In a word, it’s best used “dry”.
Certainly, all the Braun CoolTec series shavers – whether the CT2s, CT2cc, CT4cc, or CT5cc – are well sealed. You can shave with one in the shower or pop off the head to rinse clean under the faucet, all without fear. The case is completely sealed.
Even so, Braun ads themselves say openly that shaving using creams, electric shave lotions, or even plain water – such as in the shower – can reduce the effectiveness of a CoolTec shaver.
It’s not hard to see the reason that might happen. Water, or liquid in general, makes for a very different heat flow matrix than air. Both are technically fluids and either can conduct heat away, but water does it much differently. Moisture interferes with the heat conduction of the CoolTec system.
So, if you’re like me and prefer to use your Wet & Dry shaver, which the CoolTec technically is, in “wet” mode you might want to think twice about buying one of these.