Whole face styptic?

So I've been reading old posts of styptic vs alum block for nicks and the consensus seems to be the styptic is better at closing up nicks quickly, while alum takes a bit longer. It seems a fair amount of shavers also use alum over the whole face as an aftershave.

So, is there any downside to turning a styptic pencil on its side and rolling it over the whole face after a shave? I tried this yesterday and it felt good, leaving a nice tingling over the whole face (little harsh in the trouble areas of course). You have to rinse it off after a few minutes or else it leaves a residue, but even alum blocks that don't leave a residue recommend rinsing them off after a few minutes.

I do the same thing too with my styptic pencil. The only downside I've encountered is that I go through them pretty quickly.

I don't use a styptic pencil unless the alum bock won't stop the blood. Just to be sure, the alum block does not replace using an after shave for me which comes after the alum block.

Bob

The purpose of the two is different: styptic to stop bleeding and alum as a skin astringent. It's been a long time since I've had to use a styptic pencil but any time I did it left a white residue and severely dried out the area I applied it to so I'd hate to see (and feel!) what it would do to my entire face....

I use an alum block and before that a septic pencil the alum block lasts longer than the pencil and it might sting a little more but were men

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Originally Posted by flares2

So I've been reading old posts of styptic vs alum block for nicks and the consensus seems to be the styptic is better at closing up nicks quickly, while alum takes a bit longer. It seems a fair amount of shavers also use alum over the whole face as an aftershave.

So, is there any downside to turning a styptic pencil on its side and rolling it over the whole face after a shave? I tried this yesterday and it felt good, leaving a nice tingling over the whole face (little harsh in the trouble areas of course). You have to rinse it off after a few minutes or else it leaves a residue, but even alum blocks that don't leave a residue recommend rinsing them off after a few minutes.

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You can get a block of alum made from a mold of your whole face. When your done shaving you just put your whole face into it.

Lol that might be on the pricy side

And isint the pencil a medicin while to alum is more natural

Theu do the same i just got better resaults with the alum because it also seals my pores and my neck dont break out

As far as I know styptic is just alum (or silver nitrate?) bound into a pencil shape. Or am I wrong there?

The main difference may be the concentration of the hemostatic chemical, I don't know. All I know is that a styptic stings like the hounds of hell whereas alum feels less so.

James.

I thought alum was a type of salt maybe im wrong lol

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Originally Posted by jkshave

I thought alum was a type of salt maybe im wrong lol

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There you go Alum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bob

Thx now i know more you right i stand corrected lol

So why does the alum block feel good and the pencil stings more iscit because it has a more concetrated amount? Bexause its bascily the same

It a compount that has salt in it ok i was parcial right lol

Well, the wikipedia article does say that alum is both a specific compound and also a generic term for a family of compounds involving sulphate salts.

Perhaps the intense stinging sensation felt with a styptic pencil over an alum block is related to both the concentration of the compound and the type of compound found in the pencil. It could be that the "alum" in an alum block has a different chemical composition to the "alum" found in a styptic pencil?

James.

I think the difference is that alum blocks are cut from naturally formed stones while the pencils are formed by melting alum and putting it in a mold. That makes the blocks smoother. I remember reading something like that on a post on badger and blade a few months ago.

Yes, the styptic form is more concentrated - not exactly a good thing for skin.

One thing I've never given up, after getting rid of most of the prep and after the shave oils, balms, and ointments I first tried, is the Alum block...for me, pure joy on the skin, really feels great and does wonder's for my skin, followed by a nice splash of AS.

The styptic pencil is only used when bitten by a blade....and it has come in handy a few times!!

Here is an article on alum blocks and styptic pencils All about Alum Block | A Great Shave . One small note, I asked a pharmacist what the difference was between alum with potassium and one with ammonium and was told the ammonium one would sting a bit more. I am currently using a crystal deodorant stick for my shaving alum. As far as I can tell alum blocks/deodorant sticks are a product of an industrial process involving the use of some heavy duty chemicals. I guess alum crystals do form naturally but probably not in enough quantity for consumer use so the word "natural" in connection with these products may have to be taken with a grain of salt. Probably more that you ever wanted to know but there it is.

Bob

"". You can get a block of alum made from a mold of your whole face. When your done shaving you just put your whole face into."" Think I saw that at Niagara Falls Canadian side this past summer. The shop where you could make a wax 'copy of your Fist'. Won't go on beyond that for fear of expulsion!!