Thread: Alum

Is Alum used for stretching the skin while shaving or as an application for a nick or cut?

You can use alum in a few ways
.
On the fingers to keep them dry and help stretch the skin.
To help close a nick or cut.
All over a wet face at the end of a shave to condition and close the pores. The stinging is a pretty good barometer that tells you if you were heavy handed with the razor and caused irritation.

I personally use it after every shave on the wet face.


Pete <:-}

Alum is used as an astringent after shaving. Some people do put a little on their fingertips to get a better grip for skin stretching. I think it corrodes razor steel pretty easily so be careful.

Styptic pencils are used on cuts to help stop the bleeding. Alum won't really stop bleeding from a cut.

Love Alum. I use it on my fingertips as described above, and then when I'm done shaving I'll wet the block and rub it over the areas shaved. Use before or after aftershave, I haven't noticed much difference either way but I tend to do it before.

Never have used alum on my finger tips to aid in stretching skin, just did not find it necessary. I do use alum on a wet face post shave every shave. It has some anti bacterial properties as well as it helps tighten this old jowly visage some. I also have oily skin and was subject to pimples even at my age. Since starting to use alum post shave that has cleared up too possibly due to it anti bacterial properties? For me, it will work to stanch the blood from small weepers and cuts. Not as well as a styptic pencil though.

Bob

I use alum once in a while just to test how well my shave was. Wet face and rub Alum. If i get next to no burn then i did well. Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.

I really like RazorRock alum.
Comes in a re-closable plastic tube and lasts a good long time.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by Gasman

I use alum once in a while just to test how well my shave was. Wet face and rub Alum. If i get next to no burn then i did well. Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.

I buy this at my local Wally World https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/natural.../6000191648391 . Yea, I know it is the wrong type of alum according to some but it works for me. Comes in a handy turn up container, easy to apply and then dry the tip with some toilet paper before screwing the top back on and storing. Got a smaller 1/2 size version for travel at a local health store. No fuss no muss and I don't have to order it in.

Bob

I used to use it religiously but don't anymore. It's main use is after shaving to tone and condition the skin. For cuts they have styptic stick which is mostly alum but has other stuff to stop bleeding.

By the way skin pores never change. They can't open and close. I forget if that's shave myth #5 or #6.

I also use alum in a twist up container. I use it after a shave and have been using it as a pit stick since the beginning of summer and it has been extremely effective.