Thread: Healing of cuts and nicks

Hello,
I'm about seven to 10 shaves into using an SR. It's been an interesting learning curve. It takes me a long time to do a shave. I probably should only be doing WTG instead of trying all three types of passes.

I'm worried about some probably minor cuts. Will they heal? Will I have permanent scarring? Ok, I'm a little vain and want to preserve whatever is left of a smooth face.

I did get cuts with a DE also. All of these cuts have healed completely so they must not have been deep. Since using an SR I've noticed about four long scars but they aren't very deep. This didn't happen with a DE. The DE caused bleeding but not scarring. I'm hoping as my SR technique improves I won't get cuts.

Since using an SR, I can have a few shaves with no cuts and think I've got it down and feel victorious. Then, during the next shave I might have one large, but not deep, cut and it makes me second guess the wisdom of shaving with a straight. Then I think I should even go back to a plastic throwaway shaver to not get any cuts.

That probably sounds insane and I probably wouldn't do it. Sorry for the rambling.

I use a Styptic pencil to stop the bleeding. My question is more about what to do after that in terms of skin care and other ideas. Please share your ideas about this and some remedies/products to heal cuts and your experiences with the healing of cuts.
Thank you,
July10newbie

I haven't found any product that really works well. Not even styptic pencils etc.
Blood clotting is an enzymatic process and it proceeds best at body temperature. So no cold water or alcohol but a warm washing mitt held against the skin. Gelatin works well, professionally I use Willospon.
Razor held at a shallow angle against the skin helps as well.

Not bragging here but ive only nicked myself shav8ng 3 times in my first year of shaving. After the blood stops running on the floor, ha, i just dont shave the next day and try to give that spot an extra day to heal. Then right back at it. I dont worry about putting something on it or scaring. They seem to heal up just fine and no scars.

Now ive been married for over 20 years so it dont mater too much what i look like. Shes got to love me. Lol. If your a younger guy and still on the hunt for a young pretty thing good luck to ya.

Forgot to mention: Willospon (or Spongostan which is similar but much more expensive) also work well if you are on warfarin.

Polysporin or something similar works great I find - was a tip Lynn shared many moons ago.

When I occasionally get a nick/bleeder, little dot of Polysporin will seal it up rather quickly, and then a fresh application I find heals it quickly and cleanly....

According to the plastic surgeon my wife consulted after getting a fairly nasty wound under her eye the best thing for most facial wounds is Vaseline. The blood flow to the face is such that there is simply no need for antibiotic ointments and he recommended against them given that they can cause irritation and allergic reactions. My wife used nothing else on her wound (which she feared would leave a permanent scar) and you can't even see it.

Originally Posted by Lazarus

According to the plastic surgeon my wife consulted after getting a fairly nasty wound under her eye the best thing for most facial wounds is Vaseline. The blood flow to the face is such that there is simply no need for antibiotic ointments and he recommended against them given that they can cause irritation and allergic reactions. My wife used nothing else on her wound (which she feared would leave a permanent scar) and you can't even see it.

That's good to know - thanks - my wife is a nurse and as suggested the same in the past, says it can be an irritant, I'll mention the Vaseline to her, it makes sense.....

Don't worry, chicks dig scars

Usually nothing scars, unless you get it deep enough.

You might have a mark or discoloration with regular cuts, but those will all fade and disappear. For those there are a lot of different type of creams and the likes, with certain ingredients and moisturizing and anti-bacterial properties. One among many I was given by a plastic surgeon was Cicaplast by La Roche Posay, it's by far the favorite one I was given.

Due to my line of work I have quite a few scars in my face; none that have come from shaving were permanent.

IF you really got a nasty one, after it's "closed up" (usually requiring stitches), silicone gel is supposed to be very effective.

(also sun exposure to damaged skin that is still healing is a no-go, ergo a sunscreen with good UV blocking properties is advised)

(I also think topical Adapelene aids in the healing of serious scars)


And indeed, chicks dig scars.

You don't wanna die without any scars, just sayin'

A couple of things to remember.
Any lateral movement with the razor will result in a cut .
Any lifting of the heel & concentrating the stroke onto the toe will result in a cut.
A high shaving angle can result in irritation & weepers.
Excess pressure will cause weepers.

After skin care would be aided by any balm containing Calendula Officinalis. The diluted tincture is bacteriostatic & aids the body to heal wounds & burns at optimal speed.