Thread: Say "NO" to Styptic Pencils

I use pure aloe vera as my after-aftershave (after jojoba oil) every day. I haven't found it to have any effect on bleeding, and I actually find it rather stings even on slightly irritated skin. (My bottle claims to be alcohol-free, but it sure doesn't feel like it. The ingredients list actually also has a few other chemicals, even though it's called "100% pure Aloe Vera".)

I'll try it sometime.

Grandma used to make ice cubes out of a decoction of plantain or stinging nettle. We used it to stop bleeding and disinfect in one step. Many green leafy plants will work. I still carry dried powdered nettle in my hunting bag first-aid kit.

Thanks for the tip.

Originally Posted by BurnBeGone

I use pure aloe vera as my after-aftershave (after jojoba oil) every day. I haven't found it to have any effect on bleeding, and I actually find it rather stings even on slightly irritated skin. (My bottle claims to be alcohol-free, but it sure doesn't feel like it. The ingredients list actually also has a few other chemicals, even though it's called "100% pure Aloe Vera".)

They actually have to put preservative chemicals in it. Aloe straight from the plant breaks down in a matter of minutes after removal from the plant and loses all its medicinal properties. It was actually a big deal in the field of burn treatment back in the seventies when they finally found a way to stabilize the stuff so they could package it.

Originally Posted by BurnBeGone

I use pure aloe vera as my after-aftershave (after jojoba oil) every day. I haven't found it to have any effect on bleeding, and I actually find it rather stings even on slightly irritated skin. (My bottle claims to be alcohol-free, but it sure doesn't feel like it. The ingredients list actually also has a few other chemicals, even though it's called "100% pure Aloe Vera".)

What are the other ingredients?

I stopped using a styptic pencil when I got into straight shaving. Since then I've only been using an alum block and cold water. My cuts become invisible! As for the sting, it really isn't that much. Then again, I grew up practically with cuts everywhere, surprised I don't have any scars, and always used alcohol to clean them. So I'm quite used to it, and don't feel much when I use the alum block.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Styptic pencils are like a spanking--it let's you know when you've been bad

You get spankings when you've been bad?