Thread: face cut

All great advice, thanks guys. I'll be sure to incorporate/experiment with all that advice, all of which makes a lot of sence.

As far as the neosporin/alum block goes, I've always ignored the advice to use that stuff just cause every cut I've ever had shaving with disposables hasn't been a big deal. I just leave it alone and it goes away. Now here I am worrying that I'll get a scar. Hopefully I don't, but for the future should I use neosporin or the alum block. I prefer the alum block because I heard you can use it for traction when streching the skin and it helps heal it. On the other hand as fas as healing goes it just seams to me the neosporin will do a better job. They don't look like they could be used together.

I always use a alum block, both for traction, and then for rubbing over my face after a cold water splash when finished shaving, I then rinse it off after a couple minutes.
Neosporin is for the best possible healing of a cut, and is something entirely different than alum.

Ok, so I looked up alum and it's an astringent, which for shave helps stop bleeding apparently in small cuts. I read no mention of healing properties. So just in case I'm missing something, Blix, why would you use it after every shave, unless you bleed after every shave?

The alum block was used before the inception of antibiotics as an antibacterial. It's useful on cuts and abrasions on other areas of the body too. Also as a deodorant.

Hi again,

Alum has the property of contracting the skin cells, which is why you get a better grip with it. But, by contracting the skin cells, the is also what stops bleeding. It also shrinks the surrounding damaged skin of a cut and help the antibacterial properties assist the body to heal it naturally without having to also combat an infection from occurring.

I use alum after every shave to help contract the skin of my face, as well as disinfect it after a close shave. Tell you what, when you use it, you discover every nick there is, whether you knew it was there or not! But after damping your face with cold water and running the alum block over the shaved areas it just feels so much better, and cleaner, I guess it what I would call it. After cleaning my razor and brush, etc. I then can put after shave on then my colognes and off I go. If I have a nick or cut, I don't really freak any further than that regardless, because the cut will heal quickly they are so clean edged. They do itch at times while healing. I know, I have definitely had my share of cuts and nicks in the past 7 or 8 months. I haven't had a month go by I think that I didn't cut myself somewhere. It's just part of the territory.

Sorry, I ramble. I use the Alum first after a shave. If the cut is bad enough I put some neosporin on it to help it heal for the night. I shave at night most of the time, so it works good for me.

I love my alum, but neosporin is a must.

M

Alright, you guys sold me on this alum block. Now I'm trying to buy some.

Now not really knowing anything about alum, I'm sort of thinking it's like wood as in wood is wood. Where ever, by whomever it's going to be the same thing. With alum I'm sure it has to be made, but I'm also guessing there's one recipe.

If I'm right, then why the wide range of prices? If I'm wrong what is the difference in products. And whether I right or wrong, which is the best bang for your buck supplier? And lastly, how long does it last, if I use it for every shave for traction and to disinfect

Originally Posted by Knife

Ok, so I looked up alum and it's an astringent, which for shave helps stop bleeding apparently in small cuts. I read no mention of healing properties. So just in case I'm missing something, Blix, why would you use it after every shave, unless you bleed after every shave?

I use the alum after each shave. It is as Johnus stated. I have used the alum on minor skin irritation and acne. it has cleared up the problems much faster. I keep a bar in the shave den(small cramped bathroom) and a bar in the first-aid kit.

Originally Posted by Knife

Alright, you guys sold me on this alum block. Now I'm trying to buy some.

Now not really knowing anything about alum, I'm sort of thinking it's like wood as in wood is wood. Where ever, by whomever it's going to be the same thing. With alum I'm sure it has to be made, but I'm also guessing there's one recipe.

If I'm right, then why the wide range of prices? If I'm wrong what is the difference in products. And whether I right or wrong, which is the best bang for your buck supplier? And lastly, how long does it last, if I use it for every shave for traction and to disinfect

I buy from "Mama Bear" , it's good quality, Shavex, and fast delivery.

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Here is my opinion on some possible technique issues you might be having.

As was stated before streaching is very important, one thing I would like to add though is short 1" strokes means that for every pass you are actually making 3 or more passes, lifting readjusting angle and passing over skin that has been shaved already then if you do a XTG stroke you can add at least another 2 or so passes to any given square inch of skin for a total of approximately 4 passes, this technique can lead to some discomfort.

In the end if it works for your skin, more power to you, we are all special snowflakes with different skin.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers

A woman I work with looked at me today and mentioned that it looked like I had been attacked by a large cat. I explained that I was learning to use a straight razor and was averaging 1 cut every 2 days.

What struck me as odd, especially in light of my obvious trauma, was that she didn't ask why I was using a straight razor. I like her a little bit better now.