What's an alum block ??
Is it the same as a styptic pencil?
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What's an alum block ??
Is it the same as a styptic pencil?
It's a crystal, similar concept to a styptic pencil but its a lot harder and lasts longer. Also the effect is not as strong as a styptic pencil.
You use it after you've shaved and it closes the pores, reduces reddening, and stops very small nicks and weepers. I don't use mine very often now, I prefer Proraso a/s splash which does the same kind of thing but has other things in it to make your skin feel good afterwards. With the alum block I think you're supposed to use a moisuriser or skin food afterwards.
ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by Iwan
Have you tried the Proraso a/s milk? I'm tempted to try it.
Yes it's very good, but it's not really a toner or astringant like an alum block or an alcohol based a/s. I use Proraso a/s splash immediately after shaving to close the pores and tone the skin, and then I sometimes use the milk later in the day if my skin is feeling a little dry - though not always.Quote:
Originally Posted by northpole
Proraso a/s splash is quite hard to get in the UK, but you can buy it on Ebay at a very reasonable price.
100ml
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Proraso-Afters...QQcmdZViewItem
400ml
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Proraso-Afters...QQcmdZViewItem
Actually the alum block is the mineral alum, very pure. The septic is part alum but contains other things to stop bleeding. Very different purposes.The purpose of the alum block is to tone up the skin after shaving and it helps close up the pores. I find it softens the skin also. I always use it after shaving and then use witchhazel followed by an aftershave.
alum block is made out of the same stuff that the pencils are generally.
Besides, unless you really slice yourself open witch-hazel is more than sufficient :)
This is slightly :OT , but there is another application for alum that might help some...
Several years ago i suffered severe eczema in my knee pits. I would literally scratch myself until the skin was gone.
I found that alum helped. It dries out the skin and soothes. The skin still comes loose, but you can brush it off without scratching and itching.
How did I find out? Well, if nothing helps, you'll try EVERYTHING.
If the skin is already open from scratching, applying alum feels like being flayed alive. Afterwards, I couldn't bend my legs for hour without severe pain.
Still, it was better than the itch. People who say that you should not scratch when it itches have never had eczema.
In the end, the eczema turned out to be caused by colorants in the soup I ate at work. Took me only a couple of years to find out...
I bought an alum block. I haven't used it yet. What is the proper technique for using it?
Also a bit :OT
First time I heard of alum was over 6 years ago when my first daughter was born. The obstetrician told me to get some Alum at the drugstore to made the hemorrhoids go away after they arose giving birth.
IT WORKED EXCELLENT!
After that I learned that it was also used to stop bleeding when shaving. So I bought this big crystal of alum... and this same crystal workes great until today for stopping any smal (or bigger) cut that I've "deliverd" to my face in the last years.
Michel
Dab a bit of water in the spot you're going to shove against the cut then work that part into the cut. Some people just press right onto the without working it and hold it for 10 to 20 seconds or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by rase
I'm sure everyone has their own technique but that's a general way.
I am new to straight shaving and using the Alum blocks but I have found the following method to work well for me.
Finish your shave, warm rinse to clean pores and cold rinse to close them.
Leave your face wet and cold, rinse your alum block briefly under cold water and then apply to the face using a gentle circular motion on the shaved area of your face.
Let your face dry naturally, dont dry it out straight away. Let nature do its thing, it only takes a couple of minutes. If you need to dry quickly, then lightly dab your face a couple of times to speed things up but try and avoid rubbing your face dry as it can cause uneccessary discomfort.
By now, the astringent quality in the alum will be taking effect, and depending on how much irritation or razor burn you have, and how sensitive your skin is, you will nonetheless be feeling some degree of "tightening" of the skin.
This is the alum blocks astringent quality coming into play, and it is now toning your skin. From what I understand, it should be noted that it can be a little painful for some guys who have particularly sensitive skin, or who have a few nicks/cuts, or have shave burn.
I find that when I have a good shave, with no irritation, cuts or razor burn etc, that when I apply the alum block, the "tightening" phase is almost reduced to nothing .. it is barely noticeable. This I suppose could be used as some guage as to how good a shave you have had, at least in some basic fashion.
I love the alum block, but I do not use it every time I shave, and you don't have to either. Some swear by it and use it every day, some use it once in a while like me. The choice is yours :)
Sometimes when I use the alum block, I cold rinse again a few minutes after my final cold rinse, and then rub in a little proraso green pre/post shave cream, and then apply a moisturiser of choice, for me TAGMSC a/s milk, or Trumpers Coral Skin Food and then some a/s or cologne before I head out.
I hope that helps and whatever you do, have fun :D
i use it the same way as shorty i guess you can use it to find out how well your doing if it stings a hell of lot all over then maybe your presing to hard on the razor, i know it stung all over my face at the start but now hardley any. which is great:rolleyes:
Here's something to consider when using styptic pencils and alum:
They both contain an aluminum based mineral. aluminum based minerals have been scientifically linked to increased risk of alzheimer's disease.
Just some more fat to chew on there.
I keep the styptic around only for bad bleeders.
I tried to do the same thing as shorty and it HURT all over my face. I'm not talking a little bit of tingeling I'm talking real BURN.
I washed it off with water, alcohol and then applied TAGMSC asb and Coral skin food but I was hurt bad for the next 2 days.....
Needless to say NEVER again.
Now I just use it to stop the serious bleeders by pressing a corner into the wound and moving it around a little bit. That works just fine for me...but NEVER again as an aftershave....hurts just thinking about it.
It hurts me when i apply it, but it reduces the red marking i get after shaving from applying too much pressure.
Actually, it has not. This is another urban legend. The supposed link with aluminum has been studied to death, but to my knowledge most of the studies found no relationship and of those that did, each one was found to have been completely confounded with other issues. Do not fear aluminum unless it is in the form of an automobile approaching you at 60 MPH!Quote:
Originally Posted by FUD
Cheers,
Ed
I have had a couple of occasions where "the burn" is painful, usually when I multi-pass and am in a hurry, or when I am shaving on consecutive days.Quote:
Originally Posted by LX_Emergency
Here I am guessing that the irritation (burn) occurs when the skin has been "hammered". For those with sensitive skin then, I suppose it would follow that the effect of irritation is amplified if similar circumstances were applied and could be quite painful.
I don't know as if there is any solution to the irritation as such though, it sounds as though your skin doesn't want to play ball with alum as an aftershave.
I think I'll not try to find out. Could a an allergic type reaction. Since starting the straight shave I found out there's quite a few things my skin can't handle.
My block came in just yesterday. I've only used it the once but it will become a regular part on my shave in the future. All I experienced was a little tingle in the places where I get a sting from alcohol based aftershave and a sting in the little nick on my neck. All in all not unpleasant at all. Nice toning action I really liked that, and it left me scent free for my balm of choice.