Thread: Why sterilize? Public service message.

Ones that got tattoos at shady tat places yes

Originally Posted by DickWhitman

Ones that got tattoos at shady tat places yes

No worrys.I had my tats removed in 1971

Originally Posted by DickWhitman

Ones that got tattoos at shady tat places yes

I've known quite a few who have/had hepatitis C. Some survived, and even were cured with the interferon, than later the 'cocktail' that is what they are treating it with now. Some died of it. It is difficult to know where they contracted it. Of the ones I knew intravenous drug use, or having relations with IV users is far more likely than being tattooed.

Wow, never thought this would cause this many posts. Don't worry, there is only a very little chance to get any infections from a razor blade. Here is an example of how you could get a hepC or HIV infection from a razor, and you will see how unlikely it is: You have to cut yourself so blood gets on the razor, razor is infected, clock ticks, you have around 4 days at maximum. You shave with the razor in the morning, and put it in the mail asap. Most likely the razor will arrive to the recipient two days later in the morning, so two full days passed. If you have a day job, than you will most likely shave only in the afternoon or evening with the new razor. Two and a half days passed, and you have one chance to shave with the razor, because most likely the next day everything will be dead on the infected razor. You have to cut yourself with the razor, so it can get into your bloodflow.
If you would cut yourself with a razor with fresh HIV/hepc/b blood on it, than you would have around 1-5% chance to get the virus. Now imagine how much chance you have with a razor that was wiped clean, and was in the post for a few days. You have a much better chance to win the lottery than to get an infection like this

When I first saw the title of the OP I wondered if someone wanted to keep the human gene pool from getting any shallower. Kind of relieved when I read the body of the OP and realized I did not have to go into hiding.

Personally I think the chance of getting HepC from a straight razor is reasonably remote. Being a belt and suspender type of guy I figure it does no harm to wipe a blade down with household bleach, followed by a wipe down with peroxide and lastly a wipe down with rubbing alcohol. Then I am ready to restore and hone the razor.

Bob

I've never worried about it, but I've also never shaved with an uncleaned razor within 4 days of someone else shaving with it. I don't use strops that have been used in a decade by someone else, nor do I use used brushes.

Take reasonable steps if it makes you feel better, that's my thought.

I do usually, as a courtesy either bleach or barbicide razors that I decide to no longer keep.