Thread: After shave Burn

I also can't use alum as an aftershave treatment, makes my skin feel very uncomfortable. My routine; hot bath or shower (make sure you wash your beard area thoroughly). Work lather in for a couple of minutes, shave, hot water rinse after all of your passes (not inbetween passes) and then a cold water rinse for at least 30 seconds. Dry face, patting only. Aftershave splash, allow to dry. Talc on an old flannel patted onto the shaved area. This has been a real eye opener for me personally, really calms the skin, takes away any redness etc. Give it a go, worth a shot.

Alum is really (an an unintended benefit) a shave competency indicator. The worse it burns the more razor burn you have and like the guys said, either you are pressing too hard or you are using the wrong angle or you are doing too many passes. I'm assuming the blade is properly sharp.

I'm sure you're right, a bad shave and a quick rub around with the alum will sting somewhat, but i can do one pass, use the alum block and it still stings like hell. I use aftershave after every shave and, for the most part, no sting whatsoever! I simply cannot get on with alum, tried many times, but my skin reacts every time without fail!