Thread: Why use Alum

alum is antiseptic and will help prevent any nicks or tiny abrasions from getting infected. this is really important if you sometimes have some irritation and bumpiness after shaving, because if you don't use a good antiseptic then those can easily turn to whiteheads. my experience since starting to use alum is that, when i DO get any irritation or bumps, it's milder and less often reminiscent of acne.

as for sealing nicks with an alum block, just rub it over the nick for a lot longer than you think you should have to, like 10-15 seconds. it has helped with small nicks for me when i've really rubbed it on them a lot.

It helps to close the pores I use it after every shave...love it!

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

It helps to close the pores I use it after every shave...love it!

Pores doesn't close or open, it just feel like like that...

I use it for traction when shaving and as an astringent after, love it.

Last but not least it's a mighty fine shave test. If you are clumsy with a razor you face will burn. Little burn or none means you didn't abuse your skin.

By the way make sure you don't get ammonium alum that's for under arm perspiration. Potassium alum is for the face.

Thanks
I stopped in on the way home from work to AOS and got one of their Alum blocks, came in a nice plastic carrier... Used it this morning with almost no sting

I just ordered an Osma Block yesterday and it was shipped out in the afternoon, should have it by Friday. Here's to hoping I like it.

I just started using it recently. I use it to give my fingers traction in stretching skin and then after my last pass I splash my face with hot water to open it up good and rub it on. I like how it tells me the parts of my face I did well on or not and think it is a great metric for quality of shave. I let it soak in while I brush my teeth and put on anti-perspirant (which I have yet to try using it for also) then I do a cold water splash to rinse it off and close things up. Pat my face dry and put on some thayers witch hazel with a cotton pad and then follow with a balm. Winter now and the humidity drops to under 40% in my apartment so the balm is crucial to preventing my face from drying up and cracking. I think the extended shave ritual of the wet-shaver has helped remove dead skin anyway but I need something moisturizing during the winter like a balm to prevent trouble. In the summer I would use a more traditional aftershave like proraso splash instead of the with hazel and balm.

For me the Alum is a great addition and this Osma Block seems like it might last forever. Any ideas how long they last?

I use it. It's cool and refreshing, helps to reduce irritation and it's antiseptic. I just make it part of my routine. Warm water to rinse off the lather, cold water splash then alum block, aftershave splash and I'll rub in a little Feather Kanwa or Kiehl's moisturizer. Most days I can go about my life and not think about my face at all after this. YMMV.

It has many uses:

After a shave it can measure the shave quality
i.e. if it stings or burns the shave was harsh
because the edge was dull or the angle wrong
or shave prep less than it might be.

It is a modest antiseptic and can keep a harsh
shave from getting infected or angry to the point
that tomorrows shave is doomed.

It is a modest styptic and will staunch small weepers.
A styptic pencil lets you apply precise pressure that
is important for small cuts and nicks.

It is a modest face antiperspirant.

Some love it some hate it.

It does not go bad and lasts a long time.

For me it is seasonal. I like it for hot
August days...

Do rinse it off before you leave the
house or before your gal gives ya
a kiss.