Thread: Why use Alum

Hey everyone, not sure if this is the correct subforum for this so if I misplaced I apologize in advance.

Anyway,
As I read more and more I find more references to people using Alum blocks during a post shave routine, from what I understand alum is pretty much a less aggressive form of styptic which would be used to seal up cuts and nicks, yet some people seem to rub alum on after every shave...

Is there another reason people like to do this or are people just carving themselves up that much?

Thanks in advance!

Alum and styptic are different. The Styptic stick is alum based but it contains chemicals to stop bleeding. Personally, I have never had even a most minor nick sealed with alum. The main reason folks use alum is as a post shave toner. It firms up the skin.

Cool! Guess I'll pick some up and give it a shot (I am getting addicted to buying shaving stuff LOL)

Ps, thank you for moving this to the correct forum, (Still learning my way around )

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!

It will also help of you find a razor particularly slippery. Just wet your fingers and rub the alum on them. It helps holding on to things when your hands might get moist.

You can also use it as a deodorant.

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