What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil?
What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil? I know that they are made from different materials but their purposes seems to be the same.
Is there something I am missing? Is there a reason why one would be preferred over the other?
Thank you for your insights.
What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil?
It's my understanding a stypic pencil is for closing cuts that are bleeding. The alum block is for sealing micro cuts with no blood, more like an stringent to tighten the skin and prevent bacteria in micro cuts.
I may be wrong but that's what I use them for. You can pick up a block pretty cheap...from $3-$10. They sell more expensive ones but I haven't seen a benefit from them.
What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil?
Are they different materials? I thought the styptic was the same except it is more porous so it dissolves product onto the area more readily?
Alum is pure aluminum sulfate according to my resources. Where as styptic is ~56% aluminum sulfate (alum) with the remainder being titanium dioxide and alcohol.
The styptic uses these other ingredients to make the skin look more natural (not to aid clotting) so that the product can be left on.
There is your primary difference. Styptic is intended for bigger cuts and to be *left on*. For if washed off, the cut may begin bleeding again. By contrast alum is a temporary treatment that is intended to be washed off the face prior to leaving the shavatorium.