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.
Thanks for asking this. I will be watching too. From what I gather the alum is used on the skin after each shave and the other difference is about 17 bucks ?
I believe that Alum is good for small nicks and weepers. Also a good antiseptic that closes the pores after a shave. Some folks use the block all over the face after a shave, let it sit while cleaning up brush, etc then rinse and put on after shave. Styptic is for nicks and cuts and not some thing you would put all over your face.
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.
My own personal use of alum block is to rub it all over the still moist face after a shave. It does close minor weepers and small cuts. The styptic stick is more for hard core repair, the larger cuts. BTW don't pay more than US$7-8 for one. Someone said you can get them for a couple of bucks at Indian stores, but I haven't looked.
One alum block will last forever - or until you drop it in the sink and it shatters - whichever comes first. If you put it in a sealed container or a zip lock bag I have heard that it will melt.
Alum - Straight Razor Place Wiki
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.
+1 to unit there. Styptic is for actual cuts and is left on.
The two are related but quite different chemically.
Styptic pencils are normally made from aluminium sulfate. Alum blocks are made from a different form of aluminum sulfate.
Alum blocks are made of potassium double sulfate of aluminium. Its chemical formula is KAl(SO4)2 and it is commonly found in its dodecahydrate form as KAl(SO4)2·12(H2O). Alum is the common name for this chemical compound, given the nomenclature of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate.
I guess I will purchase an alum block to complement my styptic pencil.
I noticed that with the styptic pencil you have white residue on your face if you do not wipe it off.
After my first shave I had only 1 cut and quite a few little nicks. I ended up just using the styptic pencil like a giant crayon for my face.
After the bleeding stops wet a finger and gently rub the white areas. They should disappear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swan
Yeah I hear just buy the basic alum block since no one seems to be able to tell us why one is more expensive than the other. I find stypics for like a buck at walmart?!
Although many people think that they do, the pores of the skin can neither close nor open.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbonder
The Welsh wizard strikes. With the help of the internet I will expand a bit further on the pore issue.
There’s no magical process or product that will cause your pores to "open" and allow impurities to rise to the skin’s surface. By the same token, splashing cold water on your face - or doing anything else for that matter - won’t cause the gates to slam shut on your pores. Simply put, "pores are pretty stationary," says Susan C. Taylor, M.D., a dermatologist in Philadelphia...What you’re doing when you steam your face is causing the blood vessels to dilate and the skin to swell slightly. Similarly, "astringents and toners slightly irritate the walls of the pores and make them swell, causing the pores to look smaller," Baumann explains. But they haven’t actually changed in size.
So I guess that nice smooth feeling I get a few minutes after rubbing the alum block across my moist face is just chemically induced swelling. Either way it feels smooth.
And you definitely only need to buy the cheapest alum blocks and styptic sticks you can find. It is all the same (even if blocks and sticks are different).
Of course the pores of the skin open and close. Just go outside on a hot , humid day and look at your skin with a magnifier and compare that with the way they look when you go outside on a cold day.
Whether these preparations do that I don't know.
Alum doesn't have to cost much money. if it's sold by some fancy outfit they charge alot but you can by from an outfit like Tolumba (spelling) for very little and it's the same stuff.
Are you really meant to rinse your face after using the alum block?
I have been applying it, letting it dry then applying aftershave.
To the opening post, the pen is meant as a spot treatment for large nicks & cuts, the block can help seal cuts if you rub the affected area long enough but is intended to minimise razor burn & irritation around the entire face.
You are supposed to rub the block over your face when the face is still wet (or at least moist) from rinsing off the lather, then let it dry while you are doing something else. Once it has dried I put on some lotion.
Great ? I was wondering the same thing. I bought the styptic and boy does it burn on the cuts. However it closes them perfect. I had a fast morning the other day and a couple accidents. It did the job :) I guess I need to get the Block to add in the collection.
Hmm. Interesting thread. I've been washing off my alum before putting on aftershave. Perhaps I should be leaving it on?
Steve
Proraso makes a nick healer that works absolute wonders on cuts as well, its comes in a tube in clear gel form. I've also seen people rub the alum block on their fingers to make grabbing the skin easier ( secondary use )
For cuts I use a product called "My Nik is Sealed" it is the size of a septic pencil, but is a liquid with a tiny roll-on ball applicator. It really works great for me. Here is the ingredients:
Methyl Cellulose, Phenyl Salicylate, Begamont Oil,Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Aloe, Aluminum Chloride, Benzocaine,SD38B Alcohol.
You can see it is quite different than other products.
I leave the alum on for a minute or so while I cleanup the brush, etc, then wash it off. I find it starts to itch and leaves a slight residue if I don't.
For cuts I use a Pinaud styptic pencil which I got from a drugstore. It will probably last several more years. It seems to dissolve more when I wash it off after use than during actual application.