Thread: Alum block = MAGIC!

I recently started shaving with a straight again, and even after getting a sharp razor and developing a decent technique I was having terrible trouble with ingrown hairs, especially in the area right below my lower lip. A few hours after shaving my chin would be a mass of white bumps, and some would get infected and painful. They're even worse when I use a conventional razor or an electric, which is part of what drove me to try a straight. I saw a few suggestions for ingrown hair sufferers to try an alum block and all I can saw is WOW! This thing stopped them dead! I've shaved three times now using the block as a pre and post-shave with exactly one tiny little white bump. That includes the upper chin area that I previously couldn't even shave, instead I'd just hit with a beard trimmer. I even shaved two days in a row, which has made the problem twice as bad every other time I've tried it. It's really like night and day. If anyone else is having similar trouble, an alum block is worth it's weight in gold. I got mine from Mama Bear soaps (she makes some awesome soap as well, I love the sandalwood). Now I can finally look forward to shaving instead of dreading it.

wow!, I didnt know an alum block was good for this. I also have always had the dreadful problem of all of the little white bumps usually from the corners of my mouth down to my chin and sometimes under my lower lip. I will have to order an alum and see how it works.

btw, how exactly do you use it for pre and post shave?

Ty

Just wet it and rub it all over your face beforehand, then do the same thing again afterwards. Leave it on for a minute or so (I just leave it on while cleaning my razor, brush, and bowl) then rinse it off. That's all. Kiss those ugly bumps goodbye!

Where did you get yours? I can't find them on normal drugstore websites...

Charles at QED makes a great one. It is in a stick. Best I have tried. I do not have a bump problem but love using one.

forgive my ignorance... but what is QED?

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

They're even worse when I use a conventional razor or an electric, which is part of what drove me to try a straight.

I'm in exactly the same boat. Thanks for posting, I'll have to give the alum block a shot too.

I just ordered 5 alum blocks for $1.79 each. I will report if they are OK or not when I try one. http://www.tulumba.com/storeitem.asp?ic=BB547960UD875

bj

I actually really dislike the alum block. It gives me irritation where I normally wouldn't get it. I threw mine away. . .