i guess i need to be filled in on this alum bar face treatment, where do you purchase it and what does it do for your face??
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i guess i need to be filled in on this alum bar face treatment, where do you purchase it and what does it do for your face??
Alum is a good product that I never heard about until I started coming to the forums. It has quite a few uses.
Closes pores
Helps stop bleeding of any weepers,
It gives you feedback on how well you did shaving (it will burn on the places you got a little too aggressive
you can rub some on your fingers to help your grip when stretching your skin
It really helps stop razor bumps for me. Its a very cheap product and works.
I use it for mosquito bites as well
Wiki to the rescue: Alum - Straight Razor Place Wiki
What I do with alum is take the bar and rub it on my face after the shave (when I've washed remaining lather off with warm water). The I let it sit there while I dry my razor, brush and cup. Then I wash it away with cold water (and apply balm).
Ursus is pretty right on to how I use it. I'd suggest picking up a soap dish or something with raised ridges to set it on to dry out afterwards. They have a tendency to crack or get brittle if left wet.
It's a very nice tight feeling you get after application.
I found that doing this caused problems with further passes due to it's astringent nature. The lather hates it too!Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyfingers
I do like alum for the other reasons you mention though.
I use it all the time. It won't stop bleeding like a septic stick will though. It's great for the skin and is a great test for your shaving abilities.Most sites selling shaving supplies sell them. The cheapest place to get it is a Turkish products site in NYC whose name alludes me right now but I'm sure someone with a better memory than mine will come along with it.
What everyone else has said fits how I use mine almost to a T. I use it after every shave. Rinse face with cold water, wet block, rub block all over where I have shaved, clean everything up (brush, dry razor, soap dish) cold rinse face, apply aftershave. Wow that's a lot of steps. It really seems to tighten up my skin closing the pores and such. Almost all the vendors listed on this site carry alum blocks. :gl:
Talumba would be the site to get them the cheapest.
Thanks for the info and the wiki link. That pretty much does it for me. I'm gonna get a block. Since I'm a cut-throat newb, I get razor burn galore.Quote:
Originally Posted by ursus
Welcome mate,
You're welcome. For newbie, it's quite useful item since it tells you where you need to improve your touch. However, it will sting if you are cutting too close, as the razor burn would suggest. But I'd imagine that will go away when you improve your technique (angle, pressure) and prep.
Alum is nice, but it's no miracle cure. Aftershave balms might be nicer if you are experiencing razor burn.
I really love that BURN!!!!! And I am not the only one (you know who you are)
I take bloodthinners, so when I nick myself it tends to bleed or weep alot. I use alum powder which helps stop the bleeding. Though I've never tried a styptic pencil.
That will improve as your technique improves. I've been using a straight for a couple months now, and I already feel my technique has improved dramatically, but I also know I have a lot to learn. The main thing I try to focus on is using the least amount of pressure I can. Then it's just a matter of learning how to shave each part of your face. I had a wonderfully smooth shave last night, but after I was finished I found a couple spots that still had some whiskers. Oh well, those are the areas I'll pay more attention to next time. It reminded me of when I first started using a DE. I didn't get BBS every shave right away. It took awhile. Some mornings I would find spots I missed after I went to work. The next time I shaved, I made sure to take care of those areas. Eventually you learn how to shave each spot and develop your own pattern of shaving.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruben00110010
Don't worry, it will come. Enjoy the journey because that's what it's all about!
Get one ASAP. I use the Pacific Shaving nick stick. It's like a tiny roll-on deodorant bottle, but the "sticks" work fine too and are cheaper. You can get one at Wal-Mart for $0.97Quote:
Originally Posted by kipper
I'd be worried with the blood thinners. It sounds like alum has done the job so far, but you might get a cut someday that alum can't handle very well. The styptic pens work amazing;y well. :)
Thanks for the info Hayduke, I just ordered 2 styptic pecils.
I sure hope so. I've been able to shave everywhere on my face WTG and XTG, I mostly get the burn when I make the last shot ATG and mostly on the neck and chin around the corners of my mouth. I've only been using an SR for about three weeks now and the the post shave feel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayduke
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Rube
As your avatar might say...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruben00110010
A very light touch a straight shaver must have. :jedi:
Seriously though, I haven't using the straight too much longer then you, but the light touch has been the most important lesson I've learned so far. I'm also discovering that, like with a DE, I have to learn how to shave each part of my face. Each little curve requires a unique approach. It's kind of like learning a racetrack (car, bikes, whatever), you learn each turn separately. Everytime you mess up in a turn (cut yourself, cause razor burn, or miss a spot in our case), you learn something. Eventually you learn the whole course. Eventually you will have intimate knowledge of every part of your beard and face.
Good luck :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc
Oh ya!!!! (it's like a little added bonus) :rock:
Does that make us a little strange :thinking:
Was reading a bit on Alum, where some additional considerations were offered to the Wiki info as follows:
Alum blocks should not be confused with styptic pencils. They act as an astringent...much the same as an alcohol based aftershave. After shaving just wet you face and gently rub a wet block over the shaved area. Alum closes the skin pores and tightens the skin. It will stop bleeding from "weepers" and there is no scent to interfere with your choice of cologne. It also serves as a yardstick to judge the quality of your shave.....if you have shaved too close..you may feel some mild stinging.
I also keep another one for use as an underarm deodorant. Alum has an antibacterial function...it won't stop you sweating....but it does kill the bacteria which cause body odour.
All in all....it's well worth the buy. This was the Original Aftershave. It has saved me a fortune on expensive aftershaves and is much more effective. I prefer to use a longer lasting cologne for my scents.
I wet it and rub it on my face after the shave... first with warm water... then cold water and I leave it there for about 5-10 minutes. Then, I rinse and put on some aftershave balm to rehydrate my face.
Since I got an alum block, I don't use an aftershave, per se (the AS balm is mainly used as an hydrating cream). And it is also A LOT cheaper... AND works a lot better. No more ingrown hair.
And the Bay Rum aftershave right after....ohh ya!Quote:
Originally Posted by sbrouwers
I just want to say thank you to all for the comments on the alum block. I have not used one but now I find myself interested in trying it out. There are always items of interest to find in the forums and I appreciate the chance to learn. Cheers to all!
Randy