Thread: Shaving soap lather acting as a styptic

I've never noticed this. But I have clearly noticed the bright red blood bleeding through the lather on several occasions. Looks quite nasty to me. I don't fool around. I go straight for the styptic.

Thanks guys. All this pretty much correlates with my findings. I think it's significant that some soaps or creams do not seem to have any haemostatic properties and some have it in spades - I've found that the Proraso range is particularly effective.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If the bleeding is severe you can always put a tourniquet around your neck. That will stop the bleeding fast......

Eh-hehm...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...ml#post1474697

Though I didn't expect to need it, I had one on hand... "Just in case".

In a nutshell,do not cut yourself

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

In a nutshell,do not cut yourself

Yep. Do it right the first time. You cannot uncut yourself.

Originally Posted by Maladroit

Thanks guys. All this pretty much correlates with my findings. I think it's significant that some soaps or creams do not seem to have any haemostatic properties and some have it in spades - I've found that the Proraso range is particularly effective.

It's not quite as simple as that. You have to factor in your individual clotting characteristics, how thick the lather is and the type of cut or nick you have. I'm sure the phase of the moon comes in there somewhere too.

If, like me you are on blood thinning medication, then no soap, no matter what properties it has, will stem the flow. Apart from a styptic pencil and alum, I always have alum powder (just like a talcum powder) at the ready.

The first time I needed something stronger than styptic was just after bypass surgery - I caught the lobe of my ear and the only thing that stemmed it was Athletes foot powder. It wa a great conversation piece in my remedial gym class the same day.