Thread: My Doctor Advised Me To Stop Shaving With a Straight Razor!

Just to be on the safe side, pick up some Wound Seal powder.
It stops bleeding in cuts in about 5 seconds, deep punctures in about 30 seconds.
I think it is sold over the counter now at most drug stores..

Or have your doctor recommend a wound sealer

Just keep a buncha duct tape and super glue on hand!

I've had two major neck operations and the surgeon said to shave with a safety razor with the grain for 2-4 months mostly to avoid infection. I didn't like not using my straights but did it. Now the problems are scars on my neck. I use my DE around the scars even though I got good at shaving around the scars with a straight. If he said give it up all together, I'd get a second opinion.

I'm sure that your doctor is a competent medical professional, but his opinion is akin to someone who's never owned a gun or manned a defensive perimeter giving you advice on home-defense.

He's reactionary, and offering advice on a subject which he knows nothing about.

People who don't shave with a straight razor think that it's some sort of blood bath waiting to happen. I thought the same thing myself and was truly afraid to start until I found Lynn's videos. I don't say there is no potential for harm but being careful I have only had 2 very small nicks, both caused by a spike on a razor, which explains why I was told to avoid them before I get more experience
Physicians will always advice you with the worst scenario in mind and after that they will document it so you don't go back and sue them. One of the craziest lawsuits I have read about was a guy with chest pain dying one day prior his medical test while having a threesome with another couple he was friends with and then the widow suing the cardiologist for not telling him not to have a strenuous activity prior the test.
The meds you get after getting stents are usually not true blood thinners but antiplatelet meds which block the platelets from sticking together and creating a block in the stent. Do people bleed longer when they take them, yes they do that's why the surgeons prefer to operate when those meds are out of your system but I have never heard of anybody bleeding to death from a cut while on anti platelet meds. Of course if you manage to cut your carotid then you will probably bleed to death.

Originally Posted by alex1921

People who don't shave with a straight razor think that it's some sort of blood bath waiting to happen.

It's Johnny Depp's fault.

Now that is dedication to the cause!

Doctor: "You need to stop using a straight. You're on blood thinners and a serious cut could cause you to bleed out."

Wet Shaver: "What are my chances doc, should I get a good gouge?"

Doctor: "There is about a 90% you won't make it."

Wet Shaver: "So, your saying there is still chance I'll pull through? 10% is good for me! Saaaayyy, can you spare one of those scalpels? I want to see how it compares to my Wade and Butcher."

I have a friend with a stent who takes blood thinners. If he bumps his forearm against a table he gets a large purple bruise where he is bleeding under the skin. Years ago when I was still working at a tattoo shop the boss was tattooing an old guy on serious blood thinners.

As soon as the needles punctured the skin the surrounding area (under the skin) would fill with that same purple bruising (blood) making it almost impossible to see the stencil. So the guy had to get the tattoo, which ordinarily would have taken 30 minutes or so, in stages. Wait for it to heal and come back for more.

From my observation a superficial cut/nick would not cause you to bleed to death, though it might be difficult to stop for a time. I imagine your doctor has a distorted image of what a straight razor nick is like.

OTOH, if you get an electric razor my buddy with the stent swears by the Norelco.

I like the idea of using a double edged safety razor for a few weeks for a couple of reasons.

First, double (and single) edged safety razors are really cool. I enjoy shaving with them. Admittedly, not as cool as a straight, but still way cool.

Next, a challenge all people face as they age is whether to face body changes with acceptance and grace. While it's better now, I had to have back surgery because of my challenges here.

Interesting thread. I have been on 2 different blood thinners for about 7 years. Currently on 5mg Eliquis twice a day and Clopidogrel 75mg. I am also taking anti clotting drugs. I have several heart stents, femoral artery stents and illiac artery stents. I had a 3 vessel CABG in 2009. In late November if this year I had two heart attacks and reveived another heart stent. I am 71 years of age.

While I will on ocassion use my mongoose single edge, or a couple other of the recently produced single edge razors that all use Feather Pro's. Mostly though I use my straights and I do so with a slow and steady process that always has my full attention. Experience and confidence and your complete attention to your razors edge on your face is all it takes.

There two things I refuse to give up, period. That is my straight razor shaving and either a daily cigar or a couple of pipes of tobacco.