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There is a brief mention in one post about the use of styptic and an increased change for scarring. Does anyone have a reference for this? (I could see how placing any solid substance in an open wound could cause that to happen. Then again, carving big hunks out of one's face could cause this as well. "Lessee ... ointment, butterfly bandages, telfa pads, needle and thread ... check.")
-Ivan
I'm not sure about the actuall stypic encouraging scar tissue build-up, but if you continue to cut yourself in the same area, scars will form. Maybe the problem isn't the actually stypic, but the false confidence that you can shave over your now non-bleeding wound.
I always just use the styptic to stop the bleeding. Once it stops, I wipe off the residue and put triple anit-biotic ointment on and have not had any problem with scaring. Although, my face is already pretty scary on it's own....lol. Lynn
I've only heard of these "styptic" pencils many of you sorcerers seem to use. Perhaps I will look into obtaining one.
Hey BW,Quote:
Originally Posted by Blade Wielder
If you get stuff from ClassicShaving, you can get Ray to add one to your order..
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...960/198721.htm
You can find them in most grocery and drug stores, too.
Parry
I have a tube of Nik Aid. It's a roll-on about the diameter of a chap stick. Roll a bit onto my finger and then apply it to the spot. Burns like hell for a second or two, but works great. Nothing waxy or gummy about it that I have noticed. Feels almost like it's coterizing (sp?) the wound!
I just got some of those styptic snap-caps from walgreens. They are like hollow Q-tips with the liquid inside that is released when you break the stem. Pretty good, but only come in 10 packs and they are something of a waste for the small nicks. They work great for the bigger cuts tho...
I really put a chop in my face last Friday and I used my stiptic pencil and was finally able to get it to stop bleeding. It took a bit though and I was starting to get worried. :shock:
I use an alum block. Pretty cheap at Classic Shaving. Probably lasts as long as your rzor will. I used to use those "Walgreens Snap Cap" styptics, they work pretty well. When I first started using a straight, I cut myself so bad I thought I saw sparks flying. Anyway, you just run the alum under cold water and rub it into the wound untill the bleeding stops. Stings a bit. I rub it on my face after every shave, closes up any little nick and tightens your mug a bit.
I find that a splash of witch hazel with aloe also stops the bleeding from small nicks. And it doesn't sTINg as much as a styptic pencil.
Dave in DC
I don't think you're supposed to use stypic pencils for large cuts. If the cut just kept bleeding that's one thing, but if it was so big that the stypic pencil didn't help at all, I think that's improper, and possibly hazardous use.
You guys cut yourself? How ya do that?
Forgot to mention what I ran across looking into styptics. Turns out, aside from alum and witch hazel, there are several other styptic compounds and herbs (including yarrow and plantain - not related to the banana-looking thing).
One that caught my eye was mentioned in a couple of places: apparently, one can get a pretty strong styptic effect from powdered cayenne pepper.
Imagine a little cayenne facial rub after a close, three-pass shave. :) (The twisted thing is that I'm curious how bad it could be on a small nick.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Phong
-Ivan
What, rub cayenne pepper on my face after a shave? Might just as well spray some pepper spray on your skin too. I'll bet it will close up those pores fast. Might smart a bit though.
You'll let us know how it goes? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by yan3751
X
You might as well put Ben Gay on your soldier!Quote:
Originally Posted by yan3751
Heck, just heat the Ol' K-Bar till the tip is red hot... seal that nick right up! :eek: Helps if you bite down on your strop ... whiskey helps a bit too! ;)
I got myself a styptic pencil a while back, and Christ on a cross, it stings like a bastard!
If you've got a cut that just won't stop bleeding, then I could see a need for it; otherwise, toughing it out is probably the most sensible option. In my opinion, anyhow.
How do I know that this is NOT something that I want to test out?
Quote:
Originally Posted by yan3751
With the question on styptic use answered, I noticed nobody metioned stopping minor nicks with cold water. At the end of each shave, I run the tap on full cold and when it is, spend at LEAST a full minute slapping water on my face. Its not only refreshing, it causes the tiny blood vessels at the surface to constrict and aids in stopping the blood flow. Afterwards, I apply an aftershave or lotion or both. THEN if there are any little nicks still weeping, I'll use the styptic.