Thread: Do you use an alum block after shaving?

I used to rub this lightly on my face every time I shaved after applying the cold water, both to stop bleeding and as an antiseptic on my face. Nowadays, I rarely ever nick myself anymore (hope this doesn't jinx it), so I stopped using it and I find I'm having a much more comfortable after-shave experience.

I think the alum sticks around on my skin and stings me all day (i.e. when my sweat re-activates it). Does anyone use alum regularly, and what kind of results do you get with it?

I've wondered about these but never used them. If I nick myself, which I rarely do anymore, a splash of cold water is usually enough to stop it. For a deeper nick (Like when I got distracted by my daughter while shaving) an alum pencil does help to stop bleeding. I've never had the urge to put alum on my face otherwise though. Why? You mention antiseptic properties. Does alum really have these? If it does, why would you want to put antiseptic on unbroken skin?

I have bought a styptic pencil and have used it while I wait to get my SR honed. It was nice with my stupid mach 3 on my lip and sometimes it get irritated and will nick me.

I don't think that I would use it all on my face though... instead of an aftershave. If you have some aftershave with alcohol that would be good enough for anti-septic.

Recently there has been an apparent resurgence of alum block use (discussed across all three forums I frequent: SRP, SMF, B&B). I decided to see what the hubub was all about, figured for about $12 (classicshaving including S&H) if I didn't like it, so what.

Anyway, an alum block has become a standard part of my post-shave routine. An alum block differs markedly from a styptic (same compound, but a styptic has had all of the water driven out of the matrix, so is much less like a stone, more like a compressed powder). Anyway, rubbing the alum block over my cold-water splashed post-shave face, closes the pores and tightens/tones the skin. Yes, if I've gotten too aggressive while shaving, I can tell where I've abraded the skin, but it does not have near the intensity of sting that a styptic has; nor will application of alum stop a real bleeder. After the alum, I give my face another quick splash then apply Coral Skin Food.

YMMV, but it works for me and I like it
Ed

Anyway, rubbing the alum block over my cold-water splashed post-shave face, closes the pores and tightens/tones the skin. Yes, if I've gotten too aggressive while shaving, I can tell where I've abraded the skin, but it does not have near the intensity of sting that a styptic has; nor will application of alum stop a real bleeder. After the alum, I give my face another quick splash ...

That's what I used to do, but I didn't rinse it off. Then, a couple hours later, I'd get these prickly feelings on my face, and have to wash off, which would remove my after shave. Then I stopped using it and realized that I didn't need it anymore. As a toner, the way you use it, it might be nice though.

Did use it and did not like it! Burns like hell just as alcohol containing after-shave! I only use after-shave cream, I believe mine contains small amount of alum but no alcohol.

I use one most of the time, it is a great way to know if your razor is sharp and your technique is good if not it burns for a little while. I rinse it off and apply a hypoalergenic SPF 15 skin cream after.

This summer in the heat I also found that following the alum with an ice cube is quite refreshing.

Dave

I use it every now and then. Closes those pores right away. Tightens the face too.

Alum Block offered by The Art of Shaving and eShave. The fourth step in purchasing quality mens shaving products is to obtain an alum block. Alum blocks take care of nicks and cuts instantly, act as an antiseptic, stops razor burn and also give your face that silky smooth feeling.

Directions:
For nicks and cuts: Run the alum block under hot water and place over cut for 1-2 seconds. For antiseptic: Run the alum block under cold water and rub over all areas of the face where you have just shaved.

I just got this in the mail from a vendor, timely.

I've been using it ever since I started straight shaving. It really does condition the face and close the pores and the burning makes you feel real macho.