Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
Like Tree11Likes

Thread: Alum

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Chandler, AZ
    Posts
    183
    Thanked: 20

    Default Alum

    Is Alum used for stretching the skin while shaving or as an application for a nick or cut?

  2. #2
    ~ Life is but a Dream ~ petercp4e's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Oakham, Ma.
    Posts
    3,833
    Thanked: 1217

    Default

    You can use alum in a few ways
    .
    On the fingers to keep them dry and help stretch the skin.
    To help close a nick or cut.
    All over a wet face at the end of a shave to condition and close the pores. The stinging is a pretty good barometer that tells you if you were heavy handed with the razor and caused irritation.

    I personally use it after every shave on the wet face.


    Pete <:-}
    BobH, jmercer and neehooya like this.
    "Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss Slowly,
    Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret ANYTHING
    That makes you smile." - Mark Twain

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth Leatherstockiings's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Rural Missouri
    Posts
    4,981
    Thanked: 972

    Default

    Alum is used as an astringent after shaving. Some people do put a little on their fingertips to get a better grip for skin stretching. I think it corrodes razor steel pretty easily so be careful.

    Styptic pencils are used on cuts to help stop the bleeding. Alum won't really stop bleeding from a cut.
    neehooya likes this.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Butzy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Kansas City , MO
    Posts
    534
    Thanked: 113

    Default

    Love Alum. I use it on my fingertips as described above, and then when I'm done shaving I'll wet the block and rub it over the areas shaved. Use before or after aftershave, I haven't noticed much difference either way but I tend to do it before.
    One man's opinion...

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    Never have used alum on my finger tips to aid in stretching skin, just did not find it necessary. I do use alum on a wet face post shave every shave. It has some anti bacterial properties as well as it helps tighten this old jowly visage some. I also have oily skin and was subject to pimples even at my age. Since starting to use alum post shave that has cleared up too possibly due to it anti bacterial properties? For me, it will work to stanch the blood from small weepers and cuts. Not as well as a styptic pencil though.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  6. #6
    Skeptical Member Gasman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Colorado Springs
    Posts
    10,473
    Thanked: 2182

    Default

    I use alum once in a while just to test how well my shave was. Wet face and rub Alum. If i get next to no burn then i did well. Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.
    It's just Sharpening, right?
    Jerry...

  7. #7
    ~ Life is but a Dream ~ petercp4e's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Oakham, Ma.
    Posts
    3,833
    Thanked: 1217

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gasman View Post
    Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.
    I really like RazorRock alum.
    Comes in a re-closable plastic tube and lasts a good long time.

    Pete <:-}
    "Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss Slowly,
    Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret ANYTHING
    That makes you smile." - Mark Twain

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gasman View Post
    I use alum once in a while just to test how well my shave was. Wet face and rub Alum. If i get next to no burn then i did well. Id like to find a better block as mine is milky and worn down next to nothing.
    I buy this at my local Wally World https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/natural.../6000191648391 . Yea, I know it is the wrong type of alum according to some but it works for me. Comes in a handy turn up container, easy to apply and then dry the tip with some toilet paper before screwing the top back on and storing. Got a smaller 1/2 size version for travel at a local health store. No fuss no muss and I don't have to order it in.

    Bob
    Steel likes this.
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  9. #9
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,737
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    I used to use it religiously but don't anymore. It's main use is after shaving to tone and condition the skin. For cuts they have styptic stick which is mostly alum but has other stuff to stop bleeding.

    By the way skin pores never change. They can't open and close. I forget if that's shave myth #5 or #6.
    BobH likes this.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  10. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth Steel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    2,321
    Thanked: 498

    Default

    I also use alum in a twist up container. I use it after a shave and have been using it as a pit stick since the beginning of summer and it has been extremely effective.
    BobH likes this.
    What a curse be a dull razor; what a prideful comfort a sharp one

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •