Alum as a pre-shave?

[hando]

don't think this has been asked or mentioned before but on my Alum box the instructions give the method for use as an aftershave but it also says to use it before shaving if using an electric razor.

any theories on this, anyone tried it?

i remember reading somewhere that GI's would rub it on their hair to make the buzz-cut stand up, kind of like a gel for short hair, apart from that i know nothing

 

[Manoflamancha]

Never tried it Hando but I suspect that it leaves the skin dry and, like the GIs hair, the beard stands up ready to be cut.

 

[badgerandhone]

Alum is a fantastic 'astringent'. It tightens this skin which in turn makes the hair stand up. It's great to use alum before shaving with an electric razor as the hair can be cut closer to the skin leading to a smoother shave.

Unfortunately, as soon as you wet the skin as you do with a wet shave, the hair falls back down which is why its pointless to use when shaving traditionally.