Is Alum really that good?

[noobstu]

So, Ive been DE shaving for nearly a month and have already amassed far too many bits and bobs. the only thing missinbg from my repetoire is Alum/styptic of any sort.

I do cut myself on occassion so its clearly necessary. Whats the difference between Alum and styptic and how quickly do they help the cut heal? ie, I cut myself shaving low nech area, apply alum - would I be able to put a white shirt on within 10 mins withour looking like Id been to sweeeny todd?

 

[Canuck]

I think Alum and styptic are similar compounds but I suspect they're not quite identical. Styptic seems faster and harder acting, to me anyway, so if you cut yourself often and badly I think styptic works better.

Alum is a general astringent, it will tighten the skin all over and will also help to close tiny nicks.

I could probably do without but I usually have a block anyway (as a deo) so it does come in handy for the odd weeper, if and when they occur.

 

[noobstu]

So styptic is a stronger and more efective Alum? I was under the impression they were the same thing?

 

[hunnymonster]

Alum is a styptic but a milder one than a styptic pencil/match/powder...

Alum in this case is potassium aluminium sulphate decahydrate - styptic pencils (and the like) are generally a low-hydrate content aluminium sulphate & talcum compressed into a stick. The fact of the lower water content and the talc means it is a stronger styptic action.

 

[noobstu]

Nice one HM. That answer couldnt be any more exact to what I was looking for.

Now get the kitchin and bring me some motherloving SUGAR PUFFS!

 

[Johnus]

Alum, other than crisping pickles, was used in health care for centuries. It has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and antibiotic effects. It's basically a 1st aid kit in stone.

 

[noobstu]

OK, my real question here I guess is how good is it at actualyt stopping cut/nick bleeding?

 

[hunnymonster]

Depends how profusely you're bleeding - if it's just a small nick, it'll stop it - if you've hooked your carotid, it won't.

 

[Johnus]

Black pepper actually works better to stop bleeding. An old cooks trick.

 

[Canuck]

As HM says, if you're cutting yourself, get a styptic pencil as nothing else will stop a gusher (i.e. something that will threaten the shirt collar). If you have the odd tiny spot nick, alum will look after it perfectly well, there won't even be a trace. Horses for courses, but I've not had anything yet that needed anything other than an alum block.

(I lie, I did once slice open my finger with a blade but only bandages were stopping that one).