Well, time and too many cheeseburgers caught up with me last week and I had a heart attack. I'm ok and will be great but I'm on a medication that causes my blood to clot much more slowly than before...which can make shaving cuts take longer to stop bleeding. I use a styptic pencil and even with that, it takes up to ten minutes to stop. Anything else I could be using? Anyone else have this same issue?
Blood Thinners and DE Shaving
- Thread starter wuluf
- Start date
A good friend of mine has the same problem (he is on Coumadin). The first thing he did was to work on preventing any cuts or nicks. He switched to a milder razor and really pays attention to pressure and angle. He also now limits his shaving to two passes, uses cool water, and takes his time. He told me that in four months he has had no cuts.
He also has a supply of liquid and powder styptic which he says works better than the pencil.
Good luck.
He also has a supply of liquid and powder styptic which he says works better than the pencil.
Good luck.
I have been on Blood Thinners since March, Dabigitran, one thing I did try was block the cut with Proraso Pre Shave cream, that stopped the bleeding externally and i ended up with a bruise under the skin, I am afraid its care and Toilet paper blots . I have however today taken delivery of Proraso Shave Cut Healing Gel and will post a report in a couple of days.. and pm you.
Firstly, glad to hear that you are ok.
I have the same issue, normally for me, a cold water splash, then styptic fixes most. Occasionally a small square of toilet paper on the nick, if it won't stop bleeding.
I have the same issue, normally for me, a cold water splash, then styptic fixes most. Occasionally a small square of toilet paper on the nick, if it won't stop bleeding.
I've been on blood thinners for about 3 years now thanks to six blood clots in my lungs after a surgery. And, yes, it really hurt.
I have gone to milder blades and razors and worked hard on refining my technique, especially in the prep area. I find that if I prep well and take my time, there is no problem for me. I end up with a nice DFS shave with no cuts/weepers. If I do get a cut/weeper, then out comes the styptic stick and tissue. Usually it takes a couple of minutes to stop the flow but so far nothing serious. Still enjoying my shaves.
I have gone to milder blades and razors and worked hard on refining my technique, especially in the prep area. I find that if I prep well and take my time, there is no problem for me. I end up with a nice DFS shave with no cuts/weepers. If I do get a cut/weeper, then out comes the styptic stick and tissue. Usually it takes a couple of minutes to stop the flow but so far nothing serious. Still enjoying my shaves.
First and foremost good to hear that you are now well.
As a physician we are taught early on during our surgery, trauma, ICU and ER rotation that pressure is key to helping stop any kind of bleeding. Clearly you are at a very big disadvantage and make sure that your INR is always within the treating physicians values. So do not skimp on getting your tests. In terms of helping stop the bleeding as just mentioned apply pressure at the wound site. Thus apply your clotting agent (in this case styptic pencil) and really apply so pressure (press relatively hard in the area) for 4-6 minutes, slowly lift your fingers from the area and see how much it has slowed down. If still bleeding lightly blot the area with a paper towel and reapply styptic and continue putting pressure. Sadly it will still take a decently long time, but in most cases it should stem the flow of blood within 4-6 minutes. Of course all of this is dependent on your INR.
Just as a side note, keep in mind that a plethora of medications/diet interact with many anticoagulants, especially warfarin (common brand name Coumadin, Lawarin, Jantoven etc). As an example ginger (must eat enough to be an issue but it can), ginseng (reduces anti coagulation effect), leafy greens (presence of vitamin K, decreases effect), grapefruit (interaction with an enzyme called CYP450. Note if taking statins for example Lipitor, it can cause serious effects), various antibiotics especially macrolides which interact with the metabolism of warfarin thus increasing anticoagulation (azythromycin etc), broad spectrum antibiotics which decrease vitamin K synthesis in our guts and giving us increased anticoagulation, statins themselves also interact with warfarin (Simvastatin is a good example). So be careful, keep monitoring the INR as requested by the physician and if in doubt make sure you contact the physician. Also if you have any changes in diet, given another medication, think of using some "natural" remedies make sure that the physician is aware.
Ok that was rather winded but important. Enjoy your shaving and I'm sure you will learn to get perfect shaves in no time.
As a physician we are taught early on during our surgery, trauma, ICU and ER rotation that pressure is key to helping stop any kind of bleeding. Clearly you are at a very big disadvantage and make sure that your INR is always within the treating physicians values. So do not skimp on getting your tests. In terms of helping stop the bleeding as just mentioned apply pressure at the wound site. Thus apply your clotting agent (in this case styptic pencil) and really apply so pressure (press relatively hard in the area) for 4-6 minutes, slowly lift your fingers from the area and see how much it has slowed down. If still bleeding lightly blot the area with a paper towel and reapply styptic and continue putting pressure. Sadly it will still take a decently long time, but in most cases it should stem the flow of blood within 4-6 minutes. Of course all of this is dependent on your INR.
Just as a side note, keep in mind that a plethora of medications/diet interact with many anticoagulants, especially warfarin (common brand name Coumadin, Lawarin, Jantoven etc). As an example ginger (must eat enough to be an issue but it can), ginseng (reduces anti coagulation effect), leafy greens (presence of vitamin K, decreases effect), grapefruit (interaction with an enzyme called CYP450. Note if taking statins for example Lipitor, it can cause serious effects), various antibiotics especially macrolides which interact with the metabolism of warfarin thus increasing anticoagulation (azythromycin etc), broad spectrum antibiotics which decrease vitamin K synthesis in our guts and giving us increased anticoagulation, statins themselves also interact with warfarin (Simvastatin is a good example). So be careful, keep monitoring the INR as requested by the physician and if in doubt make sure you contact the physician. Also if you have any changes in diet, given another medication, think of using some "natural" remedies make sure that the physician is aware.
Ok that was rather winded but important. Enjoy your shaving and I'm sure you will learn to get perfect shaves in no time.
I got some nasty looks from doctors and family alike when I started into wet shaving. It's not blood-thinners and I'll keep the details out of it, but I had to reassure them all that I wouldn't bleed out if I cut myself shaving. With that said, I've had to pay extra attention to technique from day one, especially since I started with a straight razor. I also RARELY make a second pass; I take extra time and care with my first pass so it's close enough that I don't feel the need for a second. I'm sure a second XTG or ATG pass would be incredibly close, but I'd also increase my odds for a nick and it's just not worth it.
I also apply cool water afterwards and I like my Alum block more than my styptic...don't know how to explain why though.
Glad to hear you're doing well! Hope the shaves start to fall in line for you a little better.
I also apply cool water afterwards and I like my Alum block more than my styptic...don't know how to explain why though.
Glad to hear you're doing well! Hope the shaves start to fall in line for you a little better.
- Thread starter
- #8
Aw hell, I've been taking Plavix since 2006 and cut myself all the time (not face, usually hands and fingers).Even sliced off a big chunk of my index finger with Wade&Butcher last month. Nothing a styptic can't remedy
Last edited:
Hi Acmemfg,
Just wanted to make a quick note here, Crestor (generic name Rosuvastatin) is not an anticoagulant, it is however part of the "statin" drug family that belong to cholesterol management medications (lowers LDL, increases HDL and moderately lowers triglycerides). As a side it can interact with warfarin.
Happy shaving everyone.
D
To the op-- no useful recommendations can be made if you don't let us know what anticoagulant you are on. My guess from what you said is plavix. Coumadin after a heart attack is usually overkill.
Agree that Crestor has nothing to do with blod clotting.
Op-- Direct pressure is your friend whether you are on blood thinners or not. Stop shaving and hold pressure for anything more than a tiny nick.
And to whoever it was that is on pradaxa-- be very careful. Not just when you shave, all the time. Yes it's convenient--no need for blood tests, etc. however contrary to Coumadin, there is no way to reverse its effect. If you get a bad cut or (god forbid) a bad traumatic injury, you can bleed to death and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. Docs like it because it is easy for them--no tests or dose adjustments, few interactions. As one of the docs who see mainly the "dark" side of the drug, I wouldn't expect it to be on the market for too long.
Remember--direct pressure
Agree that Crestor has nothing to do with blod clotting.
Op-- Direct pressure is your friend whether you are on blood thinners or not. Stop shaving and hold pressure for anything more than a tiny nick.
And to whoever it was that is on pradaxa-- be very careful. Not just when you shave, all the time. Yes it's convenient--no need for blood tests, etc. however contrary to Coumadin, there is no way to reverse its effect. If you get a bad cut or (god forbid) a bad traumatic injury, you can bleed to death and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. Docs like it because it is easy for them--no tests or dose adjustments, few interactions. As one of the docs who see mainly the "dark" side of the drug, I wouldn't expect it to be on the market for too long.
Remember--direct pressure
Good to see another recommendation for pressure it is the mainstay for stopping active bleeds.
Last year my dad was started on ASA and Plavix. I had him switch from a Progress / Fatboy to a Merkur 11c. The 11c open comb is much milder and the likelyhood of him nicking himself if drastically reduced. He only does a N to S pass and never gets BBS, but he's happy with it.
My dad is on blood thinners as well (he is 75 years). He only shaves every few days, and does a single pass only. Works for him.
Yeah, sorry. What I meant was Plavix, not Crestor (I take them both)
After a retinal occlusion I was put on Plavix and aspirin. I have nicked myself a few times with no problem. However, I did give up the straights just in case.
I've been on warfarin for ten years, switched to DE less than 6 months ago so the learning not to cut myself came after the tendency to bleed forever. Be careful with pressure and angle and you should be fine most of the time. For those other times, as has already been said, pressure is your friend. Liquid styptics work a bit better than sticks, not sure about powder. But even with the styptic, pressure for a few minutes and you should be fine.
- Thread starter
- #18
Wow, so many responses, thanks again! I'm taking (among too many others) a new-ish drug called Effient. It's not strictly speaking a thinner, it somehow makes the platelets less sticky..either way, it takes longer to stop bleeding. Today I used a pre-shave oil for the first time, seemed to help, along with more care. No cuts today!
I have a nutritionist. More than anything, I would want to hear about you getting some nutrition suggestions to help you live longer. Please let me know if you have any questions.
