Just as the title says. Do they help or hurt in terms of getting bumps and ingrown hairs?
Do alum blocks cause razor bumps/ingrowns?
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Yes that is the intention along with disinfecting, soothing the skin, closing up nicks, and preventing bacteria.
rbscebu
Girls call me Makaluod
Unfortunately I cannot help much with your question. Once I started with SR shaving and perfected my techniques, I have never experienced razor bumps or ingrowens, with or without alum.
I have never noticed a difference between using alum or not using it. I quit using it.
There's your answer, OP. I've been using one daily for many years.
Have never used it. I just shave and get on w my day
It helps, it’s an astringent.
Not that you need it, I quit using it.
If you have your technique right you shouldn’t notice a difference.
Not that you need it, I quit using it.
If you have your technique right you shouldn’t notice a difference.
I don't own or have ever owned, or used for that matter, an alum block. If I get a weeper, I use a roll-on product called a Nick Stick from Pacific Shaving Company. Just a quick roll over the nick and all done
I can't imagine that an alum block would case in-grown hairs or any bumps. If it did, it would be more widely known.
You could always try switching to a liquid astringent like a witch hazel product.
I can't imagine that an alum block would case in-grown hairs or any bumps. If it did, it would be more widely known.
You could always try switching to a liquid astringent like a witch hazel product.
I use a styptic pencil on anything that won't stop bleeding within a minute or so, which is very rare.
I also apply salicylic acid (Stridex) in the evening, just to head off any blemishes. I've never had more than an occasional ingrown, maybe a few in a year.
I also apply salicylic acid (Stridex) in the evening, just to head off any blemishes. I've never had more than an occasional ingrown, maybe a few in a year.
I've tried the other common products like witch hazel over the years but an alum bloc is something special. It's been part of my daily shave for so long, I can't imagine not using it. Those who know, know. 
Ingrown hairs are caused by hair growing into the skin, usually caused by really close shaving, ironically. Alum doesn't help. It can stop bleeding and clump the site of a cut. For disinfection, it's just astringent, a double sulphate salt, not a disinfectant.
There is no use rubbing the face with it unless you are bleeding. And then just the spot is enough.
There is no use rubbing the face with it unless you are bleeding. And then just the spot is enough.
You tell that to the hundreds of members here who rub all their face after every shave (even if there are no cuts/weepers).
To the OP: Alum doesn't help with ingrown hairs.
I Googled it, and yes Alum is not only an astringent, it's also a disinfectant.
But putting that aside, I use it after every shave simply because of how it makes my face feel.
Correct answer!I Googled it, and yes Alum is not only an astringent, it's also a disinfectant.
But putting that aside, I use it after every shave simply because of how it makes my face feel.
Anything one needs to learn about potassium alum is available to research online. Some misinformation posted earlier.What do we know about Alum as an alternative for sanitizer?
Jun 01, 2020 by Health Desk – Alum (also called potassium alum or aluminum potassium sulfate) has been widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and even textiles, but it has not been tested against viruses. While alum has some antimicrobial and anti fungal properties, it has not been...
health-desk.org
"While alum has some antimicrobial and anti fungal properties, it has not been shown to be an effective alternative for sanitizer or disinfectants."
Aftershave or balms do that better.
There is no way to persuade someone that a thing that does nothing is not doing something. Especially shavers, who are a particularly superstitious bunch. Alum, pre-shave oil, cold water shaving, you name it.
Anyway, the most effective treatment for ingrown hairs is acupuncture.
Anyway, the most effective treatment for ingrown hairs is acupuncture.
I use mine only when I nick or cut myself and I want it to stop bleeding as fast as possible, because I'm going to meet other people and I don't want to look like I just came from a warzone. That rarely happens though.
So to answer your question - I'm no expert to this subject and I really have no idea, since I rarely had any ingrown hairs in years and the one time I had a lot was when I started DE shaving and I guess my beard at the time was more keen with cartridges than DE and after a while I rarely had such issues.
One thing that comes to mind is that ever since I started using DE blades no more than 3 times, I haven't gotten any ingrowns at all, but maybe using fresh blades more often has nothing to do with it, who knows?
So to answer your question - I'm no expert to this subject and I really have no idea, since I rarely had any ingrown hairs in years and the one time I had a lot was when I started DE shaving and I guess my beard at the time was more keen with cartridges than DE and after a while I rarely had such issues.
One thing that comes to mind is that ever since I started using DE blades no more than 3 times, I haven't gotten any ingrowns at all, but maybe using fresh blades more often has nothing to do with it, who knows?
Thank you for the literal lol.
Whatever it may be, I use it daily. Just cover my neck & chin with it, hold it for around 15-20 secs, and wash it out. That's a minute of shaving routine that helps me (to close any minor red dots, e.g) IMHO 
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