How often should you use alum block?

[nik232]

Hello all!

I am wondering how often is it recommended to use alum block. Do you use it every time or only occasionally. I like the feeling but for some reason I thought you should not be using it after every shave.
On a slightly different topic I have heard some debating whether long term use is good. Are there any views for that?
Thank you!

Kind regards,
Nik

 

[srqshaver]

I use alum after every shave. I’m not aware of any reason not to but I’m interested to see what others have to say about it.

 

[santamariasteve]

Why would you want to, unless there was a specific reason to do so?

Less is more.

 

[SilverSteel]

I must admit, that I never really understood what the purpose of the alum block is. Some people seem to use it as kind of pre-aftershafe?
I never used it, did I miss anything?

 

[Messygoon]

Just did a quick Google search, and couldn't find any reports of adverse side affects with alum.

Regarding use... I follow perhaps half my shaves with alum to get feedback on whether I nicked myself (not every cut bleeds). However, my preference is to go without alum, as it seems to dry my skin a bit.

 

[rbscebu]

I only use alum about once every few months if I nick myself. For me, that's all it is good for.

 

[LoveDaUP]

I have one and rarely use it. If I get a nick that needs some attention I will use my styptic pencil.

 

[LoveDaUP]

I must admit, that I never really understood what the purpose of the alum block is. Some people seem to use it as kind of pre-aftershafe?
I never used it, did I miss anything?

Haven’t missed a thing.

 

[srqshaver]

I use it because it acts as an astringent, much like witch hazel. I prefer alum because I like how it makes my skin feel.

 

[SharpieB]

If I nick myself really badly I might reach for it otherwise I never touch the stuff. It dries my face so badly that I avoid it unless cold water and a Styptic pencil won’t stop the bleeding.

 

[Billy T.]

I'll use it when I nick myself, usually when going over a mole. I never really got the "rub the alum all over your face, completely dry out your face and destroy the post shave feel of your soap" But hey, different strokes for different folks.

 

[ajkel64]

I use it after every shave. I never used to until I joined this forum. I shave before I shower so I get to wash the Alum off really well.

 

[Fletchtj]

I use it everyday as feedback. My touch is improving so as a result the irritation is less than when I started. I wash it off before using any balms or moisturizer so I don't think there is any downside.

 

[Ckmaui]

Only when I get a weeper or nick which is quite rare I did use it more to test the feel of blades I was trying but find AS splash is just as good to get more feedback how bad a blade was ahhahahaha

So very rare these days

 

[hairless wonder]

I use it everyday as feedback. My touch is improving so as a result the irritation is less than when I started. I wash it off before using any balms or moisturizer so I don't think there is any downside.

Pretty much, same here, except I shave every other day. I like the astringent aspect of the alum. After it's dried, I wash it off and use an aftershave splash followed by an aftershave balm. This works well for my skin. As with most other things in shaving, YMMV.

 

[Ravenonrock]

I’ve never used alum. I use soap and water, that’s it. I might use a splash for fragrance, but not on my face. Just my preference, limiting products on my face to soap, skin feels healthy.

 

[JasonJT]

I use mine after every shave with no problems. I do like the feeling it provides after using it.

Jason.

 

[Tomo]

I recently dug out an old block that I had laying around and started using it as deodorant. For that it works really well.

 

[dmshaver]

I use mine after most shaves. I'll apply it to my damp face, then clean my gear. That takes a couple of minutes, then I'll rinse the alum off with cold water. Then I apply my aftershave.

 

[McBlade]

Alum sticks are also used as a deoderant. Works very well and, unlike most deoderants, doesn't have a cloying, chemical scent.