Styptic Pencil ?

[waynejitsu]

I have one. It is made of Aluminum Sulfate- 90% and 10% inert ingredients.
I got a small cut on my top lip, almost center, under my nose. I thought, "Hey, good time to try out the pencil"
WRONG!!
That thing Stung!
Then, the cut got swollen, kinda like a pimple or cold sore.
The cut was small, not deep, just a small razor cut.
I have cut myself in the past and just did nothing, no big deal. I thought this would be a neat little accessory to get, especially since it was cheap, LOL!!
I used it that one time and do not plan to ever use it again, I do not see a reason to use it again. It did stop the bleeding, but caused other "problems" that I can live without.

Anyone else try one of these?
Anyone have the same type of "reaction?

Thanks guy's!

 

[mretzloff]

Styptic pencils always sting- it is normal. I have never had any swelling, though, just a nick that immediately stopped bleeding.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Styptic pencils always sting- it is normal. I have never had any swelling, though, just a nick that immediately stopped bleeding.

+1 here. I've switched from the pencil to liquid styptic. Its available at almost any barber shop, comes in a small bottle and lasts for a very long time. Just put a drop on your finger and apply to the nick/cut. Works instantly with just a slight sting.

 

[Codfish]

I've switched from the pencil to liquid styptic. Its available at almost any barber shop, comes in a small bottle and lasts for a very long time. Just put a drop on your finger and apply to the nick/cut. Works instantly with just a slight sting.

I agree, but with a possible caution. This may be a moot point now, but years ago when I used the liquid version, it was packaged in a small applicator bottle exactly the same size and shape as an eye drop bottle. Early one morning, I made a mistake and put the liquid styptic in my eye. I've never used it since.

 

[gearchow]

Unfortunately, I use a styptic pencil a lot. Maybe the swelling reaction you got was the location of the cut? After the bleeding was stopped, a cold pack - ice wrapped in a paper towel for instance - would have helped in reducing the swelling. A cut on the lip is different then a cut on the chin for instance.

I never had any issue with styptic pencil use, but I've not really cut the top of my lip. I can imagine how much that stung though!

-jim

 

[FL shaver]

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to apply the styptic pencil to a minor nick. The most effective way (stops the bleeding and doesn't continue serous drainage) I've found is to dip the end of the pencil in a little pool of water at the bottom of the sink and shake off excess water. There is then a small amount of moisture at the bottom of the pencil with the aluminum sulfate in solution. I apply that to nick after totally drying the spot and surrounding area, feel the sting, lightly dab any surrounding moisture again with a towel or kleenex. I would be wary of using it on my lip.

One of the first times I used it, I was left with an odd scab for a couple of days, and thought I might retire it, but I was not left with a scar. Only once or twice a week do I wind up with any bleeding that a cold water splash doesn't take care of.

 

[gull]

It shouldn't swell up. Maybe you're allergic? There's always the alum block if the stypic pencil continues to give you issues.

 

[TanDog]

It shouldn't swell up. Maybe you're allergic? There's always the alum block if the stypic pencil continues to give you issues.

+1, I use an alum bloc after every shave and for the occasional nick and it works good. some people have complained about it leaving a residue after but I leave in on after the sahve wash out my brush and bowl and then rinse it off before putting on any AS and i have had no problems

 

[roboboticus]

Early one morning, I made a mistake and put the liquid styptic in my eye. I've never used it since.

The styptic or the eye?
Yikes!

 

[_JP_]

What brand of styptic was it?

Applying it is easy. Wet the tip and dab over the weeper, after first dabbing off the blood. The real advantage is that it prevents scabbing and makes the next shave (or pass) possible without reopening the weeper. The stinging is normal, momentary, and something that one gets used to.

 

[bogey97]

Other than the stinging, which is normal, I've never had the problem you describe. How are you storing the pencil? The pencils I buy come in a little plastic case that keeps them dry. Maybe it got some bacteria on it and infected the cut.

I usually dab some water on the cut and then rub the styptic on that. After, you need to make sure you dry the pencil well and store it.

 

[klm099]

been using these for 50 years, always stings, never any swelling

i let tap water wet the pencil and kinda roll it over the cut which stops bleeding on contact, then put it under the tap to wash the blood off and store it in a plastic tube

is it possible your cut extended into lip tissue? lip tissue reacts differently to trauma, think aboout getting hit on the lips or cold sores, lip tissue will swell

ken

 

[slama4]

hm, i have a styptic pencil but i've never felt the need to use it. never even opened it actually

 

[Go West Young Man]

Lip cuts sometimes swell up a bit for me, no idea why but they go back down pretty quickly, I don't sweat it too much.

The stinging is normal - that's how the shave gods punish your sins.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

When I need to use one, I wet the 1/4 of its length where the tip is with warm water. I then roll the side of the tip across the cut. I don't use it like a pencil by using the point only. I rinse it off with warm water and pat dry it with a towel then put it back into its container.

 

[ackvil]

I use the powder if I have a cut. It stings a little - but works great.