So I use an alum block after every shave and have been for about four months now. Lately, I don't get much of an initial burn (still a little under my chin/jawline and the middle of my neck). The burn really comes from when I rinse it off. The best comparison I have is it feels like someone is scraping my face with an edgy salt lick. My face will burn for the rest of the day afterwards. I think I'm going to lay off of it for a week or so and just use witchhazel and my AS. I'll let you know how it goes!
Think I'm Going to Skip the Alum.
- Thread starter Bcobu1102
- Start date
I also skipped alum.
Now i just rub an ice cube over my wet face and then apply the ASB.
Works great !
Now i just rub an ice cube over my wet face and then apply the ASB.
Works great !
I only use it for those rare occasions I have some micro weepers.
I tried it and found no benefit other than making my shave take longer and I haven't used it since the first week I owned it. I was wondering if it could be used as a deodorant bar?
Never used it. I use a styptic on the rare cut. I always use WH, and AS splash 99% of the time.
My alum is used daily, both as a post-shave treatment and as a deo-stick.
It doesn't extend my shave time at all, as it takes about 8-10 secs to apply and gets rinsed off after I brush my teeth.
It doesn't extend my shave time at all, as it takes about 8-10 secs to apply and gets rinsed off after I brush my teeth.
You could simply have sensitive skin. Part of the chemistry of alum is that it forms small amounts of sulfric acid when dissolved in water (that's what causes the burn).
I just use Witch Hazel. If I get a bad nick (been a while) I have a stypic pencil. Cold water rinse takes care of minor weepers for me. I have sensitive skin somewhat, and even ASB can't be used till at least an hour after shaving. AS splash can be used immediately, must be high % alcohol though!
Skip it, Maybe it will make things better!
Skip it, Maybe it will make things better!
Actually I'm now wondering if you;re using the right kind of alum. Ammonium alum is often used in the deodorant stick and can cause lots of burn and irritation if used as a post-shave treatment. Make sure you have the potassium alum kind.
i gave up on the alum after the first few months when i started this great journey! i only use cold water and unrefined shea butter, now!
No really need for alum if you have a good post-shave splash or lotion. Thayers Witch Hazel will work just as well! Good luck.
No really need for alum if you have a good post-shave splash or lotion. Thayers Witch Hazel will work just as well! Good luck.
This pretty much the only time I break out the alum as well.
No alum or WH for me.
I will pull out the amu and just use on a weeper the odd time.
Cold rinse then AS and I am good to go.
I will pull out the amu and just use on a weeper the odd time.
Cold rinse then AS and I am good to go.
In 5 years of this I've never used alum. *shrug*
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