To alum or not to alum??

[armykunin]

Hi,

I've used alum since my first shave with a DE. I was just wondering how many people actually use it and if its really a required thing or just YMMV.

 

[DamnFineBob]

I use it every time. Leave it on for 2 minutes while cleaning my brush, then rinse with cool water and proceed to witch hazel and/or aftershave and/or balm.

 

[justinp]

I don't, and can't really think of why I would.

 

[DE Shaver]

I use alum when I want a simple aftershave regimen. I often use colognes and don't want them to clash with an aftershave fragrance, hence my preference for alum at times.

 

[armykunin]

I pretty much do the same regime. I put it on while cleaning my razor, brush then rinse it off before putting on my aftershave.

I use it every time. Leave it on for 2 minutes while cleaning my brush, then rinse with cool water and proceed to witch hazel and/or aftershave and/or balm.

 

[natchez]

I like using alum. Cares for any minor nicks, tightens up the skin and gives me a good feel. I follow with a balm. I leave it on for about a minute followed by a cold water rinse.

 

[njpaddy]

I only use alum if I get a nick that witch hazel won't stop and that's pretty rare. Witch hazel and ASB is my after shave routine.

 

[D/E Bob]

Good morning Gents,

I also started using Alum about 3 months ago, but I am getting concerned with all the research and talk linking Alzheimer's to aluminum exposure. They say that people who die of Alzheimer's have much more aluminum in their brain tissue from exposure. If you google "does aluminum cause Alzheimer's" you will see what I mean. I am starting to have second thoughts on the indiscriminate use of the Alum. What do you think??

D/E Bob

 

[cnnc97]

I use it about half the time. Put it on, wash it off, then go to the Witch Hazel. The other half I just go straight to the Witch Hazel. No rhyme or reason to it really, just depends on if I feel like digging it out and using it or not.

 

[proxymoron]

I only use alum if I get a nick that witch hazel won't stop and that's pretty rare. Witch hazel and ASB is my after shave routine.

+1 except that witch hazel is my ASB.

 

[grizzly]

I use it sometimes. If your bored go to the wiki page for alum then look under the cosmetic uses. The last cosmetic use is pretty interesting.

 

[Svedge]

Razor burns from shaving errors has decreased a lot after I got an alum block..

 

[Rumbaldi]

I use it, every time I shave. I leave it on though. I have oily skin and it seems to help with oil control. I also get a lot less acne when I leave it on. I used to use some kind of acne cream every day but the alum seems to take care of that so I just use it now. I have three kinds, RazoRock, Crystal deodorant and bar of unrefined alum. The Crystal burns more than the Razorock, I haven't used the unrefined bar yet, it came in broken and I don't want to deal with the mess when I open it.

 

[planto]

I use it, every time I shave. I leave it on though. I have oily skin and it seems to help with oil control. I also get a lot less acne when I leave it on. I used to use some kind of acne cream every day but the alum seems to take care of that so I just use it now. I have three kinds, RazoRock, Crystal deodorant and bar of unrefined alum. The Crystal burns more than the Razorock, I haven't used the unrefined bar yet, it came in broken and I don't want to deal with the mess when I OPEN IT.

Go on open it and tell us how it comes out.

 

[planto]

I am an everyday shaver and always use my alum block, i used to rinse it of but these days i leave it on and just apply a moisturiser on top,but now i am wondering are there any possible health risks with leaving it on, my skin always feels so fresh after using it.

 

[sanuginz]

I tend not to use it so much anymore unless I rough myself up. It is useful for and I recommend it especially for those learning DE and/or St8's. Now it's just a quick alcohol splash and I'm done.

 

[Phoenix_one]

I use it everytime.
I'm not really concerned about "excesive" exposure since Alum is used in cooking (pickling and baking) since the times of yore. It is also used in water purification.

So I'll quit shaving when you pry my alum block from my cold dead hands.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Good morning Gents,

I also started using Alum about 3 months ago, but I am getting concerned with all the research and talk linking Alzheimer's to aluminum exposure. They say that people who die of Alzheimer's have much more aluminum in their brain tissue from exposure. If you google "does aluminum cause Alzheimer's" you will see what I mean. I am starting to have second thoughts on the indiscriminate use of the Alum. What do you think??

D/E Bob

Alum is not aluminium.

 

[js_nocal]

I use alum daily after the. It really clears up the little nicks well. It's just so simple!

 

[scaevola]

Alum is not aluminium.

Alum does have aluminium in it though. It's hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate, which is very different in property than the aluminium used in anti-perspirants, which is generally a form of aluminium chlorohydrate (but there's a few different types for those).