Your Shaving Nicks Fix
Shaving can be dangerous work. Still bleary-eyed from sleep, you're dragging a sharp blade across your face first thing in the morning. No matter how careful you are, a few nicks and cuts are bound to happen now and again. Your dad (or television) probably taught you that your best option is to stick a tiny piece of toilet paper on the cut to stop the bleeding. But that only leads to scabs or more blood once you remove the paper. Here are five tried-and-true methods.
The Classics
Styptic Pencil
Styptic pencil, $4 by Colonel Conk
To use, wet the tip of this spot-treatment stick made with mineral astringents and press it against your cut for a few seconds to stop the bleeding. But be warned: it stings a bit and can leave behind a slight white residue.
Alum Block
French alum bloc, $8 by Osma
An alum block like Osma's uses potassium to clean the wound and natural alum to shrink the capillaries to stop the bleeding. Some guys prone to nicks or razor burn run the block over their face after each shave to soothe skin.
Home Remedies
If you don't get nicks very often, you likely won't be buying a special product like those above. But should you get a cut, here are few DIY options you probably have on hand.
Eye Drops
These constrict blood vessels, which is handy whether you're relieving red eyes or trying to stop bleeding.
Ice Cubes
The cold temperature causes tissues to contract, reducing inflammation and pain while enabling a clot to quickly form.
Lip Balm
The balm's waxy texture helps seal and soothe the wound, which stops the bleeding and prevents scabbing.
