- in Shaving by Jason Hall
How to Stop Shaving Cuts from Bleeding
Ouch! Pretty much every guy has cut himself shaving at least once. It doesn't matter if you're using a safety razor, or a cartridge razor. If you have proper shaving techniques or even if you're using an electric shaver, cuts and nicks still happen from time to time.
Fortunately, stopping a shaving cut from bleeding is usually pretty easy. Here are some quick and easy solutions for the next time you get a shaving cut.
1. Toilet Paper
Applying small bits of good old toilet paper is a classic solution which is easy, fast-acting and reliable.
Simply apply a small square of toilet paper to the cut. This will stop blood from running down your face. Then you just wait for the nick to clot naturally.
The downside of this method is it takes time. Clotting can be slow depending on the severity of the cut. Plus, a tiny square of TP stuck to your face can be surprisingly easy to forget about.
Make sure you remove it all before walking out of the house.
2. Ice Cubes
The faster a clot forms, the quicker the nick will stop bleeding. Cold temps will shrink blood vessels. This cuts down on blood flow and helps halt bleeding.
Simply apply a few ice cubes to your face. To avoid cold hands, wrap the ice cubes in a paper towel or a napkin.
Apply the ice to the cut until your skin feels just a little numb. Usually between 15 and 30 seconds is enough to properly constrict the blood vessels.
3. Lip Balm
Chapstick and similar lip balms or vaseline will actually work wonders. Apply the balm directly to the cut to create a nourishing barrier. Blood stays in and germs stay out.
You’ll want to remove any part of the lip balm which has touched your lips. This prevents any potential cross contamination.
This method does take some time. You’ll need to keep the balm on for about 30 minutes. Then you should carefully wipe the balm away with a tissue. The cut should be fully sealed by then. Even better, some of the nourishing balm will now be inside the nick, which it can help heal.
Aside from lip balm, Vaseline also has the same sealing effect. You apply petroleum jelly in the same way.
4. Eye Drops
Drops used to relieve red eyes can also work on cuts.
The ingredients in red eye drops are vasoconstrictors, which constrict blood vessels. This helps cuts stop bleeding faster.
Simply apply a few drops to the shaving nick. You might want to dab the liquid with a piece of tissue paper. Clotting should then take place faster.
4. Alum Block
Alum is a potassium block designed specifically for shaving cuts. This is a small brick made from potassium. Simply wet the bar with cold water and press it against the cut. Alum helps stop bleeding while also disinfecting the cut.
Alum can also be used as an aftershave remedy. Rub the bar against your face after you’ve finished shaving. The alum helps prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. Note that you’ll need to let the bar dry completely before storing.
5. Deodorant
Any deodorant which contains aluminum chloride will help clot a shaving cut. Aluminum chloride shrinks sweat glands and constricts blood vessels. This helps quickly stop bleeding.
In order to stay sanitary, you’ll probably want to chop off the top of the deodorant or just take some with your finger. After all, the top part of the stick was recently in your armpit.
6. Sugar or Honey
Sprinkling a bit of sugar or applying some honey on the cut can stop the bleeding.
These will also disinfect the cut and reduce bacterial contamination.
Honey may be more effective at healing and less painful.
Final Thoughts
Alum blocks and ice cubes are probably the most effective solution, but deodorant, eye drops and lip balm will all work in a pinch. The next time you get a shaving cut, a quick remedy might be closer than you think. Shaving cuts happen to every guy but now you know what to do.
