There’s nothing suave about arriving at work with blood stains on your collar, or facing your in-laws at thanksgiving dinner with toilet paper confetti all over your face. Although a shaving cut isn’t exactly a war wound, they can nevertheless be a pain in the proverbial.
Once you know how to treat razor cuts you will become the James Bond of male grooming. Your shave will be closer, and more precise than your father-in-law’s earning you the rapturous praise of mom and grandma. Every man’s dream, right?
An old fashioned shave delivers unbeatable results, but getting that smooth finish may end in a little bloodshed. In this article we look at the most effective ways to treat shaving cuts, so that you don’t start the day looking like Hannibal Lecter.
Styptic Pencils
The most effective way to treat razor cuts is to have the right tool for the job. Styptic pencils (like Glyder) offer a clean and fast-acting way to stop shaving cuts from bleeding. When applied, the styptic pencil immediately starts working to tighten the skin around the cut, and encourage a clot to be formed. In a matter of seconds, your shaving cut will stop bleeding, with your face free from tissues and bandaids.
Band Aids
Your average band-aid is a great way to dress deeper cuts to the extremities, as they can be easily wrapped around fingers and toes. However, on the face and neck, they take up a lot of real estate for what is usually a tiny cut.
If not changed regularly, band-aids can also become a breeding ground for bacteria. We recommend that you let shaving cuts breathe, and dry out quickly, rather than cover with a band-aid and risk infection. However, for deeper cuts a band-aid may be a good way to prevent reopening.
Ice
Ice can be used to treat some minor shaving cuts. Although less effective than styptic pencils, simply applying ice to the wound can cause the capillaries to contract and help to stem the flow of blood. It is important to use a clean source of water so that you don’t introduce impurities to the wound, and clean thoroughly with antiseptic before applying.
Tissue Paper
When nothing else is available, turn to an old friend. Apply pressure to the wound with a piece of clean tissue paper until the cut stops bleeding. There is not much more that you can do with this method than to blot and wait, so if you’re rushing on your way to work, take a fresh pack to use on the road. These cuts can be small but stubborn, and many people can’t stand the sight of blood. There’s nothing worse than making your boss pass out because of the vampirish trickle of red running down your neck.