Everyone who does a regular shave sooner or later has to deal with the unpleasant and sometimes painful scrapes that are part of the process. Although these scratches are usually minor, don't ignore them. You still need to treat and treat it properly. There are several ways to treat razor cuts, but it's best to try to avoid them in the first place.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Minor Scratches
Step 1. Apply toilet paper over the wound
One traditional method of treating a scratch is to stick a small piece of toilet paper over the wound and wait for the blood to clot.
- This method is effective, but usually takes longer to stop the bleeding than some of the treatment methods listed below.
- Don't forget to take the toilet paper off your face before leaving the house.
Step 2. Apply an ice cube over the wound
Cold water will constrict blood vessels, slowing blood flow to the injured area and helping to stop bleeding. Take an ice cube from the freezer and place it on the injured area.
- You can also rinse the wound with cold water or apply a cold compress to the wound.
- Some people recommend the following technique: soak a washcloth in water, wring it out, and refrigerate it. If you get a scratch while shaving, a washcloth is ready to use.
Step 3. Place a washcloth soaked in hot water over the wound
Hot water can also help stop the bleeding because basically the heat will burn the wound. You can simply apply a warm washcloth firmly over the wound.
For best results, you need to constantly moisten the cloth with hot water
Step 4. Use witch hazel
Witch hazel is an astringent that also has the ability to constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding. Soak a cotton swab in witch hazel and apply it over the scratch.
As noted above, witch hazel is an astringent, which causes a stinging sensation when applied to a wound. Get ready
Step 5. Apply lip balm or Vaseline over the wound
Next time, if you get a scratch while shaving, just use lip balm or Vaseline. Its waxy texture covers the skin and forces the blood to clot.
Don't apply lip balm straight from the tube as you won't be able to use it again after that. Use a cotton swab to take a small amount of lip balm to keep the rest sterile and safe to reuse
Step 6. Use deodorant (regular or antiperspirant)
Many deodorant products contain aluminum chloride, which allows the blood to clot, which can help stop bleeding. Apply deodorant to your fingertips, then place it over the scratch.
You don't have to throw away the remaining deodorant after using it. We recommend using your fingertips or a cotton swab to apply it over the wound
Step 7. Sprinkle sugar over the wound
If the cut isn't too big, you can sprinkle a little sugar over the wound to stop the bleeding and kill germs.
Some people also recommend using chili powder and black pepper, but both will cause a sharper sting than sugar
Step 8. Wash the wound with a small amount of mouthwash
Before being marketed as a mouthwash, Listerine was originally used as a surgical antiseptic. Sprinkle a little mouthwash on the wound to kill germs and stop bleeding.
As you might expect, the mouthwash will sting a little, but the bleeding will stop soon
Step 9. Apply a few drops of eye drops on the wound
Eye drops such as Visine can make the blood vessels narrow, slowing the flow and eventually stopping the bleeding. So, you can rely on this product if you get a scratch while shaving.
Step 10. Purchase a styptic pencil or alum
These products have been part of medicine boxes and shaving kits for centuries. Styptic pencils usually contain titanium dioxide, alum, or a sulfate formula that helps blood clot. Just like alum, rod-shaped potassium alum can also constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding.
- To use a stiptic pencil, you must moisten the tip and apply it to the wound.
- Alum must be moistened before use, then rubbed on the wound.
- The astringent content in the product will cause a stinging sensation, but can stop bleeding quickly. In addition, this product also prevents shaving rashes.
- Sticky pencils and alum can leave marks as a white powder. So, don't forget to check your face in the mirror and wash it before stepping out of the house.
- You can buy stipple and alum pencils at pharmacies, cosmetic stores, or online. A traditional barber might sell it.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Serious Scrapes
Step 1. Rinse the wound with cold water
The cold will help stop the bleeding and will allow you to know how severe the wound is.
Step 2. Apply pressure to the wound
Find a handkerchief, tissue or towel and apply pressure to the wound where the bleeding is most severe. Apply pressure to the wound for 5-15 minutes.
- If blood soaks the cloth, add another fold of cloth over it without lifting the first cloth from the wound.
- If your attempts to apply pressure to the wound don't stop the bleeding, you can pinch the skin around the wound with your thumb and forefinger. This technique should be able to stop the bleeding.
- If this technique also doesn't stop the bleeding and the blood continues to flow, seek immediate medical attention.
Step 3. Position the wound on a higher ground
If possible, try to elevate the injured body part so that it is higher than the heart. This technique should be able to slow down the blood flow to the injured area.
Step 4. Clean the wound
Apply hydrogen peroxide, red medicine, or antibiotic cream to the wound after the bleeding has stopped. This will help prevent infection and ensure the wound heals faster.
Step 5. Cover the wound with a bandage
Use a sterile bandage to cover the wound. That way, the wound will be protected from dirt and bacteria while preventing re-bleeding.
Change the bandage if it can't catch the blood or gets wet with water. That way, the wound will remain clean and dry
Step 6. Remove the bandage after a few days
If the wound is not too severe, you can remove the bandage after a few days. This will help the wound heal faster.
Step 7. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues or you see signs of infection
If all your efforts fail to stop the bleeding or you notice redness, irritation, or pus around the wound, you should seek immediate medical attention. Doctors can evaluate the wound and provide appropriate treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Shaving Cuts
Step 1. Wet the skin before and after shaving
Moisturizing the skin before and after shaving will help prevent scratches.
Step 2. Take a warm bath before shaving
If you take a warm shower before shaving or wash the area to be shaved with warm water for a few minutes before shaving, the razor can move easily over the skin. This will reduce the risk of scratching.
- This technique is often called wet shaving.
- If you want to do a wet shave, use a mild soap that won't strip your skin of its natural oils or dry it out, which will make shaving more difficult.
Step 3. Change razors regularly
Changing razors regularly will prevent cuts from dull razors. Also, changing razors frequently will prevent shaving rashes and redness while reducing the growth of bacteria that can cause infection.
- Change the razor as soon as it feels dull. If your razor squirms against your skin or you feel uncomfortable shaving, it's usually a sign that the razor needs to be replaced.
- The recommended time to replace the razor is after 5 to 10 uses, but it also depends on the frequency of use.
- Gillette recently revealed that their razors are designed to last up to five weeks.
Step 4. It is best to avoid dry shaving
While it may be tempting to save money and time, dry shaving or without shaving gel or cream can increase the chances of a scratch. The shaving gel or cream allows the razor to glide smoothly over the skin.
If you don't have shaving gel or cream, you can use a cheaper hair conditioner (depending on the brand)
Step 5. Throw away disposable razors
Single-blade disposable razors are inexpensive, but they often slip over the skin, causing severe lacerations.
If you want a smooth shave, choose a razor with more blades
Step 6. Make sure the razor is clean and dry
Most people don't bother cleaning their razors after shaving, but research shows that clean, dry razors last longer and prevent the blade from becoming dull. As noted above, a dull knife usually results in slashes. Try these tricks to keep your razor clean and dry:
- Rinse the razor after use with clean, hot water.
- Use a dry towel or jeans to wipe the razor in the opposite direction of the shaving process. This way, you can remove any excess hair or shaving cream that could dull the blades or result in an imperfect shave.
- Lubricate the razor with olive oil or another non-irritating oil after use. You can use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of oil to the blade.
- Let the razor dry on its own, then store it in a safe place to avoid water.
Step 7. Use the razor well
Using your razor properly and avoiding some common mistakes will help make the blade last longer. We recommend that you avoid the following:
- Pressing the knife too hard. This will cause the blade to wear out more quickly and increase the risk of a scratch.
- Tapping the shaver head on the sink or faucet can damage the blades, shorten their life, and cause scratches.
Step 8. Consider using a different type of razor
If the way you've been shaving has caused you to scratch, try researching and experimenting with different types of razors or other hair removal methods.
To get a smoother shave without the risk of scratching, many people resort to traditional shaving methods using a razor or a folding razor
Tips
- Moisturize the skin before and after shaving to reduce the risk of scratching.
- Make sure the razor is clean and dry to make it last longer. Dull blades can cause scratches.
- Use an astringent such as witch hazel or other aftershave products to help prep your skin and reduce post-shave inflammation.
