Even those who have been shaving for the vast majority of their lives are occasionally going to experience a nick while shaving.
No matter how careful you are, you can suffer from ingrown hair or a tiny bump on your face. Maybe you are going too fast or the blade needs replacing.
In any case, you cannot step away from the mirror with an open wound and you do not want to ruin that brand new white shirt.
Toilet paper is usually within arm’s reach and that can stem the blood flow yet the material dissolves quickly. We would heartily recommend an alternative to have red paper dots scattered over your skin.
You want to heal the cut and deal with the wound instead of merely containing it.
Several other methods are out there which use certain products that can heal your wounds and stop the bleeding when you shave. You probably have them lying around your bathroom waiting to be put to good use.
Today we will walk you through our process to stop bleeding when shaving, just keep reading to find out more!
Prep Your Skin
If you are regularly experiencing shaving nicks, no matter the blade or how fresh it is, you should reconsider how you prep your skin beforehand.
Prevention is better than cure and ensuring that you reduce the possibility of a shaving nick is easier than dealing with one.
Your shaving blade should be able to last for a few shaves, that is if you are shaving properly. Having to shell out for the latest in shaving technology is only going to be wasting your money if your technique is not up to scratch.
Wet a hand towel with some warm water to moisten your face and open up the skin pores before you apply shaving cream or gel. This step relaxes your skin and should result in a close shave.
When applying the blade, go with the grain first, try not to press down, and take your time.
Rinse the blade with warm water after each stroke and if you want a very close shave then do a careful once over with the blade against the grain.
Hopefully, there are no shaving nicks but if you do suffer a couple there are products that should be close at hand that can help.
Lip Balm
No matter what wacky flavor it comes in, as a common, everyday sealant we would suggest applying lip balm.
For cracked skin, the waxy substance is known to help prevent the blood flow then soothe the area and prevent scabbing.
On your face, it will aim to seal in a wound and stick the skin tissue back together. Even Vaseline can do a similar adhesive job and still prevent scabbing.
Aftershave
Without wanting to look like Macaulay Culkin’s recreation of ‘The Scream’ from Home Alone, you are likely to use aftershave as part of your shaving routine anyway.
Only a tiny dab can help stop the bleeding and aftershaves with alcohol work best as astringents.
These products constrict the blood flow then allow the alcohol to act as an antiseptic to prevent infections.
Mouthwash
Yup, another astringent that you likely have within arm’s reach. The alcohol in most brands of mouthwash will help stop that blood flow by causing the skin tissues to contract. Just dab it on the wound and you should feel it working to prevent any further bleeding.
Tea Bags
If part of your early morning routine is a brew to wake you up then you may want to keep the tea bag once it has cooled down.
The tannic acid contained in the tea operates as a vasoconstrictor to constrict the blood vessels and reduce puffiness.
That is largely why caffeine is included in eye creams and serums as that ingredient actively reduces redness.
Simply grab the tea bag, moisten it with some water then apply it onto any nicks.
Ground coffee also does a similar job and you only need to dip your finger to apply it to the wound.
Ice Cubes
This is one method where you may have to nip to the kitchen to sort out that shaving nick. If you have ever seen a sports injury being tended to, you may have seen an ice pack applied.
This is another means to constrict those blood vessels as the cold treatment tightens them up and causes quicker blood clotting.
Grab a couple of ice cubes, wrap them in a dry cloth then hold them to the nick for a few seconds until the area feels colder.
Deodorant
While we would not recommend covering your entire face in deodorant (those fumes can be harmful), a small amount may help with a shaving nick.
Most deodorants contain an ingredient called aluminum chloride which can constrict blood vessels and actively clot a shaving nick.
You do not need much, just spray your fingertip then apply it to the wound with a cotton swab.
Styptic Pencil
One tailored solution that a lot of men should have in their bathroom cabinet is a styptic pencil. The tiny crayon works similarly to lip balm though is applied slightly differently. Apply some moisture then rub the end over your shaving nick.
The stick contains an active ingredient known as aluminum sulfate (or an ingredient with the same properties) which is a naturally occurring mineral and known as a styptic.
The application should stop the bleeding by contracting the skin tissues to seal in the cut then soothe any potential irritation.
Dry the pencil with some clean tissue once you are done so it remains hygienic and ready for the next time.
Final Thoughts
It is almost an inevitability that you will suffer a shaving nick from time to time. If you hone your preparation then the shave should be easier, less painful, and reduce the chances of a shaving nick.
Should you suffer one then avoid using toilet tissue as it can look embarrassing to leave the house with red dots on your face. Treat the open wound with a product that can heal the cut and treat it properly.
Grooming should be encouraged and normalized for men as it is for women - why is there a stigma around a man who takes care of his appearance when women are expected to?
If a woman were to put as little effort into her appearance as men are supposed to, she would be called lazy or another harsher word. But men are expected to wash their face with body wash and call it a day.
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