Heres how to shave with a razor without cutting yourself. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. We suggest using an aftershave lotion instead, and saving the alum for proper nicks and cuts, to prevent overdrying the skin. In the event you dont have a styptic pencil handy, put a little lip balm on the cut. Instead, allow us to share a couple other ways to heal those nicks and cutswith steps to simultaneously disinfect and heal. "Unless someone has a bleeding disorder, applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, at most, should be effective. In the evening, you can reapply witch hazel after cleansing the face, too. Place clean gauze or cloth on the wound and apply direct pressure. As we have alluded to above, the key to healing shaving cuts is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Before you get to an emergency room or before paramedics arrive, there are some important steps you should take: Whether its from a kitchen knife, the edge of envelope, or a piece of broken glass, a bleeding cut on your finger requires immediate attention to help reduce the odds of infection and help it start healing as soon as possible. You can buy it at your local pharmacy. After putting on clean latex gloves, apply firm pressure to the wound with a folded cloth or bandage for about 10 minutes. Treating minor cuts and grazes Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad (preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one). 5 Tips to Heal Shaving Cuts. If bleeding is still occurring after 20 minutes, medical attention is needed. Next, apply firm pressure with toilet paper over the cut. Once you know your spot is a harmless cherry angioma, you might be tempted to snip it off at home. That being said, it's impossible to know whether these methods are truly sterile. Could a cold bath be the key to beating rising temperatures? 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Salt. Instead, pick up a styptic pencil, or alum block. Not only that, but alcohol can also help to prevent infection, she says. Dont remove an object if its embedded in the body. Try to keep it from getting wet during the first day or so. Try to rinse soap out of wound to prevent irritation. With that in mind, heres what you should know about how to stop any of this from happening. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice. If youve cut yourself with a new blade, its often the result of applying too much pressure. Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops. When the wound is clean and no longer bleeding, it's time to start the healing. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Having tissues in your first aid kit, along with a topical nasal spray that is designed to go in the nasal passage (such as Sinex or Afrin), will help you administer first aid for a nosebleed. Change the bandage daily to keep the wound clean and dry. Some serious injuries bleed very little. Youll need something stronger if its really dirty. When bleeding has stopped, tape a clean bandage over the cut. A styptic, by definition, is a substance that stops bleeding.Aluminum sulfate, a naturally occurring mineral, is the usual active ingredient in this line of products, she says. Find out what causes bleeding gums and how to. Get tips on first aid, CPR, and much. This will reduce pressure in the nasal veins and slow the bleeding. All Rights Reserved. Family Doctor: First Aid: Cuts, Scrapes and Stitches., American Red Cross/Lakeland Chapter: Safety & Preparedness.. Keep putting direct pressure on the cut. If the injury has caused serious skin damage, you may need a skin graft. Got a Cut or Scrape? Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. And you should always speak with your physician before altering your medication regimen. But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. Learn more about these serious fractures, how theyre treated, and what to expect. You've heard of a cold shower. If blood soaks through the material, don't remove it. Recurring nosebleeds could be a symptom of something more serious, so tell a doctor if youre having regular nosebleeds. 2. This combo will remove dirt and bacteria that could cause an infection and potentially prolong healing, says Manuela Martins-Green, a professor of cell biology at the University of California. Here's how to apply one correctly. From staying hydrated to sitting less, what you can do. Apply pressure to the cut using a clean washcloth or gauze. It acts like an astringent to dry out and disinfect the targeted area. on your poor mug a light touch and fewer strokes will do the job just fine. Still, you need to understand how to treat common bleeding incidents such as cuts and bloody noses, as well as when to seek medical help. There's an App for That. You cant always judge the seriousness of a cut or wound by the amount it bleeds. Place a cool compress on the skin for 5 minutes. Youre not the only one. 1. If ice cubes are available, rub them over the cut. An old, dull blade combined with a less-than-stellar shaving technique can cause cuts to happen more frequently. Have the person sit down and lean their head forward. Use of this site constitutes your consent to application of such laws and regulations and to our Privacy Policy. Even a tiny shaving cut is an open wound, which provides a portal for bacteria to enter your body, potentially leading to infections. Bad idea. This should stop bleeding altogether. If the initial scab covering the wound grows bigger or becomes surrounded by redness, there may be an infection. Apply a witch hazel-based toner or other alcohol-free aftershave to disinfect the wound. Common questions about wound care. Get an ice cube. If the cut is small, first head to the nearest sink and wash your hands to prevent spreading infection to the open wound, according to the Mayo Clinic. Youll find the ingredient on deodorants like Axe and Dove. You should keep the following items around for situations where you may need to close a wound: Saline wash can also be helpful to have on hand in order to clear out debris or dirt from a wound without touching it. Use toilet paper or a cotton ball to swab your chapstick and apply it with pressure to the cut. As a vasoconstrictor, coffee can get a cut to stop bleeding faster, enabling a quicker healing process. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. Does Alcohol Affect Deep Vein Thrombosis? These could raise your risk of blood clots. You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops. "They could go to urgent care to stop the bleeding," says Dr. Lee. If possible, have the injured person lie down on the floor while you wait for medical care to arrive. Cover the cut with an adhesive strip, such as a Band-Aid, if the cut is on a part of your finger that may get dirty or touch other surfaces. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice. Its estimated that over 300 million people around the globe are living with a rare disease. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection thats typically caused by a cut from something rusty or dirty. A gunshot wound is a medical emergency. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. But too much bleeding. will work better than little squares of toilet paper. Get your skin and hair wet to make the area soft and slick. And if you're not feeling the sting yet get some barbed wire. And correctly treating small cuts helps prevent infection. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. Anything to make sure the cut is closed off. Luckily, if youre in a pinch, your stick of antiperspirant will do just fine all three contain ingredients that tighten your skin and constrict your blood vessels, which will quickly stop you from bleeding all over the place. To use them, dampen the tool with cold water, then press it gently against your cut. Before you begin to treat an injury, you should identify its severity as best you can. "Paprika has high concentrations of iron, which likely explains its use as a natural treatment to stop bleeding," says Dr. Zeichner. Make a tourniquet only if you know how and your injury is life-threatening. Many people like to shave right after or during a shower because the skin is warm, hydrated, and clean from oil and dead skin buildup. (2014, October 21). Squirt some shaving gel into your hand, then apply it to your face, making sure to cover the sides of your face, chin, mouth area (around your lips), neck, and throat. All rights reserved. 3. Use this if a limb has a deep cut and is bleeding profusely. "It is important that the area is thoroughly cleaned," says Dr. Zeichner. Mark Reiter, MD, American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Call your dentist or doctor if the bleeding doesnt stop after 1-2 hours. Check with your primary care physician if youre not sure. This is because blood vessels in the area are damaged. They basically stop the inflammatory cells from working, so when you get a scrape, there are fewer cells to clean and repair the wound, explains Martins-Green. 4. Just be sure to take note of when a cut requires an examination by a healthcare provider. 5 Things We Now Know About Peripheral Artery Disease. You might know of it by the terms styptic pen(cil) or styptic block.". This may make it bleed more. Rescue your face from shaving irritation! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a Td booster shot every 10 years so you're covered in situations like this. The common circulatory condition is a leading cause of amputations in the U.S. Shaving cuts happen to the best of us, whether were new to shaving or have been doing it for decades. The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness, or a thick discharge, or if the person runs a fever. Raise the finger above the heart, allowing the hand or arm to rest on something if needed. The article suggests 9 easy ways in which men can treat shaving nicks and cuts. In most cases, the healing process should start within 24 hours. This Coffee Shop Provides Free Therapy for Men, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Put. Rather than distributing its pressure uniformly, these tiny sharp crags and grooves on the razor act like a serrated knife on your skin. An alum block looks a lot like a bar of soap and feels like a stone, and in the event of a rather nasty cut, its a good thing to have in your shaving artillery. Im not a fan of using anything else such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or antibiotic cream.. Shave with the grain first, and then if you want a really close shave, make a single pass against the grain this will limit your strokes and your discomfort (just be warned that shaving against the grain could lead to more ingrowns if you find yourself suffering from those nasty red bumps after shaving, we recommend applying a little Rescue Serum to soothe that burn). The first reason is just nature's way the second reason, not so much. Also seek immediate medical care for a cut or wound if: If a person is bleeding profusely, be on the lookout for symptoms of shock. Your face will thank you for it. Its a small brick or pen-shaped tool, made of the mineral potassium alum. Accidents happen all the time, from your childs latest boo-boo to a co-workers on-the-job injury to slicing your finger while chopping veggies, so knowing how to stop the bleeding is key. Keep it in place with medical tape or your hands. Even in cases of moderate blood loss, the bleeding person may feel lightheaded or nauseous. The first reason is just nature's waythe second reason, not so much. Some guys will apply an alum block against the entire shaved region (as an aftershave remedy), to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. Press it against the cut for 30 seconds. Get cleaned up without bumps, cuts, or ingrown hairs. He recommends laying a towel . All rights reserved.