How to Stop Your Shaving Cut From Bleeding With Styptic Pencils

Every man has experienced shaving nicks. That’s especially true if you use a straight razor, or even if you’re just in a hurry. Thankfully, there’s a way to stop the bleeding, and fast. Here’s everything you need to know about styptic pencils, and how to make a shaving cut stop bleeding.

WHAT IS A STYPTIC PENCIL? 

It’s quite possible you’ve never heard of a styptic pencil. If not, prepare for a treat.

A styptic pencil is what’s called an antihemorrhagic tool. That’s just a fancy way of saying it prevents blood flow. Styptic pencils are, as you might have guessed, shaped similar to a pencil. They’re long sticks that, when applied to shaving nicks and cuts, stop the bleeding that results.

Styptic pencils work by contracting injured blood vessels. It’s that simple. They seal up the tissue surrounding your cut, which almost instantly stops the bleeding. They’re easy to use, and they work very quickly.

Styptic pencils are a great tool to have around, just in case you do slip while you’re shaving. But there are a few types of styptics you’ll need to look out for as you shop. Let’s look at each type.

STYPTIC PENCIL

The styptic pencil looks like a stick of chalk. It’s the oldest remedy in the book for stopping bleeding, and it’s very easy to use. If you find that you’ve cut yourself while you’re shaving, just rub the styptic pencil along your cut, and you’ll see almost instant results.

The Styptic pencil, or styptic stick, does contain astringents to help contract the blood vessels. That means that they might sting a bit when you use them. But most men agree – the little sting from a styptic stick is far better than bleeding from a shaving cut!

STYPTIC BALM 

Styptic balm looks a bit like a tube of lip balm, and they’re another quick way to make a shaving cut stop bleeding. Styptic balms contain the same antihemorrhagic ingredients as the stick, but they’re often also fortified with other ingredients to soothe the skin. Often, you’ll find jojoba oil, coconut oil and other ingredients in styptic balms. These ingredients protect your skin while they stop the bleeding.

STYPTIC POWDER 

Some men prefer a styptic powder. However, these are the least popular of the styptic tools available to stop bleeding. Styptic powders don’t apply as easily to shaving cuts, and they can be a little bit messy. But, for deeper cuts, they work great.

ALUM BLOCKS 

Alum blocks are another commonly used tool to stop shaving cuts from bleeding. They’re used a little differently than styptic pencils and balms, as they’re usually rubbed all over the face after a shave. Still, alum blocks are very effective in healing shaving nicks.

HOW TO USE A STYPTIC PENCIL TO STOP SHAVING CUTS FROM BLEEDING 

The first thing you need to know about how to stop a shaving cut from bleeding is that you don’t want to use your styptic stick immediately. Instead, just dab the cut with a soft tissue or cloth to temporarily slow the bleeding, then continue shaving.

The ingredients in a styptic pencil can affect your shave if you use it right after you cut yourself. So instead of using it immediately, wait until you’re done, rinse your face with cold water, then apply the styptic.

Once it’s time to use your styptic pencil or styptic balm, all you’ve got to do is press it to your skin for a few seconds. You’ll feel the sting of the astringent briefly, but soon after that, your bleeding will stop. That’s it! Easy, right?

BEST STYPTIC PENCIL PRODUCTS FOR MEN 

Ready to buy some styptic pencil products to add to your shaving kit? Here’s a list of the products we’ve tried that work best for stopping bleeding from shaving nicks and cuts.

Clubman Jumbo Styptic Pencil $3.89

 The Clubman Jumbo Styptic Pencil is just about the easiest tool you’ll find for stopping bleeding caused by shaving. It’s made of aluminum sulfate, one of the most effective antihemorrhagic ingredients known to science.

What we love best about the Clubman Jumbo Styptic Pencil is its size. The pencil is wider than most we’ve seen, which means you can press it along a larger surface area of your skin.

All you’ve got to do is moisten the tip of the pencil with water, then press it to your skin. Done! It comes with a plastic case to keep the pencil dry. Be sure you let your pencil air dry before placing it in the case.

Men say that the Clubman Jumbo Styptic Pencil burns a bit when you use it. But they also say it works instantly to stop bleeding. And for the price, you can’t beat this styptic pencil.

Glyder’s Styptic Balm $9.99

Glyder’s Styptic Balm is next on the list of men’s styptic products we love. It’s, obviously, a balm and looks like a tube of ChapStick. But it’s one of the most effective methods of stopping shaving cuts from bleeding that we’ve found.

We also love that this product contains so many ingredients that are nourishing to your skin. In Glyder’s Styptic Balm, you’ll find jojoba oil, which is commonly used to treat sores and bruises and keep the skin healthy. You’ll also find Vitamin E, which is very effective at preventing scars.

Glyder’s Styptic Balm has aloe vera, argan oil and tea tree oil, too. All of these ingredients are excellent for keeping your skin soft as your shaving nick heals. Glyder’s Styptic Balm stops bleeding and prevents scarring!

Pacific Shaving Company Nick Stick $5.29

 Here’s another one you’ll love. The Pacific Company Nick Stick is a liquid roll-on product that doesn’t leave a residue on your face. It goes on clear and heals your shaving nicks within 3 seconds in most cases.

Men who have tried the Pacific Shaving Company Nick Stick say that it burns much less than other products they’ve used, and we agree. We also love that the stick won’t break. That means you can toss it in your overnight or gym bag without worrying.

The Pacific Shaving Company Nick Stick has a couple ingredients to protect your skin, too. Aloe will soothe sore cuts, and Vitamin E will help prevent scars.

Osma Alum Block $11

 Last on our list, but certainly not least, is the Osma Alum Block. The Osma Alum Block contains all-natural ingredients, and acts as a natural astringent to close cuts that happen during shaving.

The alum block is easy to use. All you’ll do is wet it, then apply it to your entire face after shaving. If you’re using an electric razor, apply the alum block to your face prior to shaving.

Most men who have used this product use it every time they shave. You can apply it to your still-wet face after you rinse your shaving cream. But if you do have a cut or a nick from shaving, give that spot a little more attention. The Osma Alum Block stops bleeding within just a few seconds.

For best results, store your Osma Alum Block on a soap saver and allow to fully dry before stashing it in your bag.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’ve never heard of styptic shaving tools, it’s time to go shopping. Styptic pencils, balms, sticks and alum blocks are quick, effective and virtually painless ways to stop your shaving cuts from bleeding. Choose the product you want to try first, and experience a solution barbers and men have been using for years!