Treat Razor Nicks and Cuts

Everyone who shaves has to contend with the unpleasant and sometimes painful razor nicks and cuts that are part of this process. While these wounds are usually minor, they still need proper treatment and care. This article teaches you about how to treat razor nicks and cuts, but also discusses how best to avoid inflicting these wounds.

Steps

Treating Minor Razor Nicks and Cuts

1. Stick toilet paper to the nick or cut. One of the traditional methods to treat a nick or cut is to apply a small piece of toilet paper to the area and wait for it to clot over.
   • While this method works, it often takes longer to stop the bleeding than some of the other remedies discussed below.
   • Don’t forget to remove the toilet paper before leaving the house.
2. Apply an ice cube to the affected area. Cold water constricts the blood vessels, which slows blood flow to the area and helps stop the bleeding. Grab an ice cube from the freezer and hold it to the affected area.
   • You can also try to run the affected area under cold water or hold a cold cloth against the wound.
   • Some people recommend soaking a hand towel with water, wringing it out, and then placing it in the freezer so it is available to treat these minor shaving nicks and cuts.
3. Hold a cloth with hot water against the nick or cut. Hot water will also help stop the bleeding because it basically cauterizes the wound. Hold a warm cloth firmly in place over the wound.
   • You might have to keep running the cloth under warm water for maximum effect.
4. Use witch hazel. Witch hazel is an astringent that also constricts blood vessels and should relieve the bleeding. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the location of the nick or cut.
   • Since witch hazel is an astringent, be prepared for it to sting when you apply it.
5. Rub lip balm or vaseline on the nick or cut. The next time you nick or cut yourself shaving, reach for the lip balm or vaseline. Since the texture is waxy, it seals the skin and forces the blood to clot over.
   • Don’t apply the lip balm directly from the tube because then you can’t use it again. Instead, scrape a little off with a cotton swab so your lip balm is still sanitary to use.
6. Grab your deodorant or antiperspirant. Many antiperspirants and deodorants contain aluminum chloride, which can cause a blood clot to form and help stanch the bleeding. Coat your fingertip with the deodorant or antiperspirant and then gently apply it to the affected area.
   • So you don’t have to throw the tube of deodorant away after using, it’s best to apply with a fingertip or a cotton swab.
7. Sprinkle sugar on the affected wound. If the cut is small, sprinkling a little sugar onto the wound will stop the bleeding and also disinfect the wound.
   • Some people also recommend cayenne and black pepper, but these will sting more than the sugar.
8. Splash some Listerine or mouthwash on the nick or cut. Before being marketed as a mouthwash, Listerine was originally used as a surgical antiseptic. Splash a little mouthwash on the affected area to disinfect your wound and stop the bleeding.
   • As you might imagine, it stings quite a bit, but it should get the job done.
9. Add a few eye drops to the affected nick or cut. Eye drops such as Visine constrict blood vessels, which help slow and stop bleeding. As a result eye drops can also provide relief when you cut or nick yourself while shaving.
10. Invest in an old-fashioned styptic pencil or alum block. Once standard issue in medicine cabinets and shaving kits, these products have been around for centuries. Styptic pencils usually contain titanium dioxide, potassium alum, or a sulfate formulation that helps the blood clot. Similarly, alum blocks are bar-soap sized blocks of potassium alum, which constricts the tissues and stanches blood flow.
    • To use a styptic pencil, you wet the tip and press it against the nick or cut.
    • To use an alum block you wet it and rub it on the affected area.
    • The astringents in these products make them sting, but they should stop the bleeding quickly. They can also prevent razor burn.
    • Styptic pencils and alum blocks can leave behind a powdery, white residue, so be sure to check the mirror and rinse it off before heading out the door.
    • You can usually find styptic pencils and alum blocks at pharmacies, beauty supply stores, and online. Traditional barber’s shops might also sell them.

Providing Wound Care for Severe Nicks and Cuts

1. Rinse the wound under cold water. This will help stop the bleeding and give you a better idea of how severe the wound is.
2. Apply pressure to the wound. Find a tissue, a wad of toilet paper, or a towel and press down on the area where the bleeding seems the most severe. Apply pressure to the wound for 5 to 15 minutes.
   • If blood soaks through the cloth, add another cloth without lifting up the one on the wound.
   • If applying firm pressure did not stop the bleeding, you can pinch the skin together with your skin and index finger, which should help stop the bleeding.
   • If this technique doesn’t work and you continue bleeding, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
3. Elevate the wound. If possible, try to elevate the body part with the wound so it is positioned above the heart. This should help slow down blood flow to that area.
4. Clean the wound. After the bleeding stops, use hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or an antibiotic cream on the affected area. This will help prevent infection and ensure the cut heals faster.
5. Bandage the wound. Place a sterile bandage on the wound to keep dirt and bacteria out and prevent the bleeding from starting again.
   • Change the bandage if blood soaks through or it gets wet. This will help keep the wound clean and dry.
6. Remove the bandage after a few days. If the cut was not too severe, you can probably remove the bandage from the wound after a few days. This will help it heal faster.
7. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues or you see signs of infection. If you are unable to stop the bleeding or notice any redness, irritation, or pus around the cut, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional will be able to evaluate and provide appropriate care for your wound.

Preventing Razor Nicks and Cuts

1. Moisturize the area before and after shaving. Moisturizing before and after you shave will help prevent nicks and cuts from occurring in the first place.
2. Have a warm shower before you shave. Taking a warm shower before you shave or washing the area you are shaving with hot water for a few minutes prior to shaving will help keep the razor from dragging on your skin. This reduces the risk of nicks and cuts.
   • This technique is called wet shaving.
   • When you wet shave, use a gentle soap that won’t strip away your skin’s oils or dry out the skin, which makes shaving even more difficult.
3. Replace your razor blade regularly. Replacing your razor blade regularly will prevent the nicks and cuts that come from shaving with a dull razor. Changing your blade often will also prevent razor bumps and redness, and reduce the growth of bacteria that might lead to infections.
   • Change your blades as soon they seem dull. When the razor drags on your skin or when it feels uncomfortable to shave, this is a good indicator you need to change the blade.
   • Changing your razor after 5 to 10 shaves is one recommended timeline, but it depends on how often you use your razor.
   • Gillette recently revealed that their razor cartridges are designed to last for five weeks.
4. Avoid shaving dry. Although it might be tempting to try and save money and time, shaving dry or without gel or cream increases the likelihood of nicks and cuts. Use shaving gel or shaving cream so the razor will glide smoothly over your skin.
   • Hair conditioner also works well as a shave gel or cream, and can be less expensive depending on the brand.
5. Ditch the single-blade disposable razor. Disposable razors with a single blade, while often more affordable, tend to drag on the skin, leading to nasty nicks and cuts.
   • For a smoother shave, opt for a razor with more blades.
6. Keep the razor clean and dry. Most of us don’t bother to clean or dry our razor blade after using, but research suggests this increases longevity, and prevents the blade from getting dull, which usually results in bad cuts and nicks. Try these tricks to keep your razor clean and dry:
   • Rinse your razor after use in clean, hot water.
   • On a dry towel or a pair of jeans, wipe the razor in the opposite direction from shaving. This helps get rid of any hair or shaving cream residue that might dull the blades or result in a less than perfect shave.
   • Lubricate the blades after use with olive oil or an oil that won’t irritate your skin. You can use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of oil to the blade.
   • Let the razor air dry, and store it away from water.
7. Handle the razor properly. Handling your razor properly and avoiding a few common mistakes will help prolong the life of your blades. You should avoid:
   • Pressing too hard on the razor, which wears the blade down but also increases the risk of nicks and cuts.
   • Tapping the razor head against the sink or shower can damage the blade edges, shorten the blade’s life, and result in nicks and cuts.
8. Consider using a different type of razor. If your current shaving method continues to cause irritating nicks and cuts, research and experiment with other razor options or other hair-removal methods.
   • To get a smoother shave without the nicks and cuts, many people are turning to more traditional shaving methods with double-edged (DE) razors or straight razors.

Tips

• Moisturize before and after shaving to reduce the risk of nicks and cuts.
• Keep your razor clean and dry for longer blade life, but also to prevent cuts and nicks from dull blades.
• Using an astringent like witch hazel or after-shave compounds can also help condition the skin and reduce post-shaving inflammation.

Warnings

• Don't press too hard with your razor. It dulls the blade, and can lead to nicks and cuts.

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Sources and Citations

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