Okay, so the other day I was shaving, like I do every morning, and I nicked myself. Nothing major, just a little cut on my chin, but those things bleed like crazy, right? I pressed a tissue against it, but it just kept going. Then I remembered something my grandpa used to have in his shaving kit – a styptic pencil. I did a bit of digging and found out what they are and how they work.
What’s a styptic pencil?
Turns out, a styptic pencil is this neat little tool specifically designed to stop bleeding from minor cuts, especially those you get while shaving. They are shaped like a pencil, easy to use. They’re basically these long sticks made of stuff that helps stop the bleeding when you apply them to a cut.
How did I use it?
- First, I ran the tip of the pencil under some cold water. You don’t have to, but it helps dissolve the active ingredients a little.
- Then, I gently pressed the wet tip of the pencil onto the cut. I held it there for a few seconds, maybe 10 or 15. It stung a little, not gonna lie, but it wasn’t unbearable.
- After that, I took the pencil away and checked the cut. The bleeding had pretty much stopped! There was just a tiny bit of residue from the pencil, which I easily wiped away with a damp cloth.
Why did I choose to use a styptic pencil?
I realized I didn’t have any other options, and remembering my grandpa’s old kit made me curious. Plus, they seemed like a really quick and effective solution for wound healing, especially for someone like me who’s always in a rush in the morning. They use these things called alum block crystals and some kind of waxy stuff to tighten up the blood vessels over the cut. This makes it clot faster and seals up the wound.
My thoughts
Honestly, I’m pretty impressed. It worked like a charm, and it’s way more convenient than trying to use a tissue or a bandage for a small cut. This styptic pencil took care of the shaving accident fast and easy. I’m definitely keeping one of these in my bathroom cabinet from now on. If you’re prone to nicks and cuts while shaving, I’d highly recommend giving one a try. Makes every shave a safe and satisfying one.
