What is the difference b/w these? I thought they were the same thing.
Alum blocks are made from potassium alum and are a mild astringent and antiseptic, usually used over the whole face during your post-shave ritual, before applying your aftershave or balm. Styptic pencils are made of some other (unknown to me) substance -
Believe it or not the pencil is made of the same stuff (potassium alum)!
Concentration is the difference, right? I wet the styptic and apply to cuts or nicks if the bleeding doesn't stop on its own. I use the alum regardless, as an astringent/antiseptic/toner. The styptic stings quite a bit, but the alum, hardly any (unless I scraped off a bunch o skin).
Is the function of the Alum Block the same as using Witch Hazel post shave?
I usually put a little Witch Hazel on my brush then apply to my face after the shave...
I like the styptic. Call me a masochist but I like that sting?!
not as masochist as the septic pencil at least!
Speaking of Masochistic...I wonder if Phil could make Lilac Veg scented Styptic pencils?
Now you've got me thinking.........
It's the fact the stypic pencil is a powdered form of alum that makes it sting more; it's not concentrated any more than the block. Once you apply it to your bleeding site with water, it will dissolve in the water and perform it's function. That's why you'll see that fine power around the wound at times. The alum block is solid and is not prone to dissolve away. For example, imagine a big block of salt and put it into a pot of water. It won't dissolve as quickly as adding the same volume of salt crystals.I think you are right about concentration. Alum block on the whole face, styptic pencil only on bleeders.
Believe it or not the pencil is made of the same stuff (potassium alum)!
The difference between the two is that an alum block is pure alum while the styptic pencil is an alum base but contains other chemicals to specifically stop bleeding.