iamsms

July 19, 2023

• Prep: Warm Water Wash
• Brush: Razorock Plissoft Big Bruce
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Blade: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Oceana
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Aqua Velva

Aqua Velva is good.

July 9, 2023

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: L'occitane Plisson
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Blade: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Lather: Boellis Panama 1924
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Epsilon Blue (Splash)

I think the edge is soon due some refreshing. Wasn't the smoothest shave today.

July 7, 2023

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Simpson Shavemac 24mm
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Blade: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Lather: Boellis Panama 1924
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Epsilon Blue (Splash)

First shave of the month.

June 26, 2023

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Wald Synthetic
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Blade: Ralf Aust 6/8
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Seville
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - TSM Fougere (salve)

June 16, 2023

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Declaration Grooming B14 28mm
• Razor: Blackbird Lite
• Blade: Wizamet
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Oceana
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Proraso Green (Splash)

Second shave with BB Lite. Impressions remain same - mild-ish razor that is very skin friendly.

The reason I didn't give you the links is because I don't want to be your first hand source of medical information. I can't answer your follow up questions, I can't clarify your confusions with the level of confidence I would like to, because I am not a doctor, not someone educated (beyond google) in topics involved here.

But my source of 'alum preference' is far from 'a doctor told me so'. More like a doctor explained my experience - why after a shave (and aftershave) if I go out, for a brisk walk, or run, or hike - the sweat affects me differently based on my alum usage or lack of. If I don't use alum, the sweat stings. Why alcohol doesn't have similar effect. what is alum doing here, that alcohol isn't doing. That question was answered by a doctor who happens to be a wetshaver himself. But he pointed me to enough documents that convinced the software/electrical engineer in me enough. But I still don't want to be someone else's first source of medical use of alum. That being said, here are some sources that mention the efficacy of alum as a vasoconstrictor or hemostatic agents.

https://www.scielo.br/j/ibju/a/33TK8r9RwFJLNv5GKpBGfHD/?lang=en

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163818/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265692280_A_review_on_common_chemical_hemostatic_agents_in_restorative_dentistry

https://magazine.zhermack.com/en/studio-en/astringent-haemostatic-vasoconstrictor-agents-impression-taking/

the links I can give you are the ones can be found on google (alum + vasoconstriction). Better to talk to some folks on the sub like u/rdthedo and such who are actual doctors, and my original source.

EDIT - link to post downstream with links and such

Alum does a thing called Vasoconstriction (google or ask your doctor what it is) that a splash or balm doesn't. It repairs/closes the small cuts (even invisible ones) we get from shaving. Alcohol or which hazel aren't as good a vasoconstrictor as alum is.

Do you need it? Depends. It is all about how much you want to treat your face - even aftershave isn't mandatory. You can skip the tylenol if you have a little fever - does it mean tylenol doesn't do anything? No.

But you guys really should look up this a bit before saying alum doesn't do anything, we are at the point of spreading misinformation here.

what is up with this community ? https://sub.wetshaving.social/c/drama

10% off at Maggard. code 10OFFJUNE

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/2371

June 12, 2023

• Prep: Warm Water Wash
• Brush: Thater 28mm
• Razor: Blackbird Lite
• Blade: Wizamet
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Oceana
• Osma Alum: Yes
• Post Shave: Epsilon - Blue (Splash)

Details about the shave can be found in my first impression post