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If you’ve ever shaved (which is pretty much everyone), chances are you’ve gotten a few nicks and cuts on your skin. They can be super annoying, painful, and can bleed a lot more than you’d think. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to treat nicks and cuts. To help you do it, we’ve put together a handy list of options for you to choose a treatment that works best for you.

1

Apply pressure with a clean washcloth or gauze.

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  1. One of the simplest and most effective ways to stop any minor cut from bleeding is to apply firm pressure for a few minutes. Use dry, absorbent material such as gauze or a washcloth. Press and hold it against any bleeding nicks and cuts until the bleeding stops.[1]
    • Make sure the washcloth is clean so you don’t introduce any additional dirt or bacteria that could potentially lead to an infection.
    • Using a dry washcloth (instead of a wet one) will help soak up any blood and help stop the bleeding.
    • You can also use a clean towel if you don’t have a washcloth or gauze nearby.
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2

Press a styptic pencil against the cut.

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  1. Styptic pencils are an old-school tool used to stop razor nicks and cuts. It’s a small stick made out of astringents such as anhydrous aluminum sulfate, potassium alum, or titanium dioxide that help your blood coagulate and clot. Wet the tip and press it against any nicks or cuts on your skin for just a few seconds and the bleeding should stop.[2]
    • Styptic pencils can leave a white, powdery residue on your skin, so be sure to rinse it off before you head out the door.
    • You can find styptic pencils at your local pharmacy or department store.
3

Use an alum block instead of a styptic pencil.

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  1. An alum block is basically like a bar of soap that’s made out of potassium alum and it works almost the same as a styptic pencil. Though it may not be medically proven, it’s a popular method people use to treat razor nicks and cuts. Simply wet the bar and rub it on your skin after you shave.[3]
    • The main difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil is you can treat a larger area with the block, while the pencil is really only for spot treatments.
    • In addition to being great at stopping bleeding, alum blocks have antiseptic properties that can help prevent razor burn.
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5

Try a shaving nick roller and gel.

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  1. A shaving nick roller and gel is a product specifically designed to treat razor nicks and cuts. Remove the cap and roll the tip across any cuts, applying firm pressure while you do. The roller and gel apply astringents and soothing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to stop the bleeding and reduce pain and irritation.[5]
    • Look for shaving nick rollers and gel at your local pharmacy or department store.
    • A shaving nick roller and gel may not be medically proven to work, but it’s a common and popular strategy people use to treat razor nicks and cuts.
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6

Apply witch hazel toner or alcohol-free aftershave.

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  1. Though toner and aftershave is designed to help soothe your skin and prevent razor burn, they actually also acts as great disinfectants. Apply some to your skin to help clean any nicks and cuts as well as to reduce an irritation.[6]
    • Witch hazel toner is great for treating and soothing nicks and cuts in sensitive regions such as your bikini line.[7]
    • Witch hazel toner and aftershave are commonly used to treat nicks and cuts from shaving, but they aren’t medically proven to work.
7

Splash cold water on your skin to stop the bleeding.

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9

Rub unused lip balm over the nick.

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  1. Lip balm, a.k.a. Chapstick, is designed to hydrate skin and keep it from drying out, but it also forms a protective layer. Apply a layer over any nicks and cuts and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, gently wipe the balm away and it’ll leave behind just enough to help nurture the wound.[10]
    • Make sure you don’t use lip balm that’s been in contact with your lips or it could introduce bacteria to the wound. You can scrape off the top layer if you need to first.
    • Lip balm may not be medically proven to work on razor cuts, but it can help form a layer of protection.
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10

Use petroleum jelly instead of lip balm.

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  1. Petroleum jelly, such as products like Vaseline, help hydrate and protect your skin. Spread a thin layer over any nicks and cuts on your skin and let it sit for about a half-hour. Then, gently wipe away the excess before you leave for the day.[11]
    • Just like lip balm isn’t medically proven, Vaseline hasn’t been shown to be an effective treatment for razor nicks and cuts. But it may help keep your skin protected.
11

Use mouthwash as an astringent.

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  1. While it’s not medically proven or designed to treat nicks and cuts, mouthwash with alcohol can act as an astringents and help constrict blood vessels, and if you have mouthwash that has alcohol, you have a ready-made astringent! Apply some directly to any nicks and cuts. It may sting a bit, but it’ll help disinfect the wound and slow down bleeding.[12]
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Tips

  • While plenty of people still use it and swear by it, sticking tiny bits of toilet paper over a razor nick or cut isn’t ideal. It dissolves easily, and you don’t want anything dissolving in an open wound.[15]
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Warnings

  • If a cut shows signs of an infection, such as red streaks in the skin around it or oozing pus, see your doctor. They’ll be able to examine the wound and can prescribe medications that can help if you need it.[16]
  • If you cut yourself so deep that it’s bleeding profusely and won’t stop bleeding, seek immediate medical attention for treatment.[17]
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About This Article

Anthony Stark, EMR
Co-authored by:
Emergency Medical Responder
This article was co-authored by Anthony Stark, EMR. Anthony Stark is a certified EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) in British Columbia, Canada. With over 11 years of experience, he has worked as an industrial medic and provided urban and rural paramedic services. He currently works for Mountain View Safety Services and previously worked for the British Columbia Ambulance Service. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has completed the EMP Canada EMT Course and Swiftwater Awareness Training associated with the British Columbia Ambulance Service. This article has been viewed 357,863 times.
19 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 22
Updated: November 11, 2023
Views: 357,863
Categories: Treating Cuts
Article SummaryX

To treat a razor nick or cut, try holding an ice cube against it if it's a minor cut, which will constrict the blood vessels so it stops bleeding. You can also try rubbing some vaseline, lip balm, or deodorant over the cut to seal your skin and force the blood to clot. If you have a severe nick or cut that won't stop bleeding, apply pressure to it with a tissue or towel for up to 15 minutes. Once the bleeding stops, clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic cream before bandaging it. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention. To learn how to prevent cuts and nicks while shaving, scroll down!

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Reader Success Stories

  • Khyliee Terry

    Khyliee Terry

    Mar 7, 2017

    "This helped me a whole lot. I got a razor nick yesterday and it was burning so much and now I know to put ice or..." more
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