Old timer told me to just use witch hazel on nicks, laughed it off for 5 years

Back when I first started cutting hair, this guy named Jerry who was 70 years old kept telling me to skip the styptic powder and just grab witch hazel from the drugstore. I thought he was crazy and stuck with my powder for years. Then about 6 months ago I ran out mid-shift and remembered his advice. Tried it on a customer who had a razor bump and it stopped the bleeding in under a minute without that burning sting. Now I keep a bottle at every station and go through a quarter of the powder I used to. Has anyone else had an old school tip like that turn out to actually work better?

3 comments

3 Comments

riley_wood844d ago

Wait did the witch hazel actually stop the bleeding or just slow it down? I've heard old barbers swear by it but always assumed it was just for skin irritation.

ellioth374d ago

Nope it Actually works to stop bleeding, not just slow it down. I knicked myself pretty good with a straight razor once and doused a cotton ball in witch hazel, held it there for maybe a minute, and it clotted right up. It's the tannins in it that do the trick, they constrict the blood vessels and help seal the cut. So yeah old barbers weren't just messing around, it's legit for both that and calming your skin down after a shave.

ruby_jones4d ago

Saw this too late after nicking my chin with a cheap disposable razor once and it bled for like 20 minutes! Tried witch hazel on a paper towel the next time I cut myself and @riley_wood84 is totally right, it clotted up way faster than just waiting it out. Definitely a lifesaver for shaving cuts, not just for soothing skin.