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November 15, 2021

How Stop a Shaving Cut from Bleeding: 5 Tips

Medically Reviewed by Carolin Schneider, MD

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Have you ever been in a rush and cut yourself while shaving? Just about everyone has nicked their skin with a razor blade at some point. And when you have a busy morning, it's a real pain to have a cut that won't stop bleeding. Try these tips to put a quick stop to bleeding from shaving cuts.

1. Put Cold Water or Ice on the Cut

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Wet a towel with cold water or grab an ice cube and apply it to the cut. The cold will make your blood vessels constrict, and that slows the flow of blood and eventually helps it form a clot.

2. Or Try Hot Water Instead

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Hot water can also help stop the bleeding. Just wet a towel with very warm water and press it on the cut or nick. You may need to do this a few times until the bleeding stops. Remember to hold the cloth firmly against your skin — don't rub it over the cut.

3. Apply Pressure

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Pressure alone can also put a stop to a small bleed. Press a clean towel against the cut and hold it there firmly for a minute.

4. Use Lip Balm or Vaseline

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Yep — lip balm can help your cut stop bleeding. The waxy texture can help seal the skin and make a blood clot form. If you don't want to dirty your lip balm, use Vaseline instead. Just dab a bit onto the nick to seal it instantly.

5. Pour Some Sugar on the Cut

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You may have heard that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. But did you know it can also get a small cut to stop bleeding? The sugar acts as a disinfectant, killing any bacteria in the wound. Just sprinkle a bit of sugar into the cut and hold it closed for a few minutes. (You can also use salt or black pepper, but those will sting the wound.)

How to Prevent Shaving Cuts

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If you're constantly dealing with nicks and cuts from shaving, there are some things you can do to prevent them:

For starters, make sure you moisturize the area before and after shaving.
Shave in the direction the hair grows.
Make sure the razorblade is brand new and clean.
If you continue to get cuts often, try using a different type of razor.

And remember that minor cuts and nicks won't bleed for very long — so if you're not in a hurry, just clean the cut with soap and water and stick a small bandage over it. After a day, take the bandage off to let the cut air out.

Resource Links:

"How to Shave" via American Academy of Dermatology
"Male Beard and Facial Skin: Challenges for Shaving" via Brazilian Society of Dermatology

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