fun times with alum...

I'd go Thayers followed by some hydrocortisone cream. That looked pretty intense

If you want to continue to use alum, I would say give Metisol (Myrsol) or Sin (Fragrance free PAA) aftershaves that have the alum in the alcohol aftershave. Very effective and much less irritating than applying the alum block straight to the skin.

Your skin in combination to the beard mapping does look challenging.

I'd say you shave south to north on the neck? If no consequence add east to west or west to east.

I do shave south to north on my neck. with the exception of my main throat area, I shave on a slight angle from south to north for a slight across the grain shave.

That looks painful, Andrew. Personally, I never use alum.

In that case, I'd use a toner like Shea Moisture Shave or Thayers followed by a good moisturizing balm, for example the Myrsol Emulsion.

That looks painful, Andrew. Personally, I never use alum.

In that case, I'd use a toner like Shea Moisture Shave or Thayers followed by a good moisturizing balm, for example the Myrsol Emulsion.

it was a little rough, for sure. I tried using alum a few years ago and it made my skin feel like it was on fire. at the time, it was just a cheap block of alum you'd find at a local Indian grocery store.

fast forward to about a month or two ago...I was shaving my head and nicked myself pretty good. my styptic pencil was literally crumbling in my hand since it was so old. I figured it'd be a good opportunity to try alum again. I liked what I saw with the razorock alum since it was cheap and had its own container and it was reviewed highly on amazon. thinking that it looked like a better quality product than what I had previously used, maybe it'd be alright on my skin. I was wrong, of course. no more alum for me unless I cut myself!

Alum lights me up like it does Andrew if I don't get it off. Fortunately, with me it starts irritating pretty quick so I get a reminder to get it off.

I don't used alum anymore, though use a styptic pencil as needed.

I asked my dermatologist about alum. He said it can help those with oily skin because it closes the pores, though isn't needed for others.

I doubt I'll come up with an idea he hasn't tried, though will through it out just in case. Are you going south to north on our first pass? Much of your beard grows in that direction.

Alum's only rough for me after shaving with a very aggressive razor. Then it's kind of like that scene in "Home Alone" when the kid applies aftershave.

Otherwise, I like alum.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/09/...rJumbo.jpg

The same exact thing happened to me. There are some people you can use alum and some who can not. I know several people who had to stop using it. Everyones body chemistry is different.b I wrote the following reply on another blog regarding this issue.

A few years ago I purchased an alum block. I used it in conjunction with an alcohol based aftershave. Within a few weeks after using the alum I developed a rash on my neck which became increasingly worse. One morning after applying alum to the area I shaved I developed a rash allover my neck so bad that I would not leave the house. It looked like measles and felt like a severe sunburn. The alum was Osma which is a quality natural product. Prior to calling my dermatologist I checked the web and found the following. A rash like I had, happens on some people but not all from using alum. The articles I read indicated that to prevent it do not use a products that dehydrates you skin. Alcohol based products such as splashes and alum do dehydrate your skin. And, do not use an antibacterial. Alum is an antibacterial. Within a day after eliminating the aftershave and alum the rash disappeared and I have not had it since. This does not happen to everyone who uses alum but it is a problem.

Alum lights me up like it does Andrew if I don't get it off. Fortunately, with me it starts irritating pretty quick so I get a reminder to get it off.

I don't used alum anymore, though use a styptic pencil as needed.

I asked my dermatologist about alum.  He said it can help those with oily skin because it closes the pores, though isn't needed for others.

I doubt I'll come up with an idea he hasn't tried, though will through it out just in case.  Are you going south to north on our first pass?  Much of your beard grows in that direction.

yep. my growth patterns are all over the place: