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straight razor & barber shop risk?

post #1 of 18
6/23/09 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
Did you ever have your barber use a straight edge razor on you? I was just wondering about the risk associated with it. Isn't there a chance of various diseases? Sure he might sterilize it but it is not 100% guarantee on safety. There is a reason why multi-use syringes aren't used anymore.
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post #2 of 18
6/23/09 at 7:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozymandias View Post
Did you ever have your barber use a straight edge razor on you? I was just wondering about the risk associated with it. Isn't there a chance of various diseases? Sure he might sterilize it but it is not 100% guarantee on safety. There is a reason why multi-use syringes aren't used anymore.

Generally, barbershops in the US use straight razors with disposable blades: Dovo shavettes, and Feather Artist clubs. In Europe and other areas I've seen they use the normal straights, but sanitization methods vary.

However, these practices are common for fixed-blade razors everywhere, as best I can tell:
For each new patron, the razors are stopped before shaving. Generally that alone should kill some/most pathogens, iirc.
They tend to shave with either soaps or creams...although I have seen some who just use oil.
A good barber shouldn't cut you anyway, but nicks and scrapes happen. Generally a barber lets it bleed as he finishes, unless it's quite a bad cut.
Aftershave tends to be alcohol-based to kill off anything that might have seeped in anyway.

Is there a risk? sure. Are we talking a big risk? IMHO, no.
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post #3 of 18
6/24/09 at 12:11pm
I am always worried that the barber will end up to be someone who knows someone who wants me dead... You know, just a quick slip of the razor and then, "ooops. Sorry sucker!"
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post #4 of 18
6/24/09 at 12:33pm
OP: You are a little too paranoid. The risks do exist but they are very, very small. You can call ahead and see if they use disposable blades but you should be just fine. Although it is easy for a beginner to slice his own face out of carelessness, once one is experienced with a straight razor it almost never happens.
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post #5 of 18
6/24/09 at 1:13pm
If you haven't seen "Sweeney Todd" it will put your fears at rest.
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post #6 of 18
6/24/09 at 5:36pm
Barbicide can kill hiv-1, hep-b and hep-c I think you'll be ok.
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post #7 of 18
6/24/09 at 5:57pm
If that concerned, bring your own straight razor to your barber.
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post #8 of 18
6/24/09 at 8:20pm
a good barber uses this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alunite

and theres nothing that survives this ..
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post #9 of 18
6/24/09 at 8:33pm
a lady used a straight razor on my neck after my hair cut and cut me and she had to apply pressure to stop the bleeding

within 10 days I had ring worm infection on the back of my neck that took a month to go away

DONT LET BARBERS use straight razors! you never know what germs could be on that dirty blade.
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post #10 of 18
6/24/09 at 11:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bolo View Post
a lady used a straight razor on my neck after my hair cut and cut me and she had to apply pressure to stop the bleeding

within 10 days I had ring worm infection on the back of my neck that took a month to go away

DONT LET BARBERS use straight razors! you never know what germs could be on that dirty blade.

Just from the bolded words I could have told you that only trouble lay ahead for you. Be glad your head remains attached!!!
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post #11 of 18
6/24/09 at 11:42pm
Been doing it for at least 35 years---still here.
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post #12 of 18
6/24/09 at 11:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Busa Dave View Post
Been doing it for at least 35 years---still here.

Have you worn out any razors yet?
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post #13 of 18
6/25/09 at 12:12am
i used go to the barber for a shave when i was a teenager and had very sensitive skin. they always cut me here and there but i never had a problem with infections.
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post #14 of 18
6/25/09 at 12:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bolo View Post
a lady used a straight razor on my neck after my hair cut and cut me and she had to apply pressure to stop the bleeding

within 10 days I had ring worm infection on the back of my neck that took a month to go away

DONT LET BARBERS use straight razors! you never know what germs could be on that dirty blade.

Dude that is so fucking weird. I've never heard of anybody getting a fungal infection from a cut like that.
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post #15 of 18
6/25/09 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bolo View Post
a lady used a straight razor on my neck

I know it's already been said, but there's your problem.

OP I think you're worrying about this a little too much.
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