Used a razor for the first time; questions.

[Paix et Amour]

i broke open a disposable razor and took out a blade. its small but it worked. it was the first time ive used something besides scissors, for time i had a cut bleed (im a wimp with the scissors lol) i cut on my stomach. a few short shallow lines, but they did bleed a little, so enough for that. my questions are actually -

how should i clean cuts? i put some peroxide on them but idk if i should have done something else.

does it hurt them to go into a pool? my shirt over them didnt hurt the next morning at all, but im not sure about a swimsuit and water with chlorine.

should i put a bandaid on them when they are fresh cuts?

whats a good way to clean the razor? (it wasnt all that clean, it had been used like once, and had a bit of a dirty spot. nothing i was worried about though)

telling me not to cut really wont do much of anything, all i need to know is how to do it without getting an infection or causing more healing time. thankss...

[PutYourHeartsUp]

As far as the bandaids go, I learned that (I'd put sources if it wasn't almost 2am) they can help keep scars to a minimum and help them heal quicker so I'd go for the bandaids as long as you keep cleaning them and aren't allergic.

[Dez]

Well, I was told that it's a good idea to put an ointment like Neosporin or Bacitracin (sp?) on them, and I know in middle school when the nurse found out I cut, she point ointment and a huge band-aid (how embarrassing xP) and the cuts, so I think it would be all right to put a band-aid on it. But keep cleaning them. I also use soap and water and let the shower get at it. I know that at least for me, it doesn't hurt to go into a swimming pool with fresh cuts. I've done it once or twice before.

[Paix et Amour]

thanks. bandaids and neosporin it is.

[jaclax182b]

...................... you're supposed to clean them and put bandaids on them?

well now i have a big X on my wrist -____________-

btw im new here soooooooo i have no clue what im doing so thankskaybai.

[Cabron]

I see no one's answered your question about the razor--quite honestly, I wouldn't use a razor that you use to shave your body with as you don't really know where it's been (unless it's your own personal one). Especially if you've used it to shave your pubic area or even your armpits/legs, it can harbor bacteria that you definitely don't want in your cuts. If you're going to cut with a razor, you need to be doubly as careful because they're always sharper than you think they are. I learned this the hard way. Look at it carefully before using it to make sure there are no rusty spots or anything odd about it. If there are, discard it immediately.

[Paix et Amour]

Originally Posted by Cabron

I see no one's answered your question about the razor--quite honestly, I wouldn't use a razor that you use to shave your body with as you don't really know where it's been (unless it's your own personal one). Especially if you've used it to shave your pubic area or even your armpits/legs, it can harbor bacteria that you definitely don't want in your cuts. If you're going to cut with a razor, you need to be doubly as careful because they're always sharper than you think they are. I learned this the hard way. Look at it carefully before using it to make sure there are no rusty spots or anything odd about it. If there are, discard it immediately.

thanks. i used it once for my arms. it doesnt look too bad. i clean it with peroxide as well as the cuts.

[Ambiance]

...please don't cut?

[PutYourHeartsUp]

You may also find this thread on First Aid helpful, it's a pretty good guide on how to take care of many different self harm wounds, although the best way is to try to prevent it from happening. It's a good first step that you want to make sure you're safe, and we'll be here if you decide you want help stopping.

[bipolar]

hi um so i used to be a cutter and recently i started um... being a wimp with scissors like you said and well... how do i work up the nerve to cut for real. i'd like to use a razor, i remember it being easier, and i just really want to do this again, but im scared i'll get caught just like i did last time. help?

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by bipolar

hi um so i used to be a cutter and recently i started um... being a wimp with scissors like you said and well... how do i work up the nerve to cut for real. i'd like to use a razor, i remember it being easier, and i just really want to do this again, but im scared i'll get caught just like i did last time. help?

We're not going to give you advice on how to cut deeper. Even if it wasn't against the rules, it's incredibly immoral. You should focus more on getting help for whatever problems are making you feel like cutting is the answer, instead of how to "work up the nerve" to do something unhealthy and dangerous.

[*Learningtobreathe*]

i have never used a razor but my sister did. i usually just put neosporin on the cuts and wash them in the shower. i have been caught a few times and the nurse at my school put a large bandaid on them. so i'm not alot of help i know.

[Hallelujah]

Once they've healed over to some extent, I'd recommend a decent moisturiser, it can help relieve itching and ease off scarring. As for when they're fresh - warm water, antiseptic, and if they are open, a dressing. If they're only light, leave them to dry without a dressing and they're unlikely to scar.

[GoneBeyondRepair]

breaking open the disposible razors is how i first started useing razors also. ive never done it on my stomache, but i clean my cuts wither hydrogen peroxide up to five times a day while theyre healing. also after a few days or so, once its really started healing, i rub some lotion on them to help with the itching as it heals. as for cleaning the blades, i clean those in the peroxide as well, then wash them off in some water. i dont use band-aids either, unless they happen to bleed for more than a few minutes. im not too sure about the pool, because i havent swum in around two years but i imajine it might sting a bit at first, due to the clorine, but im not too entirely sure. hope this might help

[crazy.daisy]

Guys, please dont cut...

[The_Princess]

Although I strongly dis agree with the use of razors, I'd rather that you get the right advice so that you do not get an infection or anything. I, myself, never use anything on the cuts I have gotten (mostly on my wrist) However, peroxide will help to clean the cut(s). You don't have to put a bandage on it, but if you decide to, do not put the sticky part anywhere on the cut itself. If it heals under there, and you take off the bandage, it may rip off the formed scab. (And it will hurt like a bitch) Uhm...for the razor, you could maybe use peroxide as well. If you plan to re-use the razor, don't put anything on it that you wouldn't put into a cut. (Ex: Rubbing Alcohol= big mistake!) I think that gets all your questions

If you plan to keep doing this, be very very careful!! Keep in mind that razor blades are a lot sharper than scissors, so make sure your hand doesn't slip.....and btw try not to! I don't wanna find out you died because of something so stupid!!! (But feel free to PM me if you ever have questions or additional advice. I'm very experienced in these matters)

[jaii]

when they are fresh, hold a clean bandage on them until the blood stops, clean it with warm, un soapy water,
put some savlon and germoline on them, change plasters/bandaids every day and whilst doing this clean them and put more savlon and germoline on them

[Total Light Storm]

Originally Posted by Peace And Love

i broke open a disposable razor and took out a blade. its small but it worked. it was the first time ive used something besides scissors, for time i had a cut bleed (im a wimp with the scissors lol) i cut on my stomach. a few short shallow lines, but they did bleed a little, so enough for that. my questions are actually -

how should i clean cuts? i put some peroxide on them but idk if i should have done something else.

does it hurt them to go into a pool? my shirt over them didnt hurt the next morning at all, but im not sure about a swimsuit and water with chlorine.

should i put a bandaid on them when they are fresh cuts?

whats a good way to clean the razor? (it wasnt all that clean, it had been used like once, and had a bit of a dirty spot. nothing i was worried about though)

telling me not to cut really wont do much of anything, all i need to know is how to do it without getting an infection or causing more healing time. thankss...

Hi,

I think the suggestions to use bandaids and peroxide are very helpful though i don't put anything on my cuts and usually let them bleed until they stop or I take some paper towel and I apply pressure to the cut until it stops bleeding because applying pressure helps slow down the bleeding. It can hurt a bit depending on how deep the cut is.
I can't say I'm sure about going in to the pool with fresh cuts, I don't have really anywhere or any oppurtunity to swim where I live so I have no idea how chlorine will affect the cuts.
I think whether or not you put on a bandaid depends on the severity of the cut and if you're willing to leave it exposed. I never use bandaids myself, but if you have them and if you need them, use them.
I have a few tips about the razor make sure it's your own razor, using a random razor you find in the bathroom can be a bad idea because you don't know whose it is and if someone might somehow give you something from the razor, also, there's the chance of bacteria getting into your cuts. What I usually do is use a razor and keep the little plastic cover that goes over the blade, that way when I cut, I can clean the blade and then I can put the cover back on it so that nothing gets in the razor and so that it can stay relatively clean. I wouldn't recommend taking the razor apart, that can be very dangerous because even though the blades are small, they're really sharp.
And one last thing, though you can't see it now, you can stop cutting, it's definitely not easy, but it's possible and when you're ready to stop cutting or for alternatives, everyone here on TH will be here to support you and help you.
Take care and I hope I've helped. If you ever need anything, you can PM me and I'll be glad to help.

[Hallelujah]

Hmm, as the above poster said, you don't necessarily have to cover them, but you must make sure you disinfect them - and a dressing would help prevent infection, but IS optional. Just remember, the more care you take, the less it will scar.

Another thing to bear in mind is that new razor blades are incredibly sharp. It might not seem like it, but the slightest amount of pressure can cause damage, and they can go very deep without you knowing. Please be very, very careful, and - I don't know if I'm allowed to post this :/ [Please delete if not, sorry] - but if you must cut with a razor blade, try not to do it over areas where veins are prominent, and if you're in ANY doubt at all, get yourself to a hospital.

We can't tell you to stop, because it isn't that easy, we all know that, but we can at least ask you to try to be safe.