Shaving and shaving brushes

chrisito · Jul 27th, 2007, 18:24

I did a search on shaving and the general consensus seems to be that most barbers tend to use new blades, which I would agree from my experiences in Bombay.

What about the brushes though? These are communal and can easily pick up blood I assume.... Does anyone have any thoughts on safety issues?... I don't want to get paranoid and I love the shaving experience, but I live here so if there's any risk it will be enhanced. Thanks.

Barryjames · Jul 27th, 2007, 19:31

There is indeed a problem regarding anything the common use of items like shaving brushes, but, there is also a problem with touching door handles, money, in fact anything that may have been in contact another person, animal or whatever.

I suppose the easiest example that I can show is the MMRSA virus which kills many people every year in the UK. And that is contracted in a hospital.

The risk however of contracting anything serious in the barbers chair is negligible (if you are not up to anything else there). If you are concerned, and since you found the need to ask this, I suspect you are, take your own shaving brush with you.

Don't worry, be happy.

~I started shaving in the first place when a girlfriend told me she grew hair on her bum similar to that on my face~.....Me.....

capt_mahajan · Jul 27th, 2007, 19:42

Shaving brushes are shared. But so are scissors... I have no idea about the risk involved in using either. I imagine scissors can be more dangerous, in case they have nicked somebody else recently and then they nick you?

Though I do not get a shave at any barber regularly or too often, the only time I have had a problem- barber's rash - was many years ago, at a five star hotel in Chennai.

johnyoga2 · Jul 27th, 2007, 19:55

Yes, it is POSSIBLE to spread germs via a shaving brush. But, like barryjames said, you are probably more likely to pick up something from the rupees you get back in change. Or from the bottoms of your shoes when you take them off after a morning walk on phlegm street!

chrisito · Jul 27th, 2007, 20:58

I take the points made about picking up germs in many different ways in India, but I think this scenario is a little different- if a new blade is used by almost all barbers because of contact with blood then why is the brush ignored?

Every time that I have had a shave in India the barber does a shaving twice- if he cuts you the first time, then when he lathers up second time, the brush can come into contact with the blood.

Once again, don't wish to be paranoid but I think this is slightly different from using a shared Rs 10 note etc where there is no blood contact. And risk may be minimal, but if you have a shave every day....

Barryjames · Jul 27th, 2007, 22:18

Just quickly: I suspect, since blood contact seems to be your main worry, therefore, the HIV (AIDS) is a possibility in your mind.

Please be assured that AIDS is not that easy to contract, the life of the virus outside the body is a matter of seconds, it is indeed very difficult to catch. Hepatitis B should not be a problem either.

There is a greater chance of getting a cold/flue from the average barber, or to die of boredom from his inane chattering

Don't worry Be happy'

~Life's a bitch, then you marry one~
.....anon.....

IVAN · Jul 27th, 2007, 22:47

So what's wrong about shaving yourself?

SitaParityaga · Jul 27th, 2007, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by IVAN

So what's wrong about shaving yourself?

Nothing. But you do that everyday, no?

I have heard the shaves in India using the straight razor lasts much longer than what you can do at home.

machadinha · Jul 27th, 2007, 23:07

You'll never have been so smooth, indeed (doing it a couple of times like those barbers do certainly helps btw).

Other than that, it's fun, supports your local barber, it's a great relaxation, and it saves you from carrying your own kit, so that's another 30 grams less. Now drill some holes into your toothbrush handle

Dunno about the brush issue btw, never thought about it. Could be a risk no matter how small I guess.

Nick-H · Jul 27th, 2007, 23:54

Phlegm! If only that was the worst thing to be found on the pavements!

Which is one reason that so many people here walk in the road

.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 27th, 2007, 23:58

Just a thought over here...

I guess the shaving foam is soap based...but still is it effective in killing germs or is only good for softening..!!

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2007, 00:01

soap is not particularly anti-septic, unless it is a specific type that is. However, in terms of washing the skin, germs are going to get separated from the skin and washed away.

Familyonthemove · Jul 28th, 2007, 01:43

There used to be a risk of anthrax from shaving brushes .... but I suppose these days that's as rare as an honest Bombay cabbie?

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2007, 02:04

Badgers?

Which reminds me... Killer badgers in Iraq.... Hmmm.....

Nattusbs · Jul 28th, 2007, 02:09

Nick-H

Don't you ever go to sleep? It is past 1am in Chennai when you posted this - no wonder you have the highest number of posts

Cheers

Nattusbs

Jul 27th, 2007, 18:24	#1
chrisito Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 15	Shaving and shaving brushes I did a search on shaving and the general consensus seems to be that most barbers tend to use new blades, which I would agree from my experiences in Bombay. What about the brushes though? These are communal and can easily pick up blood I assume.... Does anyone have any thoughts on safety issues?... I don't want to get paranoid and I love the shaving experience, but I live here so if there's any risk it will be enhanced. Thanks.

Jul 27th, 2007, 22:47	#7
IVAN status unknown Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Croatia Posts: 618	So what's wrong about shaving yourself? __________________ Humor is Freedom Check my Links -> http://www14.brinkster.com/jnana/links.htm cum grano salis

Jul 27th, 2007, 23:07	#9
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	You'll never have been so smooth, indeed (doing it a couple of times like those barbers do certainly helps btw). Other than that, it's fun, supports your local barber, it's a great relaxation, and it saves you from carrying your own kit, so that's another 30 grams less. Now drill some holes into your toothbrush handle Dunno about the brush issue btw, never thought about it. Could be a risk no matter how small I guess. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jul 27th, 2007, 23:54	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,846	Phlegm! If only that was the worst thing to be found on the pavements! Which is one reason that so many people here walk in the road . __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 27th, 2007, 23:58	#11
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,173	Just a thought over here... I guess the shaving foam is soap based...but still is it effective in killing germs or is only good for softening..!! __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Jul 27th, 2007, 19:31	#2
Barryjames Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 93	There is indeed a problem regarding anything the common use of items like shaving brushes, but, there is also a problem with touching door handles, money, in fact anything that may have been in contact another person, animal or whatever. I suppose the easiest example that I can show is the MMRSA virus which kills many people every year in the UK. And that is contracted in a hospital. The risk however of contracting anything serious in the barbers chair is negligible (if you are not up to anything else there). If you are concerned, and since you found the need to ask this, I suspect you are, take your own shaving brush with you. Don't worry, be happy. *~I started shaving in the first place when a girlfriend told me she grew hair on her bum similar to that on my face~*.....Me.....

Jul 27th, 2007, 19:42	#3
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,752	Shaving brushes are shared. But so are scissors... I have no idea about the risk involved in using either. I imagine scissors can be more dangerous, in case they have nicked somebody else recently and then they nick you? Though I do not get a shave at any barber regularly or too often, the only time I have had a problem- barber's rash - was many years ago, at a five star hotel in Chennai.

Jul 27th, 2007, 19:55	#4
johnyoga2 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 62	Yes, it is POSSIBLE to spread germs via a shaving brush. But, like barryjames said, you are probably more likely to pick up something from the rupees you get back in change. Or from the bottoms of your shoes when you take them off after a morning walk on phlegm street!

Jul 27th, 2007, 20:58	#5
chrisito Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 15	I take the points made about picking up germs in many different ways in India, but I think this scenario is a little different- if a new blade is used by almost all barbers because of contact with blood then why is the brush ignored? Every time that I have had a shave in India the barber does a shaving twice- if he cuts you the first time, then when he lathers up second time, the brush can come into contact with the blood. Once again, don't wish to be paranoid but I think this is slightly different from using a shared Rs 10 note etc where there is no blood contact. And risk may be minimal, but if you have a shave every day....

Jul 27th, 2007, 22:18	#6
Barryjames Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 93	Just quickly: I suspect, since blood contact seems to be your main worry, therefore, the HIV (AIDS) is a possibility in your mind. Please be assured that AIDS is not that easy to contract, the life of the virus outside the body is a matter of seconds, it is indeed very difficult to catch. Hepatitis B should not be a problem either. There is a greater chance of getting a cold/flue from the average barber, or to die of boredom from his inane chattering Don't worry Be happy' *~Life's a bitch, then you marry one~* .....anon.....

Jul 28th, 2007, 00:01	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,846	soap is not particularly anti-septic, unless it is a specific type that is. However, in terms of washing the skin, germs are going to get separated from the skin and washed away.

Jul 28th, 2007, 01:43	#13
Familyonthemove Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 274	There used to be a risk of anthrax from shaving brushes .... but I suppose these days that's as rare as an honest Bombay cabbie? __________________ My Journal My Photos

Jul 28th, 2007, 02:04	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,846	Badgers? Which reminds me... Killer badgers in Iraq.... Hmmm.....

Jul 28th, 2007, 02:09	#15
Nattusbs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 332	Nick-H Don't you ever go to sleep? It is past 1am in Chennai when you posted this - no wonder you have the highest number of posts Cheers Nattusbs

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