Another Shaving Thread... This time... Shaving your head!!

[Odesseiron]

Okay BG. I've searched for shaving threads, but I don't think I saw any for shaving your head. I've come to terms with my Male Pattern Baldness (I'm 29) and my hairline is receding, and getting thinner seemingly by the day. As of right now, I shave my head with clippers using the #1 attachment. So it is pretty short. I never plunged and actually shaved my head bald.

It's inevitable, I'll have to do it eventually. Rather do it sooner rather than later. Any tips for me the first time so I don't fuck up my head too badly? I don't want to cut it up like a mofo.

For a lubricant, I bought HeadSlick which got very good user reviews. Razor wise I am going to use Gillette Fusion. Read it's pretty smooth, and generally got good reviews. Refills are a bit pricey, but that doesn't bother me if it's a good shave.

I went to a couple sites to check out techniques. I'm sure it's just something you pick up with practice, but would like to get some opinions of the BG people. I know generally for the first time I shave my head, I want to get it as low as possible with the clippers (no attachment) and then shower, then lube up, and go for it.

From what I've read, start at the forehead and shave back to the bottom of your neck. I asked a guy at work and he said to shave upwards for the hair on the back of your neck, I've read otherwise though. Also read I only want to go over each area with the razor once to avoid irritation. My skin is pretty sensitive, and I have a very mild case of sebborrhic dermatitis, but I'm hoping that will go away with the head shaving. It has worked for some people.

Finally, what do I want to keep on my dome on a daily basis to protect it, any kind of lubricant or anything?

If I'm missing anything or you guys have anything to add, feel free. I'm probably going to do it this friday, this way it I get any cuts it should be healed or somewhat healed by Monday.

Thanks!

[Zeb]

I use a different razer for my head than I do for my face. Gillette Mach 3 for my head. I shave in the shower (head and face) and use whatever soap (Ivory or Irish Spring) I'm washing with as lubricant for shaving. I go bottom up to top all the way around. You can tell if you've missed a spot just by going by feel. Although I always double check in the mirror after. I've been shaving my head for 13? years now. But as much as people may respond in here, everyone's hair and skin is a little different, you'll just have to expirement and find out whats best for you.

[Trigun]

Make sure to use a moisturizer that has aloe in it. Aloe can sure fire burns, I'm sure it can heal any razor burns and also the moisturizer for the scalp so the skin doesnt peel and become a dandruff generator.

[Tagus]

Use an electric razor. I'll give you a list of reasons-

1. Save money on blades... them shit's expensive if you're planning on shaving it regularly
2. No razor burn after your skin gets used to it, unless u wait too long between shaves (also with an electric the hair may "pull" out if you wait too long, which SUX)
3. No nics, scratches, cuts
4. Fewer ingrown hairs
5. It's quicker
6. No shaving cream getting all over the place

Only real drawback is you have to do it at least every other day or you'll get ingrown hairs, because it doesn't shave as crazy close as a blade. That's just my experience after shaving it for a couple of years now. I don't even need to use aftershave anymore, my skin is totally used to it. Also, however you do it... if you start to see your hairline go at a young age, it's a bit of a fucking morale destroyer. Shave that shit, become a bad ass. It sounds lame, but it's pretty amazing the improvement in your self-esteem that you may find. It will feel/look pretty damn wierd at first, your head will feel cold, etc... but after a week you'll feel awesome, assuming you don't have a mishaped head.


edit: also wanted to add... just read the part about shaving upwards with a razor on the back of your head... that sounds potentially painful. I'd probably suggest going downwards, but maybe there's some guys here that use razors more than me.

[zoobernut]

Odess I am in the exact same situation as you. I am balding, and I have sebborrhic dermatitis on my scalp as well. I hope once I get to the point where I shave my head it gives me some relief from the itchy and flakiness. So let me know if you figure something out and it works for you.

[Jefe]

Being bald don't make you any less than a man. Sure, most chicks will find you repulsive but who gives a fuck. Embrace the baldness!

[zoobernut]

Oh yeah it is more of a thing that my wife said once I get to a certain point of baldness that she is just going to shave my head all the way rather than let me have the horseshoe.

[richardd]

Being bald don't make you any less than a man. Sure, most chicks will find you repulsive but who gives a fuck. Embrace the baldness!

ya seriously. bald ppl can be attractive in an ugly way. look at george costanza

unless you're perm/finesse and have the right head structure for it, i wouldnt want to see any white guy with a mr clean head. it looks fucking horrible

[Odesseiron]

Odess I am in the exact same situation as you. I am balding, and I have sebborrhic dermatitis on my scalp as well. I hope once I get to the point where I shave my head it gives me some relief from the itchy and flakiness. So let me know if you figure something out and it works for you.

Well, from what I've been reading on various posts on a bunch of forums, a lot of people claim their sebborrhic dermatitis clears up after shaving their head bald. Mine is not bad at all, I wouldn't even call it moderate. Mostly because they are no hairs for the pores to block, I think. And on a personal level, one of my managers at work shaves his head and has for about 10 years. He said he used to have SD pretty bad. As soon as he started shaving his head, it cleared up within a week. I'm almost tempted to do it just for that. I don't have a symmetrical head, as Rich says I should but I see a ton of white guys with their heads shaved. I've been told by many many people that I have a good face for shaving my head, whatever that means.

Besides, If it looks that bad... just wait a couple weeks and it's back to normal.

[zoobernut]

Yeah lol. Mine started out really minor just on my forehead which isn't bad because I have a cream that makes it better if it is where there is no hair but then it spread all over my scalp and it is really bad on my scalp and quite itchy so I just might have to try it out next summer after the snow is gone and see if it helps clear up my skin at all. Thanks for the tip I had no idea that it might actually help with that.

[Fhloston]

I also suffer from balding & sebborrhic dermatitis. I'm only 26, but I'm sure the balding will just get worse, so I have been shaving my head (electric hair trimmer, #1) for about 4 months or so...

Well, from what I've been reading on various posts on a bunch of forums, a lot of people claim their sebborrhic dermatitis clears up after shaving their head bald.

Did not know this... Definitely going to try this out...

[Surealistic]

i used to shave my head when i was in high school, i HAD to go with the grain, going up or against the grain gave me horrible razor burn, so i wouldnt be "smooth as a baby's bottom" shaven, but you could only tell when you ran your hand across it

the one time i did shave against the grain to get it as smooth as possible i was called into the principles office as my teachers thought i had some rash or illness lol

[Odesseiron]

Just curious, because I'm going to probably take the plunge this Friday.

Should I shave my head with the clippers first using no attachment? I just shaved my head last weekend using the #1 attachment and my hair has barely grown since. Do I want to shave it down even further and then shave my head with the razor? That sounds like a surefire way to get razor burn

[*Shinzon*]

You know Odess, I've been considering this too lol. I just recently got my hair cut much shorter than usual because I can see my hairline receding and I hate the look when my hair starts to grow back, because it grows back fast but fucking uneven as shit. My advice would be to maybe go to a barber and have him do it for you the first time. Pay attention to the approach and how you feel with it and then do it yourself from then on. Then again I've been going to the same barber for years so I'd probably feel more comfortable taking this approach.

Edit: Also the fusion is a great razor and I use it on my face. I've never had any issues with it and while the blades are a bit expensive, I'll go to costco and buy the big bulk pack and it'll last me about 6 months. I only need to shave once every 3-4 days though.

[Miragemaiden]

Being bald don't make you any less than a man. Sure, most chicks will find you repulsive but who gives a fuck. Embrace the baldness!

That's not true. Vin Diesel's bald and I'd say he's pretty damn sexy.

[Odesseiron]

Well, I ended up shaving it today. Was pretty scary to be honest. I wasn't sure I'd like it, and it's not exactly something you can reverse. To Zoobernut: My seborrheic dermatitis shows a bit right now, but I have a 4 day weekend if I use a vacation day monday. So I should have 5 nights for it to heal up. I hope that is enough time, for it to start healing anyway. I think it looks good overall. A lot of the people I work with said I have the face for shaving my head. I ended up going with the grain, and will probably do it that way a few times until my scalp gets used to getting shaved. (It feels so strange!) And wait a few shaves until I shave against and get the really nice slick look. Will keep you updated on the SD though.

[Ferien]

I shave my head occasionally, and for myself, what worked was:
Same razor as face.
Same schedule as face (for me it's every other day).
Same cream as face.
Replace the blade often.
Against the grain gives you a closer shave, but more chance to nick and for ingrowns.
Most importantly: moisturize with at least some SPF afterwards until you've been doing it for a while. Most aftershaves take care of this for you.

One of the guys in my office who's been keeping his head bald since he's my age suggested using an electric, but I haven't had the chance to do it yet. I could see it being easier and quicker, but the hair on my head and face is very thick, and I've always gotten a closer shave with a razor. Next time I do it, I'm either switching to electric or an old style safety razor, since straight razors scare the shit out of me. Mach3 blades get expensive when you have to replace them after nearly every shave.