Cutting my own hair and shaving my head

Munro

Premature male-pattern baldness runs in my family, so, at 18, it's pretty much a wrap on the idea of me having hair. As much as I'd like to keep paying $15 a week to keep my hair very, very short, it really just doesn't make sense to dole out cash for haircuts anymore when I'm sure I could cut it myself. I usually get it even all over with no shears, so they basically just run the trimmer or whatever it's called over my head and line me up. I could definitely buy some clippers and do as much on my own, couldn't I? How do I find a good pair, though? And what do I need to do, treatment wise, before and after cutting it so I don't dry out my scalp or cause any other damage?

I also want to try out shaving my head totally bald soon. Do I need a special razor for this? How hard is it to do? Can anyone that has done or does this on a regular basis give me some tips on avoiding razor burn (because having razor burn on my head would suck balls worse than just about anything)?

Thanks.

Doc

You can pick up some clippers for 20-30. It'll take some practice, but it works fine.

For using a razor:
I use a headblade (http://headblade.com/) for the bulk of the work and a Mach 3 to mop up. You might nick yourself a couple of times when learning how to do it, but you will get better with time. Also, you will learn that your hair grows in lots of weird directions.

JWFokker

Just pick up any set of clippers in the $20 range and you'll be fine. There's nothing particular you need to be looking for and there's nothing special you have to do for your scalp, except maybe take a shower to rinse all the loose hair off. I suppose you might want to do it over a sink so you don't get hair everywhere. You will want to make multiple passes though, both front to back and side to side so it's perfectly even and smooth. If you just go in one direction, not all of the hair will get cut evenly because of your hair growing in different directions. You will want to get someone to clean up the back, so you can have an even line going straight across your neck like any normal haircut.

As for going completely bald, you can use a Mach 3 just fine, but you might want to look at one of these. Never used one myself, but it looks good and they're quite popular. Most drugstores these days carry 'em.[/url]

Seattle Thread

JWFokker wrote:

I suppose you might want to do it over a sink so you don't get hair everywhere.[/url]

Note that long hair down the sink drain will clog it. Short hair (like, less than a half-inch) is fine.

Just make sure to plug the sink first, then scoop the hair out and dispose of it elsewere.

Darth Waiter

Since Doc and I are long lost twins, I feel I can give an add-on to the shaving part.

I like to shave in the shower; I don't use shaving gel or cream, rather a body wash with aloe and vitamin D (Lever 2000 ftw). There's markedly less mess, it's a quicker process, and you soften the hairs on your head at the same time.

On the down side, you will go through blades quicker.

blincoln

Pretty much what everyone else has said. If you're planning on using the clippers regularly, I'd recommend springing for something in the $30-$40 range instead of the cheapest pair you can find. I was able to clip my hair off with a cheap set, but after that, the clippers were dead.

I use a Headblade in the shower with Gilette shaving gel, and a disposable for the back and sides.

Theungry

The best advice i can give that is not already present in this thread is that if you want to shave your head clean, you will be best served doing it by feel in the shower instead of over the sink.

You'll get nice and steamy to open those pores up. Rub the hairs against the grain to get them to stand up, reapply shave gel to areas frequently and you'll catch the tiny patches of hair that escape notice from even a few feet away in the mirror. Also, touching your own clean-shaven head just feels good.

crake

Moisturize!

Also, use a safety razor the first few times, perhaps? Just till you get the feel, and then you can start using the others to get the closer shave you've eventually want.

Serpent

Once you get used to shaving your head, you can often dispense with all the gels and balms and yadda yadda blah blah. The main reason to use these is to avoid ingrown hairs and razorburn, but if you don't get these I don't see a big reason to use them.

I use a mach3 with just water. Works just fine. cheap too

blincoln

If I tried to shave with anything less than gel, my head would be a mosaic of nicks and razorburn.

One thing I forgot to mention is that what I do is get into the shower, apply the gel to my face and head, take the rest of the shower, *then* shave. That way there's plenty of time for the gel and steam to soften up my hair.

I also only shave my head every other day, although I shave my face every day.

Like Doc said, the Headblade is great but you will probably nick yourself a few times at first. Once you've gotten the hang of it, you probably won't want to go back.

bigpanda

Headblade schmeadblade. I tried it and hated it. Couldn't get the control I wanted so I stick with a Gilette Sensor Excel.

I shave in the shower as well and use Barbasol because motor oil just gums up the pipes.

King Kong

If you can find a tried and tested actual barbershop (not a fucking salon) you can have em give you a straight razor shave. It's the closest shave I have ever had.

As far as clippers go I picked up a pair at Target for like 35 bucks and have been cutting my own hair years. The trick is getting the spots around your "crowns" right and the back of your head. Best thing to do is just go over any spot you can't see more than a couple times and then just use two mirrors to get a good look.

Doc

bigpanda wrote:

Headblade schmeadblade. I tried it and hated it. Couldn't get the control I wanted so I stick with a Gilette Sensor Excel.

I shave in the shower as well and use Barbasol because motor oil just gums up the pipes.

Yeah, it's not too good for getting the smaller spots or the very back. I just use it for the bulk of my hair.

TychoCelchuuu

An alternative to leaning unhappily over the sink (hurts your neck and clogs the drain) is to just cut over a towel. It catches all the hair.