Shaving my head?

urahonky

I'm thinking about shaving my head sometime in the next few months (if/when I lose another 5 pounds or so). I've been George Costanza-ing it up for a while now and I think it's pretty bad to look at now. The thing is that I don't know what I need to keep it looking good. Is there a razor you guys suggest for the initial cut and then something I can use to maintain it? Is there a type of cream that I use to keep it the way it is? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I Zimbra

When I did a blade shave on my head I used Schick Extreme 3 disposables and they worked well. They have a lot of flex to them so they conform well to your head. Using some kind of an after shave lotion is a good idea as shaving tends to dry out your scalp something fierce.

Nija

I have a set of Wahl clippers that I bought about 10 years ago. That is the initial cut. I use a Mach 3 with a shave gel for the actual shaving. I would recommend also getting a small hand-held mirror for shaving the back of your head. Eventually I stopped needing a second mirror and now I do my entire head by fingertip feeling.

Seconding the after shave lotion, depending on your scalp.

urahonky

Thanks guys... Is there anything I need to do to care for it between shaves? Should I avoid using soap or anything like that? I'll probably apply lotion to it each time.

Djeet

I think the most salient decision is either what look you want or level of upkeep you can deal with. I'm not hugely fond of shaved to the skin. Looks fine, if a bit shiny, but feels a bit weird to the touch IMO. I prefer the feel of very light stubble, but it could also be that I think it less a hassle for me to buzz down every couple days with a set of clippers (no guard) on the shortest setting than to shave every couple days. If you do want to shave I've found the more blades then the fewer strokes you need to take to get smooth, though it's more expensive to replace heads. If you don't shave to the skin, then bald spots or receding hairline will be more apparent than if you do shave, if that matters to you.

urahonky

Yeah I'm not sure if I can pull off the stubble or not if it makes my hairline even more apparent, but I guess it can't be worse than I have now. I could always try the clippers way and then if I don't like how it looks use a razor to cut it down close. I'm just worried about my bumpy head and using a razor on it.

I've never used a regular razor before. I've always used electric on my face.

Djeet

Just takes a little practice if that's what you're worried about. Do it 2-3 times in front of a mirror and you'll be able to do it without a mirror by feel. It's way more intimidating than it actually is. In 15 years I've never had a real cut, a few times some patches of razor burn when I was doing it in a hurry.

Sterica

I'd recommend going the old fashioned way. Get a proper shaving cream, a single blade razor, and make multiple passes for a closer, superior shave. Using mach 8 quadruple bladed shit just risks pain and skin irritation, and that's going to be noticeable on your noggin.

Donovan Puppyfucker

I feel that it's a bit easier to cut yourself with a safety razor than it is with a disposable, though.

Sterica

You will more than likely nick yourself when starting out, but you get better with practice and as your learn the shape of your head. Maybe practice on your face first, as it's more flexible and harder to cut.

knitdan

My method:

Take most of it down with a set of clippers and a guard, I use a #2 to start with. Next I'll do what I can with just the clippers and no guard.

At this point I have some head stubble left, so I'll put shaving cream all over my scalp. I'll then go over it with a 3-4 blade razor like Gilette or Schick makes. I start just above one ear and work to the top of the scalp, then do the other side.

After I've scraped it down with the razor, I'll rinse and dry my dead, then go over it by hand in all directions to find any bits of stubble I may have missed, and finish them off.

For maintenance, I just use a bit of lotion with Aloe Vera in it (1-2 times daily) to relieve any inflammation and keep the scalp from drying out.

cncaudata

I highly suggest stubble. A Wahl razor with no guard on it as often as you like - this is what I do. I see more and more dudes with the same haircut all the time, too, and it almost always looks good. And if it is particularly weird because of your hairline, then go for the cue-ball.

urahonky

cncaudata wrote: »

I highly suggest stubble. A Wahl razor with no guard on it as often as you like - this is what I do. I see more and more dudes with the same haircut all the time, too, and it almost always looks good. And if it is particularly weird because of your hairline, then go for the cue-ball.

Yeah sounds like the best starting point is the stubble first to see how it looks.

TychoCelchuuu

Go half stubble, half smooth - left and right, or front and back. Or do a checkerboard pattern.

urahonky

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

Go half stubble, half smooth - left and right, or front and back. Or do a checkerboard pattern.

I'm now leaning this route. :P

Mego Thor

Matching beard is a must.

Donovan Puppyfucker

This is me with a #1 comb on my clippers, and a lack of shaving my face for two days:

Donovan Puppyfucker

And pulling a stupid face, obviously...

urahonky

I'd kill for that hairline. I really don't have a recent pic of myself or I'd show you but #1 might make it stand out a bit much.

jimb213

Rorus Raz wrote: »

I'd recommend going the old fashioned way. Get a proper shaving cream, a single blade razor, and make multiple passes for a closer, superior shave. Using mach 8 quadruple bladed shit just risks pain and skin irritation, and that's going to be noticeable on your noggin.

I'm gonna disagree. I did a safety razor for my face and loved it, but at least for my noggin, there are way too many contours to get a safe, effective shave with old school razors. A mach 3 with good shave cream works just fine. One pass across the grain gets it done quickly, easily, and without irritation (assuming I kept up with it and shaved every 2-3 days).

Having said that, I don't shave my head any more. I use clippers with no guard. I've also grown a beard so I don't shave my face any more, either. About once a week I clean up the edges of my beard and trim my neck and head with no guard, and then every few weeks hit the beard with a #6 or #7 guard.

I'd definitely recommend starting with clippers.

locopostal

i've been "shaving" my head with no-guard clippers for years and years. tried razors, but i'm way too lazy for that. with practice I could run clippers over my head in five minutes. recently i got these Balding Clippers and holy crap do they cut close.

RavynBlackheart

When I was shaving my head (either completely bald or just cleaning up the sides for my mohawk) I used a Headblade, it works wonders once you get the feel for it.

urahonky

Headblade looks terrifying... How easy is it to use??

Hewn

urahonky wrote: »

Headblade looks terrifying... How easy is it to use??

Not hard, but it's entirely unnecessary.

I ordered a ton of off-brand razors from the internet for about half the price of the store brands. They work exactly the same and now I'm stocked up for over a year. Dorco is the brand, if anybody is interested. I use a brush with a shaving puck/lotion. Also very cost effective and gives a clean, smooth shave. A decent razor like this going to make it hard to cut yourself. I've never done it on my skull. Neck is more sensitive, of course. I'd imagine you'd have to put tremendous pressure to do so. The biggest trick is keeping a fresh blade and washing it frequently in use.

If I'm not doing a perfectly close shave, I use a Wahl electric trimmer without the guard to get a nice buzzed look. It's very simple as well. You can get one for $30 I think and they last quite a while. I've had mine for at least 4 years.

Dropping Loads

Use lotion with sunscreen daily! It's easy to forget how much sun exposure you're getting with a shaved head. I prefer this: http://www.niveausa.com/products/mens-care/revitalising-q10/revitalising-cream-q10 but any face lotion with sunscreen works fine.