FitzReiter273
Da Mes3hacklab.
Shaving your head is definitely an art, one committed baldies perfect over years of determining the things that work on their behalf. But for the first-time head shaver, quick and easy guidelines can help your first head shave go smoothly.
Shaving your face bald, for some, is really a scenario they've gone through mentally often before actually taking a razor for their scalps. For other people, their first head shave is definitely an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment thing. I'd have to say my first head shave would be a little bit of both. Used to do possess the advantage of some knowledge of head shaving technique, however i basically needed to decipher it personally. A great beginner's guide to shaving your head sure would have been nice. In that spirit, here's a fairly comprehensive outline from the basics, from somebody who has been bald by choice for 17 years.
Be careful
Among the mistakes people often make when shaving their heads for the first time would be to forget that the previously unshaven scalp is very sensitive.
It's obvious to want a wonderfully smooth head right away. I did the very first time. Bald means smooth, and also you desire to be bald. However this may lead the inexperienced head shaver to shave the same areas repeatedly from multiple angles, pressing too hard on the scalp and frequently continuing following the shaving cream has stopped offering any lubrication and commenced to get sticky. The end result could be nicks, irritation and ingrown hairs marring your beautiful bald head the following day. Not good.
Clean your scalp, and lather well
One thing to consider is really a clean scalp, free of dirt, excess oil, etc. If you're shaving your face the very first time and do not happen to have a buddy who's skilled with a straight razor, I'm assuming you've clipped hair towards the scalp and are now covered in hair clippings. Prior to going any further, wash your face with water and soap. Better yet, take a shower. If this isn't practical in your individual needs, a minimum of wipe your head down having a warm wash cloth.
Your next problem is good lubrication. There are numerous good products out there, some especially for shaving your head Some commercial shaving creams are superior to others. I recommend if you are going the canned shaving cream route to get a moisturizing shaving gel especially for sensitive skin. I rather like Aveeno shave gel, with colloidal oatmeal.
Canned shaving cream should still be combined with a shaving brush. Put a generous amount of gel on your head, wet your brush and work that shaving cream to your scalp having a firm circular motion, kind of like brushing the teeth. Come around your head, wetting the comb occasionally. Don't be in too much of a rush. Lathering up is a vital step, and it can be also fun.
Myself, I haven't used shaving cream in a long time. I find good bar soap (natural handmade soap, not your typical Irish Spring or Zest) does a fantastic job. Some kinds of hand lotion are nice, much like sugar scrubs created using skin oils. Personally, i like to use a sugar scrub, which exfoliates leaving a light coating of oil that I just lather right over surface of. I'll enter into scrubs in more detail inside a future post.
Use a good razor
Now that you are lathered up, obtain a razor with a brand new blade. Always use a brand new blade on virgin scalp. I can't stress that enough. You will be experiencing a bald head for the very first time, so don't make it a sore, itchy, reddish one.
I've tried just about every popular razor, and the right one for shaving your face, in my opinion, is the Gillette Mach 3. You will find cheaper razors, there are fancier ones, and there are the ones made specifically for shaving your face, but of all of the options, the Mach 3 is among the most best head shaving razor out there. Its design allows lather and hair to pass through, therefore it requires less rinsing and unless the hair you're shaving is longer than an eighth of an inch, it's virtually clog-proof. And it also seems to provide the greatest quantity of comfortable head shaves per blade than any razor I've tried. One blade lasts me 2 or 3 weeks, and still give a good shave when its indicator strip hasn't only changed color, but simply about worn away completely in the centre. But I am a head shaver of just about 20 years. For a beginner, I'd recommend changing razor blades have sex. When the razor seems to pull or drag or feel whatsoever uncomfortable on your scalp, change the blade. As the scalp gets tougher and also you have more experience at shaving your head, you'll figure out what matches your needs.
Direction of hair growth
There is some debate over shaving using the grain vs against the grain. If you prefer a smooth head, you need to shave against the grain. However, I don't recommend shaving the rear of your neck against the grain, at least not at first. Anything over the ears is generally fine, when you are a little overzealous on the first shave can produce a mess of your neck. It might not be obvious at first, but through the next day it is going to seem like a pepperoni pizza.
What I recommend for any first-time shaver is a straightforward front-to-back shaving motion. Start at the forehead, and shave toward the rear of your neck in nice smooth strokes, trying to not review exactly the same spot more than a few times. You will get the very best and sides nice and smooth. The rear will feel rough should you stroke upward with your hand, however it it's still pretty smooth within the other direction. Do it this way for a couple of weeks, and you can try angling your strokes slightly over the grain. After a while, your scalp will get accustomed to the shaving and you may go against the grain behind.
Always remember that if your head starts to get dry or sticky while shaving, put some more lather on, or at least wet it just a little, to keep that razor gliding smoothly. This is a good time to wet a couple of fingers and move them in little circles on your scalp. You'll feel any spot that you simply didn't get smooth, and you'll know how that locks are growing in. There will be areas that need shaving in more than one direction. The crown is especially tricky, however, you also need to be careful around the hairline, behind the ears, and where the sides meet the surface of your face. Feel when you shave. It'll make the task easier, and it'll keep the lather from becoming dry. With regard to neatness and maintaining moisture, you might want to try shaving your face within the shower.
Care and maintenance
In terms of fixing your shaved head, I've never been one for creams or lotions, however, you will want to avoid obtaining a dry scalp. An oily scalp is more likely to be an issue, as your bald scalp continues to produce oil for any head of hair that isn't there. An intermittent wipe with a washcloth or perhaps a cleansing pad along with your everyday shower is you need.
Time is important. Probably the most convenient time for you to shave your head is most likely each morning, but it does come in a small price. Your scalp swells very slighly when you sleep horizontally, after which shrinks again after you wake up. That means your smooth morning head shave will not stay smooth for long. If you are up for any little while before you decide to shave, the swelling will have a opportunity to come down and you may get a closer shave. Evening is a great time to shave, as you become a really close shave, and it actually feels great to go to bed having a freshly shaved head. But evening isn't usually the time for a daily shave, because it will not be fresh for the following day.
However, it is sometimes a good idea to possess a second shave in the evening if you are going out, simply to renew your head and obtain eliminate that five o'clock shadow.
As for how frequently to shave your face, that's entirely your decision. Personally, I'm so familiar with being bald, I do not feel clean if I have any stubble available online for, and so i like to shave my head every single day. Some people go a couple of days as their scalp gets irritated. I did previously, but it is been my experience that daily head shaving actually conditions the scalp better over time, and keeps it cleaner, thus avoiding break-outs. Skipping days actually seems to increase my chances of skin irritation, razor burn or acne.
Check it out for a while
Another deciding factor for me personally is the fact that I see myself like a bald man, and that is how I want to be seen. In my experience, occasional stubble takes away from my baldness. It is a reminder that there is still the opportunity of hair there.
In the end, you can ask ten head shavers for advice and obtain ten different answers. Shaving your face is a very personal thing, so if you feel dedicated to maintaining a bald head, you'll perform a fair bit of experimenting, that is really the only method to figure out what works for you. But I hope I've given you a place to start.
And also to stray for just a moment from the basics to be bald by choice, there is a psychological and emotional aspect that should not be ignored. Emotionally, that first shave and also the knowledge that you will are bald is an intense rush, but it can also be combined with initial doubt or regret, as well as a tremendous amount of self-consciousness. You might feel just fine, however, you might also seem like everybody is looking at you. Typically, they are not, and that feeling will pass in time. Should you choose decide to shave your face, invest in keeping your head bald not less than per month. You will be much more comfortable together with your baldness with that time, your scalp is going to be accustomed to shaving, and that pale, never-shaved skin tone may have evened out to match your face. And even though you might be tempted, do not cover your face track of hats if you don't need defense against the sun's rays (and you will). Constantly wearing hats will just trap dirt and oil near the most acne-prone areas of your scalp. And besides, what's the reason for being bald if people can't see your bald head?
