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Whether you want to gracefully accept that your hairline has all but disappeared or you’re aiming to be the sleekest swimmer in the pool, there are plenty of reasons to shave your head.
It’s a bold move that requires precision and patience, butattempting to do it yourself can be an admittedly tricky endeavor. You need the right tools, an open schedule, and maybe a shot of liquid courage to make the jump from balding to bald.
Since no one should go it alone when cleaning that dome, we’ve asked for advice and recommendations from Grooming Lounge’s own Barbers to help steer you in the right direction.
SHOP ALL HEAD SHAVING TOOLS
“I love having a shaved head. I'd rather not deal with hair if I don't have to. I like not thinking about it. A shaved head and letting my beard go requires the least amount of anything.” — Chris Evans
You wouldn’t play croquet on an overgrown lawn. The same goes for head-shaving. Prepare the “groundwork” by starting with a dry shave: using an electric razor to trim hair down to stubble length.
One electric razor we’re always obsessed with is the Philips Norelco Beard & Stubble Trimmer Series 3000. Whether you're looking to maintain a 5 o'clock shadow, keep a bushy beard in check, or "trim your shrubs," the 3000 Series Trimmer is equipped for any and all grooming needs. This bad boy features a sleek, matte black finish and can fully charge in just a few hours thanks to a cordless Lithium-Ion battery. An ergonomic design makes maneuvering around tricky (or sensitive) areas a total breeze.
Always make sure hair on top is stubble at most, as any longer amounts could cause razor-clogging and pain.
“Anyone can be confident with a full head of hair. But a confident bald man — there’s your diamond in the rough.” — Larry David
Once you’ve mowed your hair down to stubble, it’ll be time to prep your scale by washing with warm water and applying an exfoliating scrub. The shower is the best place to start, but if you can’t get to one, simply soak a small towel in hot water and apply to your head. The softer the hair, the less pressure need be applied and the less chance of nasty, noticeable cuts. Try using an exfoliating cleanser that’ll open the pores and “buff down” the skin that causes the ingrown hairs — frequently found close to the neck.
A great go-to is Billy Jealousy Assassin Deep Exfoliating Scrub. This intensive exfoliator’s super-gritty consistency buffs away skin imperfections with ease total ease. It looks like a rich mud but actually makes the skin clean and smooth. Walnut shells and almond meal removes dead cells, while sugarcane and lemon extract smooths and firm your dome.
Then the skin on your head is left toned, renewed, and actually better able to absorb other treatments. If a milder scrub is needed, we suggest Billy Jealousy Liquid Sand or Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.
“I love bald men. Just because you’ve lost your fuzz don’t mean you ain’t a peach.” — Dolly Parton
Just like when shaving a beard, adding generous amounts of shave oil and shave cream are essential. Use lightweight and fragrance-free products, as something with “heavier” filler can stick around and cause oiliness.
Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil is an amazing shaving oil from the oldest shaving company on the planet. Sunflower oil, avocado oil, cucumber, and tangerines keep your follicles super-slick and moisturized, prepping you for a pain-free shave. Before applying shave cream, rub a small amount (three drops should do it) onto your head. Then it’s time to apply shave cream. Obviously, you can’t go wrong with HeadBlade HeadSlick Shave Cream; the absolute best shaving cream for head shavers... bar none. HeadBlade’s slick shaving formula is loaded with special lubricants to give the smoothest head shave possible. The mentholated water-soluble formula keeps your dome cool and refreshed and makes blades easy to rinse.
“Hair loss is God’s way of telling me I’m human.” — Bruce Willis
While some are partial to a Mach3 blade, there are newer and sleeker tools specifically designed for head shaving. From ergonomic handles to easier grips, these products allow deft maneuvering around all kinds of domes. A targeted tool is worth the investment if head shaving is going to be a daily task.
Sophia suggests a razor from HeadBlade, which utilizes a wheel in the back and flex-head to maintain contact with the scalp as it rolls over the tough contours of your dome.
HeadBlade exploded onto the scene at the turn of the century when their award-winning head razor was named a Top-10 design by TIME Magazine. Started by a gent who himself lacks a few follicles, HeadBlade has gone on to develop a superior line of products to help men maintain their domes.
Now you can begin. Start on the side of the head and make short, slow strokes downward in the direction of hair growth.
Once you’ve dealt with the sides and back, move on to the top. To deal with the top, start at the whorl (the cowlick spot on the back of the head) and shave toward the forehead. After one pass, re-prep your head and do a second pass, this time going against the grain to ensure a close shave.
Try and save the thicker patches (such as the coarse hair on the back of the head) for later as this will provide more time for the skin and hair to soften up. End it all with a soothing balm to prevent breakouts or noticeable redness.
This should go without saying, especially if this is your first foray into head-shaving, but use a mirror so you can see what you’re doing.
“My only writing ritual is to shave my head bald between writing the first and second drafts of a book. If I can throw away all my hair, then I have the freedom to trash any part of the book on the next rewrite.” — Chuck Palahniuk
Now you’ll want to make sure your freshly shaven head is primed for the spotlight. If you experience nicks and cuts, in addition to moisturizing aftershave you can also apply an ice-cold towel, which closes pores and prevents razor burn.
Like any shaving sessions, a moisturizing aftershave will reduce irritation and razor burn. Sophia recommends Grooming Lounge's Best For Last Aftershave, an award-winning, calming post-shave product to soothe the scalp. If nicks don’t respond to aftershave, incorporate our spot treatment, The Shavior, by dabbing it onto areas of irritation for quick relief and healing.
The Shavior’s barber-approved treatment provides noticeable and quick relief from razor irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. Effective as a spot treatment, or aftershave supplement, this botanical-loaded lotion soothes and moisturizes; not to brag, but it’s no surprise the Shavior won the esteemed Men’s Health Men’s Grooming Award.
“What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?” — George Carlin
Now that your bare head is a target for the sun’s rays, remember to protect it with hats or sunscreen.
Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard instantly absorbs into a freshly-shaven head providing full-dome SPF 45 protection. Vitamins A,C, and E maintain skin health and sweat and water-resistance keeps your peepers protected from runoff. Whether you’re sunbathing, swimming, or just lounging around, stay protected no matter what you do with that gorgeous bald head. Paraban, sulfate, and fragrance free.
Maintaining a neat and clean-shaven head isn’t hard — it just requires time and balance.
Remember that shaving this area means intense exfoliation for skin that normally doesn't get much, so take your time and use the right treatments afterward. Follow these tips to show off that neat noggin:
1. Moisturize immediately after shaving with something oil-free and lightweight. We said this above, but want to make sure all are listening.
2. Wipe away excessive oil later on, preferably with something that is not your shirt sleeve.
3. Protect that head from direct sun by applying a high-quality sunblock if outside for more than a few minutes
HeadBlade HeadSlick Shave Cream: This water-soluble, mentholated formula keeps your dome cool, smooth, and refreshed.
Headblade Moto: The revolutionary HeadBlade Moto was made for the most seamless head-shaving experience yet. Just fit the ergonomic loop over the first knuckle of the middle finger, and get rollin’ on that dome.
Grooming Lounge Best For Last Aftershave: Developed in our DC Barbershop, this non-greasy and sting-free aftershave is designed to calm and refresh even the most sensitive skin.
