My genetics are writ in stone, and I long ago decided that I would skip ‘balding’ and go straight to ‘bald.’ That day has come and now my head is very cold at all times.
I have a full beard and so it’s been a long time since I did any shaving outside of general shaping and maintenance.
I bought a fancy Panasonic wet/dry razor and am not regretting the money, but I would like to hear about any other products you might use. I am interested in hearing about any pre-shave lubricants, post-shave balms, or combination moisturizer/sunscreen lotions that you might use.
Are you shaving your head or just cropping it in a real close butch cut?
I was a punk rock back in the day. Used the butch clippers sans attachment that my mother used to cut my hair with. It crops down to about 1/8th inch long. I’ve kept my hair that long ever since, even though now there is a lot less hair and it’s pretty grey. I have had to replace those butch clippers a couple of times over the years.
Why bother? I have a fringe around the edges and a full beard below and haven’t touched a razor to my anatomy in over 50 years. I wear a kind of watch cap in fall and spring and heavy tuque in the winter. And a hat in summer to keep the sun off. I go to a barber for a trim (hair and beard) every couple months.
Gillette Mach 3 razor and Nivea Shower/Shave in the shower keeps the dome chrome. Men’s Vaseline fast absorbing lotion on the head after the shave. Dries fast and doesn’t make you shiny. That’s all I need. I have a Panasonic electric trimmer that I can use and do occasionally to keep my hair at a not quite bald level at times but usually I just use the Mach 3 a.
After my 50th birthday, I took a look at the photos of me and my friends and saw that I was a 5A or a 6 on the Norwood Scale, so decided to just shave the rest off. At first I used the same Norelco electric razor I was using on my face, and just kept going up top. That is still my default process - it does a good job for my day-to-day shave. I do use a Gillette blade occasionally if I want it really close - when I started shaving in the shower, the first time my scalp was not accustomed to the blade and I had a number of red spots - was pretty cut-up. That does not happen any more. I did get a HeadBlade which is superior to a Bic (super sharp), and use that occasionally.
I always use sunblock now - a burned scalp is bad, very bad. Use a standard non-oily facial sunblock over my head, ears and face. I think it is just from Target. And hats! Lots of hats and caps. I keep baseball caps everywhere (in the car) just in case - I do not ever want to get caught without a hat. For warmth, I got a couple of Chullo hats on my recent trip to Peru - they work great now that it is getting colder out.
I might mention other hair on the head that needs trimming occasionally as well: ear hair and the brows. Now that the brows are the longest hairs on my head, I like to let them go feral, but the wife hates that look so need to keep them under control. I have a battery powered ear and nose hair trimmer with a couple attachments for that duty.
I take a clipper to my face and head once a week. Maybe I should do it every 5 days in my case; It depends on how long your hair can get before you think it’s too long. I prefer to always have a stubble, stubble tends to look good on men and, most important of all, it’s less work.
The Philips OneBlade from CostCo is turning out to be pretty good. One of the common problems with head shaving is the hair blocking the way. With an open blade, you just need to blow it off once in a while: https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/philips-oneblade-trimmer-and-shaver/6000196125803
As long as it’s an open clipper that’s easy to clean, it should be fine.
You’ll have to work on the technique though which may take some time to get efficient. Your partner can provide feedback and finishing touches early on for the spots you missed.
Whatever you do, you may want to keep your blades outside the bathroom; Humidity messed up the microscopic edge and blunts them prematurely.
I’ve been shaving my dome for the last 18 years. My personal routine is to shave in the shower every other day, roughly. My hair is balding, receding, thinning or anything like that - I just like the look. I use razors from Harry’s. In fact, I use everything from Harry’s - razor, gel, balm. If I’m going to be outside any, the dome gets a rub with Aveeno 70.
As for outside I go with a normal tossel/knit cap in the winter and with a round head I am often surprised its never given me any issues; stays on just fine. Mine just tend to be lined or thicker than usual.
I had a full head of hair, but shaved my head smooth as a solidarity thing when my gf was facing chemo (she ended up not needing chemo, but refused to shave to match me!). Any stubble bothered me, so I shaved usually twice a day for two or three years.
I would scrub my head with a benzoyl peroxide exfoliating scrub, then use shaving cream and a five blade razor to get the smoothest result possible.
I no longer shave. I really miss washing my bald head with cold water on a hot day, and women asking if they could rub my head.
Started loosing hair in my twenties; never wanted to be accused of having a combover, so I started shaving my head once my barber couldn’t give me a proper flat top. For a few years, I used a disposable razor, then I found a “headblade”.They sell them online and I think they still sell them at Walgreens. I shave in the shower and use regular hair conditioner instead of shaving cream. I really enjoy using the headblade; I find that I don’t nick myself as much with it as I did with a regular razor.
I use regular lotion for after care and always carry sunscreen in the summer. As far as headgear, I usually wear a ball cap in the summer and a normal beanie type hat if I’m out in the cold. I have had short hair all my life, so I never really noticed a difference in the winter.
19 years for me. All I’ve ever needed was a Mach 3 and shaving cream.
Keep in mind there a break in period. It may take a minute for your scalp to blend in with the rest of your complexion.
I’d be concerned that scalp care products may prolong that break in period. Or hell, it might speed it up. IDK the science.
Just keep some shampoo in the shower for guests. I stayed at a friends apt on Sat night; three different bars of soap but not a bit of shampoo. :smack:
