Taking a day off from shaving

[Razor X]

I used to skip shaving for a day once or twice a week, but as time goes by I find myself doing that less frequently.  I might miss a day over the weekend -- usually if I'm busy working on something and not planning to shower until later in the day.  But more often than not, if I don't shave on a Saturday morning, I'll do it in the evening because I just don't feel clean -- or even human -- until my head is shaved.  And now that the weather is warmer and I'm outdoors more on the weekends, I'm less likely to skip shaving, because suncsreen is so much easier to apply when there's no sandpaper on the dome.

I always thought that I'd become less meticulous about shaving as time went one, once the novelty wore off but I'm finding the opposite to be true.  I just can't stand having even the slightest stubble and I can't imagine what it would be like to have hair again.

Anyone else find the obsession getting worse as time goes by?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Well, I recently wound up with 6 days growth--weird feeling.  It started on a business trip with some last minute changes--i.e. called and told we're "on the road" in 30 minutes, so it was jam suitcase, quick shower & out the door.  Then another day was hectic, and then I began to wonder what's really left up there. Five days later I was kind of obsessed on the "horseshoe" although honestly I doubt anyone else really noticed it.   I took a little side trip and I was going to bring a hat because it was looking pretty sad--to me at least-but I was on a train when I reached for the hat that was still in the hotel.  The whole day I'd see guys w/ smooth scalps, and I would see my reflection in a window or something and I felt out of place.  I don't think I'll try that again--it's not pleasant, not pleasant at all.  That's the second time in a little more than 2 1/2 years. 

[Razor X]

  The whole day I'd see guys w/ smooth scalps, and I would see my reflection in a window or something and I felt out of place. 

That's what always used to happen to me whenever I'd go out without shaving the dome.  I'd see all sorts of guys with smooth scalps and feel inadequate that mine wasn't one of them.

I had to go to a funeral this week.  There was still a handful of relatives that I hadn't seen in a very long time, since I'd started shaving.  This is the sort of thing that would send me into a sheer panic a few years ago -- and would probably cause me to skip shaving for a few days beforehand so I could have a little bit of stubble.  But I shaved as usual that morning.   I didn't get any negative comments, though quite a few people failed to recognize me at first.  The only comment I got at all was a positive one from my cousin's husband who had also shaved his head and grown a goatee since the last time I'd seen him.

[usmcpelon]

Is it really an obsession that we shave everyday?  When I first had to go bald, I panic and hated it.  As day went on, I began to like it and after finding SBG’s I followed the 30-day rule.  It was hard at first, but my scalp got used to the shaving.  I have allowed myself one day without shaving twice and it was painful.  I said never again.  Well I continue to shave daily and I can’t seem to go without shaving a day.  Sometime I do tell myself in the morning that I’m not shaving today but when I see myself in the mirror, I quickly change my mind because it just doesn’t look good without shaving it.

I don’t think of it as an obsession because it’s like the usual daily facial shave.  Being in the business world, I don’t think I would look good with an unshaved head even for one day.  Beside everybody that sees me on a daily basis knows I shave everyday because it is noticeable and I am constantly being asked, “you shave daily right?”  I feel more comfortable in a business suit and a freshly shaved head.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I do hate the stubble in the early evening, but I do stop myself from shaving because it will only irritate my scalp and prevent me from shaving in the morning.  My girlfriend prefers the stubble and sometimes asks me not to shave it against the grain.  For me not shaving against the grain is like not shaving at all.

Shaving our head is just like every other thing that we do on a daily basis and is not an obsession.  We just want to feel and look good in a freshly shaved head.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

 The only comment I got at all was a positive one from my cousin's husband who had also shaved his head and grown a goatee since the last time I'd seen him.

That must have been very, very satisfying.     You are obviously the leader of your family pack.

[BillOnBass]

I just went 4 days without shaving.  That shave this morning was incredible. 

It feels so much smoother if you wait a few days to shave than if you shave everyday, not to mention there's much less irritation.

Plus I'm one of those "delayed gratification"/"save the best for last" type guys. 

[Rob]

I hardly ever miss a day, unless I'm ill.  even then I feel like I missed out on a shave!

[Morthen]

I typically shave every day, but every other day works me fine too. It just takes a bit longer for me to get my desired smoothness

[Razor X]

Did you ever shave late in the day and get an extra-close shave?  It's really strange in the evening to find your head is still smooth when you're expecting to to start feeling rough. 

[warhawk]

Did you ever shave late in the day and get an extra-close shave?  It's really strange in the evening to find your head is still smooth when you're expecting to to start feeling rough. 

hey razor:  yes i do enjoy those "late in the day" head shaves.  usually, i do that on my days off from work.  2 answer your question on "taking a day off from shaving"... i might skip a day once a week but most of the time i enjoy my daily head shaves.  U cannot beat the feeling of a freshly clean shaved dome.

WARHAWK

[Gambrinus]

I just got back from a quick trip to a family reunion.  I shaved literally before I walked out the door to go.  I saw some family that I hadn't seen in a long time.  Plus I believe at the last reunion I must have wore a hat.  Because I got more comments about my head being shaved.  My uncle who is 70 actually told me he wished that he had the nerve to cut his hair the same way.  I offered to do it for him.  He declined.  All in all.  I had two aunts that had positive comments.  And three uncles that said they liked it and wished that they shaved their head.  No negatives.  And multiple head rubs.  I haven't shaved in two days and I feel like crap.  Guess what I will do first thing when I get tomorrow. 

[Morthen]

I noticed when I skip days I tend to rub my head alot. Even though it doesn't show much I hate stubble I don't feel sly anymore and I get that twinge of insecurity I had with hair. I'm sticking with shaving everyday. I HATE the sandpapery feeling. Plus it hurts to shave after 2 days of stubble

[GASlick]

I usually shave about twice a week anyway, usually Wednesday and Saturday.  I figured out that if I have some growth I get a much better shave. 

[darkknight1]

I tend to shave every other day, unless I have a family event or I am going out with friends.  If that is the case, I shave that day.  The longest I ever went without shaving was after I had my heart surgery....that was a long strange trip for sure.  I think I went about 6 weeks without shaving, and it was a pain, because I had to go to the barber to get it shaved down, just so I could break out my headblade.  I guess every guy is different.  But I think now that the summer weather is here, I'll probably bump it up to everyday.  Who doesn't love a smooth, shined up, freshly shaved melon? 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'm much less diligent.  There were periods when I was sly for months on end, and then I'd slack off.  Indeed, I am just now over letting it grow out for about a month.  This a.m. I pulled out the clippers and then the razor, and am smooth for greeting June.  Who knows what the Fourth will see?