Hope this helps if you are having sensitive skin issues

[gregwyatt]

I thought I would share what has been working for me since I started shaving the dome a few weeks ago.  After my first couple of shaves using a HeadBlade Sport I started getting a few razor bumps.  I came back to this site and read all I could find on the subject.  The following is my routine and what works best for me.  I started by shaving in the shower and after allowing my head to have at least 5 solid minutes of exposure to water I use the Bump Patrol shaving gel.  Before I shave I use the HeadBlade exfoliant scrub and HeadBlade head wash which also softens the hair and preps it for the shave. My first few shaves did not go against the grain at all.  Now when I shave I first shave with the grain and the re-lather with the Bump Patrol gel and shave against the grain.  I rinse for a solid few minutes under hot water then turn the shower to cold and rinse my head under the cold water for a minute or two.  I finish out of the shower with a pat dry using a clean towel and a rub of Bump Patrol aftershave followed by a tad of witch hazel ending with a bit of HeadBlade matte/sunblock.  After two days of this routine my razor bumps are all but gone!  A couple of other tips is to keep a sharp blade (I never use a blade more than three times) and after shaving squirt a little Isopropyl Alcohol on the blade to keep it clean and disinfected. Also, remember when using the HeadBlade to keep a light touch and the wheels (sport model) against the scalp to prevent nicks.

[gregwyatt]

Just a follow-up to the above.  It took my scalp 22 days to completely clear up.  (I know this is very dependent on the individual and some clear up quicker and others may take a while longer) Now I have a very smooth scalp after I shave with no razor burns, nicks or bumps. Once I saw my scalp was clearing I started shaving every day.  Keep with it and don't give up.

[120inna55]

Just a follow-up to the above.  It took my scalp 22 days to completely clear up.  (I know this is very dependent on the individual and some clear up quicker and others may take a while longer) Now I have a very smooth scalp after I shave with no razor burns, nicks or bumps. Once I saw my scalp was clearing I started shaving every day.  Keep with it and don't give up.

I appreciate this follow-up.  I, too, shaved my head for the first time 16 days ago.  I had thick wavy hair.  No male pattern baldness, just wanted to try being bald.  I love being bald!

My first shave on August 21 was with my trusty double-edge.  I've successfully shaved my face with this double edge for years and I love the results.  The scalp ended up being a different monster.  I used clippers to take the bulk of my hair off, then I shaved in the shower with the double edge and mug soap.  While I had no nicks, I did have significant razor burn.  For years, following hair cuts, I'd get bumps and ingrowns at the nape of my neck.  This first shave, of course, resulted in the same.

So, after thoroughly researching this site, I purchased:

• Headblade Sport
• Gillette Fusion
• Schick Hydro 5
• Head Slick
• Billy Jealousy Hydroplane
• T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel
• Sea Breeze Actives
• Bump Patrol Original Formula
• Bump Patrol Maximum Strength
• King of Shaves Alpha Shave Oil Cooling Menthol
• King of Shaves AlphaGel Shave Gel
• Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
• Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil Free Moisture SPF30

Now, no, I didn't use all these products at once. 

The second shave was with the HeadBlade Sport & HeadSlick followed by Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm.

I continued to use the HeadBlade Sport and either HeadSlick or Billy Jealousy's.

After a few days, my post routine involved either Bump Patrol Original, or T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel, or Sea Breeze Actives.  I periodically applied 1% Cortisone Cream.

Because there was no essentially no change in the razor burn, I gave my scalp a rest and didn't shave for 3 days.  During those three days I used Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control wash on my scalp.

Meanwhile my Bump Patrol Maximum arrived in the mail.  I used it for the first time this morning along with the Schick Hydro 5 for the first time.  I used the King of Shaves Alpha Shave Oil & AlphaGel.  I shaved with the grain with the Hydro 5 to knock down the majority of the stubble, but I wasn't really pleased with this razor.  I made a final against-the-grain pass with the Gillette Fusion.  I initially thought there was some improvement in the razor burn, but it's still there.  I may be applying too much Bump Patrol. I have a sticky residue from it.  I do believe it's made a difference in ingrowns, though.

My scalp's probably angry as day one.

Now, I'm going to go rinse my scalp completely and apply the 1% Cortisone cream.  I'll skip shaving tomorrow.

My habits are to shave in the shower with a very warm, wet head. Shaving being the last thing I do.  I rinse with cold water and pat dry.

For those that say "shave with the grain", I really don't see the point.  If I'm shaving my head, I want it slick at least for a few hours. 

Most of my razor burn is on the back of my neck.  I'm sure I make too many passes, but something compels me to keep going over it until it's slick.

2 days from now, when I shave again, I'll try to limit myself to one pass and just deal with the rough spots.  Hopefully this will all clear up.  I've otherwise enjoyed my new baldness.

[Razor X]

For those that say "shave with the grain", I really don't see the point.  If I'm shaving my head, I want it slick at least for a few hours. 

I certainly understand the sentiment, but in the end it all comes down to a matter of compromise.  About six weeks ago I reluctantly switched to an electric razor to see if it would help with the bumps and pimples I was getting on the sides and back of my head.  It has helped, tremendously.  It doesn't shave as close as the blade, and I would like a totally smooth dome.  But in the end, a head that's a little less smooth is better than a smooth head covered with bumps and blemishes.

[Laser Man]

I start by going with the grain on the sides of my head then go back against the grain.  On the top and back, I start by going against the grain, then finish by going with the grain.  Why the difference?  The sides are more sensitive, so the first pass with the grain cuts close without tugging so that the pass against the grain is easier and less irritating.  I found that this approach has eliminated spots and razor burn on the sides.

I agree with Razor X, I'd take a slightly less smooth head to one with bumps and burns. 

[120inna55]

I certainly don't intend to hijack this thread, but I feel compelled to provide follow-up.

The day after my last post here, I developed a pretty bad rash involving my neck and ears.  I'm pretty sure it was a reaction to the Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil Free Moisture SPF30 because it's the only product that I put on my ears as well. I hate that, because it felt good and seemed to moisturize well.  Anyways, 50mg of benadryl and 1% cortisone cream and the neck's on the mend.

I'd been having second thoughts about the whole sly thing because I've wondered if my scalp is just not going to tolerate it.  Otherwise, I love being bald.  Today, things started turning around.

Here are a few things I've learned from my 19 days of being sly:

• A first time shave is probably not going to be perfect.  If you keep going over the same areas multiple times just to achieve that slick feeling, you're headed for razor burn.  You should probably expect a little irritation with a first time shave, especially if you didn't have any thinning hair in the first place.
• Shaving over razor burn will only worsen it.  The only real cure for razor burn is scalp rest.  You can possibly speed up the healing process by applying cortisone &/or astringents such as witch hazel. You should note that chronic use of cortisone is not advised.  With extended use, your skin integrity will be compromised and you'll develop systemic effects such as immunosuppression.
• Maximum Strength Bump Patrol is a miracle aftershave.  It clearly improves razor burn and eliminates my ingrown hairs. I've had ingrown hairs for years following hair cuts in which the neck line is shaved.  Since Bump Patrol they're gone.  I can't speak highly enough about this product.  Again, the Maximum Strength worked much better than the Original Formula.  The difference is that the Maximum Strength contains aspirin and witch hazel.  I was only able to find Maximum Strength online.
• Shaving in the shower is a good thing. I've always done this with shaving my face.
• Whatever razor you use, rinse the blade often with hot water whether it seems clogged or not.
• While giving your scalp a rest from shaving is good for razor burn, the first shave after a "razor holiday" is likely to lead to more irritation, so don't aim for the closest shave.  This is particularly true for those of us with thick hair without thinning.
• If you have problem areas, i.e. areas that are sensitive and subject to razor burn, forget going against the grain in these areas.  You'll feel the roughness, but no one will see it. The following quote from Sgt. Pate has been one of the most useful to me:

  ...Obsessing over a tiny bit of roughness will invariably lead to a cut or at the very least excessive redness.  I've learned two things about this... one, what I obsess over nobody can even see and two, in a few hours I'll have a lot of roughness as my hair grows anyway.

Ultimately, I think I have this thing nailed now.  For me, after trying my trusty vintage double-edge, HeadBlade Sport w/ HB triple head, the Gillette Fusion, and the Schick Hydro 5, the HeadBlade Sport wins by a wide margin.  In my particular situation, the back of my neck is the most sensitive and prone to razor burn, so I have to shave with the grain.  Therefore instead of turning the HeadBlade around in my hand and going against the grain for the back of my head, I simply leave it in the same orientation in my hand and start at the front of my head taking one slow swipe all the way back to the end of my hairline on the back of my neck.  This means that after the crown of my head, I'm transitioning to 'with the grain.'  This also means only one pass.  Seriously, one pass, and the front and sides of my head are slick with only the back of my head having invisible roughness.  I can make the back of my head slick by going against the grain, but it's not worth the irritation.

I'm glad that I've stuck with it, because now it's paying off.  I have an irritation-free, fast, close shave.  

Now, I'm off to find sunblock/moisturizer that won't break me out.  

[120inna55]

...a head that's a little less smooth is better than a smooth head covered with bumps and blemishes.

Excellent advice.  If there was a sticky with concise, short, pearls of wisdom, this would have to be in the top 2.  Those of us who are new to the sly, need to reevaluate our expectations and make some compromises such as this.  Thanks, Razor X.