Going to barber for first shave? + a few other questions

[Chief86]

Hey guys... I've decided to pull the trigger this week.

*TLDR: Should I head to the barber for my first shave? If not what do you recommend... want to avoid complications/razor burn etc as much as possible*

I recall reading a few times that guys said it was a good idea to get your first shave done at the barber rather than by yourself. I think this sounds like a pretty good idea but I'd love to hear some input!

I can count the number of times I've cleanly shaven my face on my toes and fingers so I'm not too great at it... I figure the barber doing it first would eliminate the possibility of some of the things that could go wrong.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about bumps or razor burn etc etc. I do have a dry scalp as is but I generally keep it under control.

SO.... after reading many posts and reviews I purchased a headblade and many of their assorted pre-post shave products... I should be primed for MY first shave the morning after.


I would honestly go to the barber today after work but I would hate to head home from it thinking "sh*t.. I should have made a post on SBG and waited for a few replies before doing this"
Any other "First time" tips are welcome! I know nothing ever goes 100% as planned or 100% smoothly but I would like to do my due diligence and eliminate any errors I can for this transition.


Have at me!
And as always.. thx for the help =)


P.S. Guess I'll go make one of those 30 day beginner posts... I'll take a few before (with whats left of my hair) shots so that we can all see the difference... I'll edit with a link once I'm done.

-Chief

[Paul the Headblader]

Hey, Chief.
I did the same thing.
I've had a buzzed haircut for like 2 weeks (with no guard), to get used to the "wow's" from people.
Then, someday, I went to the barbershop, I asked for a headshave, I paid attention on what that guy did there, and I did the same the other day at home. Of course, I've had the SBG advices, I also asked help on this awesome forum, and with all that being said, I'm bald by choice, and I shave since like 2 months .
It's good you asked for help here, we're here for that
Oh, and, don't worry about "how will I look", "what will other say", or "will it be harsh? will I cut myself like hell?!", it's just in your mind.
I'm sure you'll get through this well
best luck, and tell us how it went

[Slynito]

Going to a barber first sounds like a good idea although I didn't do it. And I didn't use a Head Blade the first trip out of the barn. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I liked.

[Chief86]

Thx rock! Ya I'm going to a lot of wows in between having a regular sales call route of over 30 diff stores all with people recognize me... A regular pub I go to once a week... And a church I'm quite active in every sunday... Heh it'll be stange. I'm going from having quite a bit of hair to straight bald too!

@sly really?? What do you have against the HB? Why not recommend for first time?? It doesn't seem like it requires any advanced skill over a normal razor..

[Slynito]

Thx rock! Ya I'm going to a lot of wows in between having a regular sales call route of over 30 diff stores all with people recognize me... A regular pub I go to once a week... And a church I'm quite active in every sunday... Heh it'll be stange. I'm going from having quite a bit of hair to straight bald too!

@sly really?? What do you have against the HB? Why not recommend for first time?? It doesn't seem like it requires any advanced skill over a normal razor..

Well Chief, I'm not a big fan of the Head Blade, but I have used one. I am just saying that it has a learning curve and takes some practice. I am glad that I didn't do it the first time. I think others will agree. Good Luck!

[Laser Man]

I had a barber buzz me down, then I shaved smooth.  I started with a HeadBlade and managed pretty well, but I did get some cuts and nicks at first.  After a month, I switched to a Panasonic electric and followed it with a HeadBlade to get a smoother shave.  Now I regularly shave with a Gillette Fusion and get a smooth, slick dome.

The main thing is to try different shaving routines and a couple things will happen: you'll get more comfortable and confident with shaving and your scalp will become accustomed to being shaved.

If you're going from a lot of hair to sly, be ready for some suprised looks and comments.  Generally they'll be positive, but you might get a few negatives.  Don't worry about the latter.

[DCdome]

Going to a barber for a first shave will be a memorable experience.  I did it that way myself.

You will probably find that you get a closer shave when you do it yourself, especially after you have some experience.

Feelings toward the Headblade vary a lot.  Some love and some not so much.  I've tried it, but can't seem to get the hang of it.  Currently I use Gilette Fusion.  Blades are expensive, but I get a least a week's worth of shaves from one blade (or set of blades  )

I find it much easier to get a close shave on the dome than on may face.  The cranium provides a natural "stretcher" for the scalp something that cannot be duplicated when shaving the face.

Congrats on your decision to go sly.  You are going to love it.   

[baldsurfer]

Since I'm something of an "on & off" sly guy, I've gone from full head to sly quite a few times.
First time, I did it myself. Didn't even own a decent set of clippers so had to use a beard trimmer, so the buzz down took awhile. But that first time was an impulse and I didn't want to wait for fear I'd chicken out.

Most recently, when the bald bug hit me, I had my current barber do it. He's also an occasional shaver, so he knows how to get it really smooth - which, as I've said before, is a rarity in barber shop head shaves. Left there feeling and looking great. Plus, I really love the attention of other shop patrons when they see you getting a full head of hair shaved off...

[Chief86]

Wow... thanks a lot for all the replies and help guys!!
I had an idea of how swell a bunch of gentlemen you were by reading a number of threads before I first posted..

I guess it feels that much more comforting when you're in the middle of it.


I WAS going to go to my 'regular' barber... but there are a few small issues I see
#1... I totally understand what baldsurfer was saying about some barbers knowing how to do a headshave better than others. I guess I could always phone in and ask?
I've tried 3 of the different guys there for regular hair cuts and I always felt bad when I'd go in and ask for the guy I like specifically. That being said... I'm wondering if I should phone and ask who's the most comfortable doing a headshave... that or just call around to different barbers in the area and ask

I'd really like the first one to be done as well as possible so I can reduce the irritation. I have a touchy scalp as is and I'd rather avoid it looking odd for the first few days/weeks as it'll be enough of a change already.

MOoooving on; I think I'm going to do it today or tomorrow! Like I said I'm ready to take this step but I was waiting on getting some replies for this thread, honestly.

Thanks again gents!

[Laser Man]

Regarding barber shaves, it's a couple of things: type of razor and technique.  Some barbers will use a straight razor and I had one who used a twin blade cartrige razor.  Some barbers are just better at shaving, too.  While you will be able to get a closer shave yourself, it's pretty awesome to sit in a chair, have your head lathered up and then shaved clean with a straight razor.  Yes - other people will watch, too (some discreetly, others not so much).  It's a good idea to call and find out which barber is the most comfortable / accomplished at head shaving.  You don't want the first shave to be done by a hacker!

If you have a sensitive scalp, prepping for a shave is critical.  As others here will tell you, wash well with a mild soap (avoid anti-bacterial soap because they dry your skin), keep your scalp as moist as possible, lather up and shave.  Before going back over any part, apply more shaving cream so as to keep the scalp well lubricated.  When you're done shaving, rinse off all shaving cream, douse your head with cold water (to close the pores), apply a mild astringent and a moisturizer.  Then show off that newly-smooth dome proudly!

Good luck - you are going to love it!  Take it from us - we've all experienced the WOW factor.

[tomgallagher]

Back when haircuts or styles were razor cut and barbers mostly all would shave your face practically everybody knew how to use a strait razor but nowadays not so much.

[Chief86]

Regarding barber shaves, it's a couple of things: type of razor and technique.  Some barbers will use a straight razor and I had one who used a twin blade cartrige razor.  Some barbers are just better at shaving, too.  While you will be able to get a closer shave yourself, it's pretty awesome to sit in a chair, have your head lathered up and then shaved clean with a straight razor.  Yes - other people will watch, too (some discreetly, others not so much).  It's a good idea to call and find out which barber is the most comfortable / accomplished at head shaving.  You don't want the first shave to be done by a hacker!

If you have a sensitive scalp, prepping for a shave is critical.  As others here will tell you, wash well with a mild soap (avoid anti-bacterial soap because they dry your skin), keep your scalp as moist as possible, lather up and shave.  Before going back over any part, apply more shaving cream so as to keep the scalp well lubricated.  When you're done shaving, rinse off all shaving cream, douse your head with cold water (to close the pores), apply a mild astringent and a moisturizer.  Then show off that newly-smooth dome proudly!

Good luck - you are going to love it!  Take it from us - we've all experienced the WOW factor.

Hey buddy thanks for that great advice!
As I said earlier in the post I suck at shaving my face so I figured I'd have trouble with my head at the start. I did buy a bunch of headslick products to try out and see if they help! I have the exfoliating scrub... the headwash pre shave cleanser, the headslick shaving cream(which I read is amazing, comparatively) and the headlube matte moisturizer for after. So I think I'm set on some products..
as for METHOD (i.e. splashing cold water in between end of shave and applying headlube... applying more shaving cream etc) I will have to figure out by trial and error.

But yeah I think I will take your advice regarding the barber. I'll just call in and ask if any one of them is really comfortable doing a headshave... they are all old italian guys... very friendly but I'm not sure how they'll take to being asked. Oh well! backup plan is to phone around

[Laser Man]

If your barbers are older guys, they might be pretty good with a straight razor, as Tom Gallagher mentioned.  Call around and see if they do head shaves.  Only some of the barbers near me do them. 

[Chief86]

Well.. that went pretty good.

I dare say I think I look particularly handsome.

I took some before pics yesterday/today... will make my 30 day beginner post tomorrow methinks.

[Paul the Headblader]

Well.. that went pretty good.

I dare say I think I look particularly handsome.

I took some before pics yesterday/today... will make my 30 day beginner post tomorrow methinks.

awesome move, buddy
share some pics with us