Realistic smoothness expectations?

[bbmountain]

I'm very new to head shaving...I am using the HeadBlade Sport (second day of using it) and got my first gouge this morning.  I was preoccupied with something else and wasn't paying nearly enough attention.  Lesson (maybe) learned!
How smooth can someone get with shaving?  It must be different for those that are mostly naturally bald and those that are choosing to be bald?  I have done a lot of reading on the forums here and several times have read "smooth as a baby's bottom."  Mine isn't coming out quite that smooth.  At first the word "velcro" was a good description.  Now it's more like a fine grade of sandpaper (but still clings to a hoodie like velcro.)  Will it become smoother as I master the technique better or does it not really happen for those of us that have chosen to be bald?
Don't get me wrong...I really like it...even  if this is as close as I ever get!  Feels great to the hand!

[Paul the Headblader]

hey!
In my experience, smoothness depends on the blade you're using, the way you're using the blade, the gel/foam you use.
If you want it smooth, shave it twice at the same time ( one process after another), it's the way I did, and it worked well for me ( till I've gained experience, so now it's ok)
I suggest you to use Gillette Blue 3, it's a preety close razor

[Laser Man]

iRock is right - it depends on the blade and the preparation. 

I'm BBC and shave in the shower with a Gillette Fusion and HeadSlick.  I shave against the grain and can get "smooth as a baby's bottom" without any trouble.  The smoothness lasts a good 8 hours before I start to notice stubble.  By the evening, my head is like fine grained sandpaper. 

In my experience, the number of blades in the razor really foes make a difference.  I used the HeadBlade and got smooth on top, but not the sides.  With a Gillette Mach 3, I can get close all over, but it doesn't last long.  With a Fusion, I get very close and it lasts.

My advice: experiment a little and you'll find what works for you.  When you do get the "smooth as a baby's bottom" feel, you'll be hooked forever!

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

Practice, practice, practice--just like getting to Carnegie Hall.  The perfect shave is the Holy Grail--

You might try a traditional stick razor, like the Hydro 5 or Fusion--very forgiving and you get a great smooth shave.  Also, Headslick over a little shaving oil  like Shave Secret or even baby oil-and take your time enjoy the Zen of the shave. 

[valldo]

I agree with all others, practice and the type of blade and razor you use is the most important. Plus your head and skin will have to get used to it. Once you establish a routine you will be fine.
With a good blade you will get that 'baby smooth' feeling, definetely. In my case it lasts for up to 10 hours
The Headblade implies a learning curve, but I'm sure you will master it.

[Hammy]

I've only been shaving for 4 days so I haven't had too much trial and error but have figured a couople things out. I started with the headblade and found it hard to use and didn't like the results. Was unforgiving to my newly sly dome and I felt like the sides were tough to get as smooth as the rest of my head.

For the last 2 days I have been using the Hyrdo 5 razor and love it. My whole head feels smooth and even a rookie sly guy like myself can work it with out taking chunks of my dome. Try it out with your favorite cream or gel!

[Krimson]

I also use the Hydro 5 and go against the grain and rinse with cold water. It also helps when i prep with a scrub.
Welcome to the group

[TxTa2Guy]

I'm BBC for 28 months now, having shaved it first so I could get the tattoo you see at left. I have been NOT shaving a hairy face for over fifteen years.  Some friends had been saying I was nuts for shaving the wrong part of my head, i.e. NORMAL men shave their face and let the scalp hair grow! Well I (GRATEFULLY) have NEVER been very NORMAL.

When I first shaved my scalp (using a Fusion), I found that shaving irritated my skin. But after I had been shaving it for about three months, I let it grow back for about a month but couldn't stand it any more. I LOVE being smooth.

I originally grew my beard because my face hated being shaved. But when I listened to my friends telling me I looked better bald, I decided to try shaving everything above the shoulders.  And my face still hates being shaved and I didn't like the look.  So I grew my beard back and plan to die bald headed and hairy faced!

My reply to those who think I am shaving the wrong part of my head is that shaving anything is against nature's plan; what makes shaving one area "normal" and another area "un-normal?"

I don't like shaving my face because I just can't get it really smooth, particularly my chin and neck, and OMG my upper lip says "leave me the hell alone!"
But my scalp   LOVES being shaved! After a few weeks of regular scraping, I almost never even get a nick. I love shaving in the shower and get the best result there, but I don't do it often because it wastes barrels of water.

I first shaved my scalp using a Fusion and Edge gel. The Fusion works well with any lather, gel, lotion, oil, or most anything that softens the hair and lubricates the scalp without oily buildup.

I tried a Headblade and think they should only be sold with a coupon for a free quart of blood! Shaving should not be a dangerous activity.

I sometimes use a Braun 7 series with Williams Lectric shave but it takes too long to shave and doesn't last as long as a blade shave.

I cleaned out my drawers recently and found an old Mach 3 which I think gives a closer shave than the Fusion. At first I feared the three blades since the gap between them is wider than that between the five blades of the Fusion but I have had no nicks from the Mach 3. I now believe that the manufacturers keep adding more blades thinking we will gladly pay twice as much for the extra blades and be fooled into believing we get a better result. I don't buy that any more. I am going to find a Trac 2 if I can and see if it doesn't give as good and safe a result as the Mach 3.

I nearly died (how about that for drama!) using a double-edge safety razor when I first started shaving and am (probably foolishly) somewhat afraid to try one of them on the back of my head.

All of that said (excuse me for being a bit very long winded, I find some areas are much harder than others to get truly smooth. The top is pretty easy; the neck much less so. A few spots in the "cow-lick" area are particularly stubborn. I believe it depends on the coarseness of the hair and the angle at which it grows (straight up are easy to cut, those that emerge lying somewhat flat are less so). But as your skin toughens up and you learn how your hair grows in various areas, you will get smoother results.

I believe the absolute best after shave solution is Nivea "High Performance Extreme Comfort Post Shave Balm." That is a lot of superlatives, but it is accurate. I get it at Walgreen. After I finish shaving, I rub it all over my head. It feels wonderful, and as I rub it in, I can find and then attack the stubble on those little areas that are not perfectly smooth. The result is a near perfect shave on a slick, shiny dome!

In any event,

I love being bald. And I love being tattooed.
And being bald and tattooed is indescribably FUN!

[KDusk]

I get a really smooth feeling with the Gilette Fusion + Gilette Hydragel, but it never really LOOKS completely smooth, there'll always be a part of my head that looks darker than my face. But touch my head and your fingers will just slip off.

[Stevo]

Is your head staying rough just on the sides or all over?  If it's just the sides, then I'd reccomend turning the HB around in your hand and shaving up around the back and sides, against the grain.  You could also do this with a regular razor, if you have one for your face.  If it's all over then you might want to give some kind of exfoliant a try.