New to This

[Gabacho]

This is my first posting and I am new to this board. I do not have any hair thinning problems that I am dealing with at this time. I am interested in going Sly and am looking for some information. I know this has probably been covered so I apologize for asking. I went to my barber today and had her buzz my head with a 000 guard as I have been having her cut it to a #1 previously. Looks and feels good but I am wondering how close this really is to being Sly and should I just shave this or go back and have her go closer before trying to shave?

I have light greying hair and am fair complexioned if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for any information.

Gabacho

[Laser Man]

Realize that your scalp is not used to being shaved, so the shorter the hair, the better for your first shave.  I buzzed down with no guard before shaving for the first time.

A really close buzz gives you an idea of the look / feel of sly, but there is still a big difference.  Once you try the fully shaved head, you'll know what I mean.  And I suggest you try it because it's a great feeling!

Some advice for the first shave: get the stubble that remains very moist, use a good shaving cream (not foam), use a brand new blade, take your time and make smooth strokes with the grain first, rinse the blade after each stroke, rinse your head with warm, then cold water, apply a mild astringent, then admire your new self!

 

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

I have light greying hair and am fair complexioned if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for any information.

Gabacho

Sunscreen, minimum 30 spf, UVA & UVB rated--easiest to apply if totally sly--and essential to avoid skin problems like cancer! 

[erikwillke]

While I think that you should go sly simply because you've crossed that barrier where you're now at least thinking about it, I do have one suggestion that may not be shared by others here. 

Keep your head at a 00 guard cut for a couple of weeks.  What that does is helps your scalp get a tan before you go sly.  It will also allow your scalp to toughen a bit before you put the sword to it.  Trust me, that helps.  One of the biggest reasons why men don't go past their first shave is a pretty good cut.

Don't let the idea of cutting yourself scare you.  I would be very surprised if you DIDN'T cut your head the first time.  Don't worry, you'll be fine.  I keep a styptic pencil handy.  You can buy them at Walmart or most any pharmacy.  If you do cut yourself keep shaving but put a finger over the scab and shave around it.  It'll look funny and feel funny but you don't want to keep shaving over the scab, you'll get a scar, and not one of the cool ones.

You certainly don't have to wait a couple of weeks.  I didn't.  I wanted to be clean and sexy right away.  While was most certainly clean and sexy I was also blue, which is what your scalp will look like if it's never seen the sun.  Make sure not to cheat. Don't go tanning.  It will hurt like hell!  Make sure you use sunblock, not sunscreen if you're going to be in the sun for more than 5 minutes at a time.

When you shave KEEP IT SLICK.  I can't emphasize that enough.  Find the slickest shave solution you can.  I use Headblade HeadSlick that I buy at Walgreens.  It does a wonderful job.  Don't buy a cheap razor.  Mach III will do fine but a Fusion will do better.  The Fusion will also drain your bank account faster than an identity thief though so take care of them.

Some suggestions:
1. Shave in the shower at first. Less to worry about, especially if you cut yourself.
2. Do not wash your scalp first unless it's caked in dirt.  You want the natural oils to aid the shaving solution.  This keep a very thin barrier between the blade and the skin.
3. Slow, steady continuous stokes.  Do not make lots of short strokes, especially near the back.  If you shave against the grain (ATG) I recommend one stroke from the hairline to where a Hebrew would wear a Yamaka, the upper part of the back of the head.  Be careful, this is where you'll get cut.
4. Be confident.  Besides jerky motions, you'll only cut yourself from a lack of confidence.  How this manifests is you're half hearted in your shave stroke.  You need to be committed but controlled.
5. When you're done shaving the dome wash it off with soap.  Yes, it will burn the first couple of times.
6. Make sure to close the pores when you're done.  Alcohol-free after shave is a must.  Some guys recommend an ice rub-down as well, never tried it but it sounds nice.
7. Apply some type of lubricating lotion before too long after a shave.  You've just stripped your scalp of all it's oils that were made specifically to protect the skin.

I know this sounds like a lot to remember.  Just think about when you first started driving.  Seemed like a lot then too.  Now it's second nature.  It used to take me 45 minutes every morning to shave.  Now it's about 10 minutes.

Hope this helps.
Erik

P.S. if you dry your razor with a blow drier they'll last 10 times longer.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome and Good Luck!

[DaveM61]

Welcome.  Depending on the clippers used, if your barber uses Oster and if he/she has the blade, you can go down one further step to a 00000.  Not all barbers have that blade.  Most "old style" barbershop will.  That's the closest thing I know of next to going sly.  I think there is even a YouTube out there with a guy getting a 0000 shave/buzz.

Good luck.  Keep us posted. 

[Gabacho]

Thanks for all of the great replies and nice Welcome! I will have my barber go as short as she can then I will as erikwillke says: "put the sword to it"! I'll let you know how it goes, and thanks again. When I figure out how to put a picture up I will show you the final results down the road.

Gabacho

[Laser Man]

Good luck and when you first shave, take your time. 

[mrzed]

All good comments above.

1. There is a big difference in the feel between 000 and shaved bald. Yes.  They look almost the same, but they feel very different. When you shave today, tomorrow morning you'll be back to about the 000 again 24 maybe 36 hours.

2. take your time on the early shaves. You'll adjust soon enough.

3. You don't have to have thinning hair to shave bald. I don't. I love it bald as can be. It's a good look.

4. Welcome.

[mopar400]

Welcome...

And since you've gone this far the next step is easy.

But the feel is a big change....

You'll like it.

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome G!!!

It's simple Dude....... there's SLY, and then there's everything else.

[RoWilJr]

Good luck and welcome to SBG!

[valldo]

The most important is to protect your head against  sun exposure, being fully sly or sporting a buzz really doesn't make any difference here. But there is a huge difference in the feel, nothing beats a clean shave with a fresh blade and a good after shave treatment.
Since your scalp is not used to shaving do it with extreme care and don't force anything, if you feel you're not ok or that your skin handle it give it a rest. Sooner or later you will get there as we all have

[balddoc]

Welcome! Can't add anything to the advice above. Enjoy the transformation to Slydom.

[IllinoisBaldy]

Welcome to SBG