Newbie here! Head a bit sore from shaving for first time....

• Newbie here! Head a bit sore from shaving for first time.... by slynewbie on 14 Aug, 2012 21:55
• Hey guys! I just took the dive on Sunday night and shaved my head! Went a lot better than expected!
  
  I notice my scalp is a bit sore today still.....which is to be expected from shaving a part of the body that's never been really shaved before...at least not with a razor blade.
  
  My question is....I already have that stubble (had it 12 hours in....hoping to progress to straight edge eventually)...so I want to shave again. However, should I wait until my head isn't sore....or is it OK to shave it again now? I'm just afraid that I'll irritate it more and it will cause a rash or major razor burn. Maybe shaving again now despite the pain will help the scalp build more tolerance?
  
• #1 by Andrei on 14 Aug, 2012 23:30
• Welcome!
  I can understand you're eager to shave again, I know that feeling
  Maybe you should post a picture. It will help us get the right idea of how it really is.
  I think it's better to wait until the sore is gone and then try shaving again.
• #2 by wonderer on 14 Aug, 2012 23:35
• Welcome to the forum!
  Our best experts in a field of hair growth are right now in the process to make a lotion against hair growth  ....jeah every 24 hour hair grows, frustrating isn't it 
• #3 by Paul the Headblader on 14 Aug, 2012 23:35
• hey. first off, congratlations. second, welcome. third, at the very beginning, your skin needs to get used to the changes. after like a week, you can easily shave it daily.
• #4 by Frontier Guy on 14 Aug, 2012 23:42
• Welcome slynewbie ... congratulations on making the change!
  
  I'd suggest waiting until 24 hours have passed before shaving again just to give your scalp a little time to adjust to all the attention it's now receiving.
  
  You might want to post an item in the Introductions topic - like your age, what prompted you to shave, any reactions you've had (or expect) from others, etc. It's a great way for everyone to get to know each other better.
  
  Glad you're here.
• #5 by waine on 15 Aug, 2012 01:25
• Hello there SlyNewbie, and welcome...
  
  The scalp can be very tender after the first shave.  Give it a 24 hour break and moisturize well after the next few shaves.  If you are still having a problem, shave every other day for a while.  Your scalp will quickly adjust as you start to perfect your technique.
  
  Good luck and let us know how it goes...
• #6 by natedraven on 15 Aug, 2012 13:47
• Welcome to the show!
  
  Make sure you moisturize your head to insane levels. If you do that you can probably get away with shaving as if your head was "conditioned". I'm sending you something in a pm as a congratulatory gift.
• #7 by Hingatao on 15 Aug, 2012 15:55
• Welcome to the club. I had the same problem at first. Try shaving just every other day for about the first week. That'll give your scalp time to toughen up and get used to the new routine. Moisturizing is a good idea, too.
• #8 by -Doug- on 15 Aug, 2012 19:36
• First - Welcome! Like the other have said already take it easy for the first week or so to give your scalp time to adjust. I would also add to not go for a super smooth shave the first week so that you don't irritate your head. For the first week a good shave is good enough.
• #9 by warhawk on 15 Aug, 2012 19:53
• Welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  The sly brothers have given U great advice.  Keep us posted 2 your road to slyness.
  
  WARHAWK
• #10 by mrzed on 15 Aug, 2012 19:55
• Yes, during the first week or so, take it easy. Just shave. You don't have to SCRAPE it absolutely smooth. That will come in time as you get used to it.
  
  Some of the more gentle 5 blade razors like the Schick Hydro 5 or Gillette Fusion seem to be more gentle, in my opinion. also harder to cut yourself.
  
  
• #11 by kalbo on 16 Aug, 2012 01:22
• Welcome to the bald brotherhood slynewbie. Post a pic when you can.
• #12 by slynewbie on 21 Aug, 2012 16:55
• Thanks for all the encouragement guys! I'm 10 days or so in and being sly isn't bad at all! I think the soreness ended up actually being more sunburn than from the razor. I just didn't realize it at the time....
  
  Some observations I'd made in the last 10 days....
  
  Luckily, I get no razor burn. I know that's a PIA for some.
  Second, I see what everyone means by hating the shadow. I'm trying to get as tan as I can....I'm pretty dark during the summer so it's going to take awhile for my scalp to catch up I think. I think my scalp has adapted to the sun at this point where hopefully I won't be getting sunburnt much. I've been shaving every other day (or nights I go out) with a Fusion....but the shadow is definitely there and the stubble comes back pretty quick (12-18 hours). I want to get a cut with a straight edge to see how much longer I can keep the stubble off....and eventually learn how to straight edge myself.
• #13 by clarinetguy on 21 Aug, 2012 21:41
• Welcome to the group. You sound like you are coming along nicely. It just takes time to feel comfortable but for me knowing the shave would get me smooth kept me going for the first 30 days. Yes the stubble issue is one we all seem to share in some way. I notice that sometimes it comes back quicker than others. In the close up light you will tend to notice it more than others actually do. I find in brighter light, the shine tones down what others may see of stubble. Moisturize tons and have fun with it.