Joining the dark side, since ya'll have cookies.

[Radocontact]

Hello everyone!

I have to admit I've been spying on this forum for the last 4-6 months. When I was 19 years old I notice that a lot of hair was being left in the sink. I started noticing hair on the shower floor. I felt pretty wrecked about it being that I was pretty young. My dad was bald but I always held high hopes on getting my mother's father's genes. Unfortunately, he's 70+ and has a full head of hair. I bombed out at 19.

So anyway, it was livable for the past few years. I'm now 24 years old. I'm currently living in Mississippi but am relocating in a week back to Ohio. I've thinned out quite a bit in the last few years. It was very noticeable. I decided on Labor Day to finally bite the bullet.

My fears that held me back were obviously number 1 being that I'd never shaved my head. I wasn't sure how my head would look. Secondly, I was worried about sensitive skin. I know that my neck and face are pretty sensitive so I was afraid about my head being that way as well.

So, I started the process slowly on Labor Day. First I trimmed everything to a #2. It was just too thin on top to look right. I figured I'd go down to a #1 and it should be decent. Well, as luck would have it, I couldn't find the #1. I found a #1 1/2, big mistake as it started leaving streaks, ha! So, I went bare metal clippers with no attachment. It was absolutely freeing. It took a few minutes to let it sink in but afterwards I felt better than I have in the last few years about my hair loss.

So after a few days I found the HeadBlade at RiteAid. I bought it, hopped in the shower, and shaved it off. It was very difficult to get use to at first. Shaving that is. The first shave was rough. Fortunately, all I had on the back of my head were a few white bumps but no redness. The second shave a day and a half later had a similar effect. This time I tried to add baby oil but saw it gunked up the blade bad. The third shave to fourth shave wasn't horrible but it hurt.

Fifth shave is what killed me. I haven't shaved now in 3 days. I've gotten what I believe is ingrown hairs on the back of my neck. I've put hydrocortizone on it as well as trying liquid gel advil to reduce redness. Haven't tried witch hazel yet. I'm trying to give my neck a rest.

I just picked up Headslick so I am going to give that a try as well. I do plan to continue shaving. Just trying to find out what's best for my head. I appreciate all the info so far and hope to find something to get rid of razor burn and bumps before I make my move to Ohio. Don't want to be slugly (sly ugly - created a new word!)

But I am glad I made the step! Thanks to all the info you guys have put on here!

Pictures eventually.

[Hingatao]

Welcome to the club!

Witch hazel or an after shave balm such as Nivea Extreme Comfort should help with the redness and razor burn. I'll occasionally get a couple of bumps but they usually disappear in a day or two.

[TheSlyBear]

I get the same irritation on the back of my neck if I shave every day. Try shaving every other day once you start shaving again and see if it makes a difference.

[Radocontact]

Thanks for the tips!

I've also heard that once my head gets use to the consistent shaving that I'll see less of it. Hoping that's true!

I think having a hard time with the HeadBlade at first was part of the problem. I think more often than not I was shaving ATG trying to get the maximum smoothness. Too much, too soon I guess!

[Radocontact]

While I'm thinking about it:

Should I let the redness completely go away before shaving again or shave through it? I'd say on a scale of 1-10 it's gone from an 8 to about a 4 now. I know it's tough to answer without pictures.

[TheSlyBear]

ALso you might want to try something other than the HB to start out.

[-Doug-]

Welcome. I'd suggest shaving with the grain for your next few shaves. Also I wouldn't go for super smooth for the first few shaves either. Trying for ultra smooth shaves in the beginning can sometimes mean that you take way too many passes and end up irritating your scalp. That's my $.02.

[Radocontact]

Thanks Doug!

After the first night which I think was the reason my razor burn happened in the first place, I've gone for WTG. Though it was annoying because I could feel what was left on my head, I know that no one could see it. Hell, I couldn't see it being two inches from the mirror.

I really want to shave again, but I'm really worried about making the left over burn worsen. Kicking myself!

[Beardman]

Welcome to the family mate! You've got some very good advice, I personally prefer to shave every other day, mainly because I don't like the look of stubble on my cheeks with a smooth dome and I can't shave my face every day due to irritation.

I know what you mean by the feeling of WTG vs ATG, I couldn't start being entirely WTG, so I just went carefully ATG, and if I started getting irritation I'd just leave that area alone until next shave. It made for a few patchy shaved initially, but I could only tell the difference when I ran my hand over my head.

[medpsy82]

Someone say cookies? 

[Radocontact]

Went out tonight bought the Schick Hyrdo, Nivea Shave Balm, Bump Stopper and Witch Hazel.

Going to give it another day or two to let the leftover of the bumps die down and try again.

[Radocontact]

Cookies are awesome! 

[Beardman]

I double team my HB with the hydro 5, good choice  

That sounds like a good plan, hopefully in a couple of days you can a nice smooth irritation free shave!

[Paul the Headblader]

welcome to the dark side!

[Radocontact]

Btw dude your beard is epic! If only my wife wasn't a pain about my beard