Shaving it off--soon. Advice, please.

[Bald Hobbit]

Hi, I'm new to the board. I've been wanting to shave it all off for a while(haven't yet) and will be going as Bane from the Dark Knight Rises, for a costume party. So, I finally have an excuse to do so. So I could use some advice.

First--How do I build up the guts to shave my head?

Second--How do I do right? Can I use liquid aloe as a shaving gel, which I do for my face? Against or with the grain? I have thick brown hair, so will that make it more difficult?

[Jigsaw]

hey and welcome.
shaving your head isn\'t as hard as you might think it is.
It\'s good that you\'ve got a reason, one that will keep the crowd.
For the first time, I\'d suggest you go to the nearest barbershop for a headshave, you can also ask tips around.
The rest can be found on this website.

[BaldLuke]

Hi, I bet your costume is gonna look awesome. I recommend either going to a barber and having him peel you down to stubble. Or if you have clippers, remove the guard and just start right in front and run them right back. Do this until you are total sandpaper all over. It's actually pretty fun to do. Then definitely hop in a hot shower for a few minutes, scrub with some st. Ives apricot scrub or I use a cheap nylon scrub-brush and just rub that up top to get all the dead skin off and get the stubble standing up. Now for the fun part, get 3 things you can probably get at any drugstore or Walmart, Shave secret pre-shave oil, head slick headshave cream, and schick xtreme 3 disposable razors. I've used all the razors out there including the head blade(which gave me a really nice gash :-/ none of the other razors have given me the slick smooth pleasurable and comfortable shave that the schick gives. It's the one that comes in multipacks and is teal and black. The razor can form concave to every shape of your scalp. It leaves my head feeling as if there's never been hair on there ever, I've got thick hair like you and this is the ultimate razor, trust me! So about 5 drops of the shave secret, rub that in good. Next a dollop of head slick , maybe just a little water to get it really slippery(you'll feel when it's right) and then take the razor right back forehead to crown, repeat till you are smooth as a peeled onion;) good luck and enjoy the whole process! Have fun on Halloween too!

[waine]

Hey there Chris_John

Here are some basics for a first time shave:

Don't over think it, just do it...like the Nike ad.

If you don't want to go the barber route, get a pair of clippers and shave it down, against the grain as short as possible on the 0 setting.

Wash your hair twice with shampoo and hot water.

Perhaps ask your loved one to do it for you.

Apply shaving soap.  Shave very slowlyand carefully with the grain for the first time with a brand new blade.  There are bound to be a few nicks but it is usually not that sore.

Rinse with cold water and slap some aftershave on.

Then when your scalp gets used to it after a few days, try against the grain.

It is really that simple...

Beware, Sly is addictive...

[stasiu]

For some strange and mysterious reason, Halloween is always a "purr-fect" reason to shave your head for the first time ... and end up keeping it sly afterwards ...

[Andrei]

Welcome to the forum!

Halloween or no, you should still go for it since it's what you want.
Use a clipper (no guard attached) to trim down your hair. You can do it yourself or ask a friend.
For the shaving part you already have enough advices.
Or if you think it's too much, go to a barber.

Let us know how it went!

[theman]

Welcome

[Bald Hobbit]

Alright then. All I have access to at present is aloe, clippers, and a 3-5 blade razor. Is that enough, or is that just a bad idea?

[theman]

Alright then. All I have access to at present is aloe, clippers, and a 3-5 blade razor. Is that enough, or is that just a bad idea?

  Sounds good take your time.  Only bad idea is not doing it.   

[-Doug-]

Welcome. The others have given good advice. Like they've said, just clipper is as short as you can before taking the blade to the scalp and you should be good.

[mrzed]

Welcome. Do post a before and after photo.

Good advice above.

It is addicting! Be prepared to love the new look and likely want to keep it for a long time.

Expect a slight shadow that you will see but most others won't notice.

Any shave cream or gel will work. Even just bath soap if necessary.

[Bald Hobbit]

Also, I have a large skull--24 in. around. Could this affect the way it looks?
The three things I'm worried about: Parents' reaction, razor burn, and shape, in that order.

[nola44]

It took me about a year to get the balls to shave it off. I didn't have much hair left to begin with but it was still a difficult decision. What did it for me was I checked the back of my head with a hand held mirror and say the old man syndrome (kinda like terry bradshaw) and I didn't like it.
SO that was the nail in the coffin for me.
I;ve gotten possitive reviews from co-workers and family so it made it a little easier to adjust.
To be honest, if I had a full head of hair, I would not have shaved. But since it was almost half gone, figured it would hurt and if I didn;t like it I would let it grow back.

[mrzed]

Also, I have a large skull--24 in. around. Could this affect the way it looks?
The three things I'm worried about: Parents' reaction, razor burn, and shape, in that order.

i have a large skull too. Bald suits.

For razor burn just use a fresh blade and take it easy.don't scrape it too hard.

The family will get used to it. See 30 day rule. Do your best to ignore the first 30 days of comments.the listen to the comments.

[theman]

Day 3, hope to see some pics. today.