Finally Sly :)! But have some questions - page 1 -

• Finally Sly :)! But have some questions by Kevin G on 16 Dec, 2012 01:32
• So I finally decided that today was the day.  I could not take waiting any longer!  I have to be honest though that I was very nervous about doing it but I am glad that I did.  Like some of you said the look is not much different then what I had.(but its definitely better!)  My wife even said that it does not look much different to her.  So thats cool, very little for her to adjust to.  I know that my dad will not be thrilled because he said that he thinks that bald does not look good on anyone.  He has been balding(about as bad as me) and said that even if he had only 5 hairs on his head he would still comb them back.   But to each there own.  Bald is a great look and most people agree from what I see.
  
  I purchased both a Gillette Fusion Proglide and Shick Hydro 5.  I used the Shick because I figured that it would be more irritation free with the "skin guards" on the blades.  I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub then lathered up with Nivea sensitive shaving cream and went to work.  I only shaved with the grain because I wanted the most irritation free shave that I could get at first.  Plus I did not go crazy with getting every single little hair.  I got almost all of them but I have a few really short hairs left that the blade missed.  I did not want to do too many passes over my head.(I did enough as is)  And I tried to not used much pressure like I saw recommended on this forum.  Finally I did the cold water rinse, applied Dickensons witch hazel and finished off with some Nivea sensitive after shave balm.  I got no nicks except on my ear(my fault and avoidable) and it seems like so far I have no razor burn.   
   
  My only complaint is that I have more small pimples on my head then I thought.  They are pimples and not razor burn.  I have been using Cetaphil antibacterial soap but I wonder if I should be using something else.  I also use some benzoyl peroxide 10% as a spot treat ment on pimples which works very well but I do not feel like using that all over my head because it is sometimes very drying on the skin.
  
  So does anyone have any suggestions on a good and easy to use wash and treatment that I could use to clear the pimples up as fast as possible?  Also how long until the scalp typically toughens up?  Is there anything that I am missing in my regimen or even something that you all can suggest to make things even better?  I do have some Headblade Clearhead, Matte and Headslick coming for Christmas.  Can't wait to try that stuff out.
  
  My plan is to shave every other day with the grain and then go to everyday after a week or two.  Super smooth is not important to me as a beginner but eventually I will want that.  How long do you think that I should wait to go against the grain?
  
  Last but not least I would like to thank everyone here for encouraging me and giving me great advice.  You have all really helped me and inspired me to do this.
  
  Kevin
  
  Here are a couple pics.  Sorry for the quality, its kind of hard to take a pic of yourself.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• #1 by Beardman on 16 Dec, 2012 02:04
• You look awesome Kevin, I'm glad you finally took the plunge!
  
  About the pimple, I'd give it a week or so and see if it clears up on it's own. I used to get horrendous pimples in my head, but the shaving helped a lot. These days I just get them along the band of my cap/beanie if I sweat too much and seeing I am a prolific sweater so I still always have pimples.
  
  As for when should you switch to ATG shaving. I could probably start doing that have a couple of weeks actually. By then your scalp might be tough enough to handle it. It all depends on how your head adapts really so just play it by ear.
• #2 by Lynchy on 16 Dec, 2012 02:41
• Welcome mate,
  
  I found that the few spots I had cleared up after the first few shaves.
  
  It looks good on you.
  
  Cheers
• #3 by Frontier Guy on 16 Dec, 2012 05:31
• Sly really suits you ... congratulations on moving it up a notch. (Or down a notch I suppose.)
  
  I'd say 10 days to two weeks is plenty of allow your scalp to adjust and then try against the grain. That's also about the time you'll be more comfortable with the entire routine and it will take less time.
• #4 by bennett11 on 16 Dec, 2012 06:01
• you look great.   I have used the proglide for some years.  I switched to the Magnum M 5 from suggestions here,  Much the same at half the cost.  You will naturally switch to ATG without really realizing it. Just remember don't use much pressure.
• #5 by Andrei on 16 Dec, 2012 06:29
• Congratulation Kevin, nice photos!
  Since everything is still new I suggest you to experiment with some products: try some different shaving gels, maybe different balms. Also, try applying a little less Nivea Balm, maybe that will do the trick.
  With time and patience you will find the best products and flow for you.
• #6 by Laser Man on 16 Dec, 2012 11:05
• Looks great!  Give your scalp a little time to adjust to being shaved - the pimples, etc. will fade fairly quickly as your skin becomes used to its new condition.  You made a good move by not being too obsessive about getting every hair on your first shave.  The smooth shave obsession will come later! 
  
  Don't worry about your dad's views.  My guess is that he's a boomer (like me) and grew up thinking hair must be preserved at all costs.  He'll get used to your new look soon enough.
• #7 by baldjoeg on 16 Dec, 2012 11:26
• Kevin,
  Congradulations on taking the plunge. You look great sly.
  
  You will like clear head. I find that it helps a lot.
  
  I usually apply a thin coat of baby oil on my head before lathering up. I usually use head slick with a few drops of shavers secret. After the shave, I run my head under cold water to close up the pores. I then apply some witch hazel which is very soothing. I also apply some clear head on my head to clear up any bumps. I also apply some aloe vera lotion on my head and then some Headblade glossy lube. That helps give the dome a good shine. I hope that this helps.
• #8 by Switchy on 16 Dec, 2012 13:40
• Welcome Kevin,  You indeed look great with the Sly look.   
• #9 by D.A.L.U.I. on 16 Dec, 2012 13:44
• Suggest, if you're using the creme formulation of the bp10%, try the lotion formulation, much more easily absorbed.  Also, add a hydrocortizone 1% lotion to control redness and other irritations.  Finally, aloe vera, the 100% natural variety also helps the skin heal faster. 
• #10 by Sir Harry on 16 Dec, 2012 20:40
• Congratulations! Looks good to me, in due time you will feel good doing it ATG.
• #11 by OzSly on 17 Dec, 2012 15:54
• G'Day Kevin mate 
  
  Welcome to the Sly Kingdom.
  
  Looking good Brother!!
• #12 by mrzed on 18 Dec, 2012 17:23
• Kevin, your shaved head really looks ideal on you!  You've described a good plan for starters in all points.
  
  In a week or to, you can start against the grain. Don't go too long between shaves, as hair grows. I found out recently when I was not feeling the best (flu), that skipping 3-4 days and I have a LOT of hair to shave off again.  It's easier on day 1 or 2.
  
  Happy to hear that you wife likes it.  It took my wife a while to adjust to the new look, but now she embraces it. If I let my hair grow for just a few days, I feels weird on the pillow at night. Gotta keep it shaved.
  
  Welcome as a new SLY brother, Kevin.
  
  
• #13 by Kevin G on 19 Dec, 2012 04:07
• Thanks for all the encouragement and advice everyone.  As a little update I have shaved everyday except for yesterday and have not got any razor burn  .  I am definitely getting better at it and will continue to experiment with my routine.  I do have a few more questions for everyone here. 
  
  I realize that with my darker hair I will always have a shadow but I assume that when I go against the grain, it will help lessen it?   Also once it gets warmer again and I can get a tan will that help with the shadow?  Where I have a shadow, it almost makes the skin look grey so I naturally would like to limit the shadow effect.
  
  Did any of you have any problems with uneven skin tone on spots of your scalp when you first shaved?  I love the sly look and will definitely keep it but I am unhappy with how the skin on parts of my scalp looks at present.  Right where I am balding it almost looks like real light freckle type marks mixed in with regular skin tone.  I do not think that they are freckles though and attribute it to my really dry skin that I had before I shaved my head.  My scalp looked REAL dry before.  Also I have some sun spot like marks on a few spots on my head.  Some of these slightly raised pimple looking spots are also taking longer then I thought to get rid off. 
  
  Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.  All of you look like you have pretty flawless scalps and I would like to know what you did/do to get it that way.  I realize that my scalp went through a lot of abuse and neglect underneath all that hair.  I obviously had a dry skin problem that I did not realize during the winters and I am sure it got too oily at times.  So I understand that I will not look perfect right now.  But I thought that it would look better then it does right now.  Its not horrible but I want to get it looking real good.  Please help advise me on this guys and thanks again.
  
  
• #14 by Frontier Guy on 19 Dec, 2012 05:20
• Kevin, you've made a lot of progress and should be quite pleased.
  
  For all of the items you mentioned, I suggest you not worry about them. I recall the IBP ("Initially Bald Phase" - I just made that up) being quite fascinating and I was consumed by evaluating my newly exposed scalp with microscope precision. Having survived that my recommendation is ... get a new hobby.
  
  Your scalp is experiencing a totally new environment - air, light, regular shaving. It's going to take a little time to adjust. And it will. And it will all turn out just fine.
  
  You, too, are experiencing a totally new look - and it's just going to take you a little time to become totally comfortable. I don't mean that you are uneasy with the change now, but I'm sure you'll still are taken by surprise when you see yourself reflected in a mirror or window. The real "aha" moment will be when you don't even realize that you're living the Sly look. For me that was quite amazing.
  
  Enjoy your success so far. Allow your scalp to adjust. Relax and breathe deeply.