Barber cleanup

[bella]

Just went sly tonight and holy crap this is great!

I had a LOT of hair and I still feel like I didn't get all of it clean.  I lathered and shaved my head about 4x altogether.

My impulse is to go to a barber tomorrow for a clean shave to get rid of the strays.


Any thoughts?  I've read a lot about how barbers dont get it close as you do, but I didn't get it all that close.

[slyjoe]

I wouldn't suggest going to get a barber shave tomorrow. Only if YOU want to. I would suggest waiting it out and not constantly shave. Last week I shaved everyday and sometimes twice a day. My head was not used to twice a day shaves, so it was very irritated. Your  not used to shaving everyday. I would give it a while before you start doing everyday shaves. And like I said. Don't constantly shave it like I did last week, or you will get very irritated.

[slyjoe]

But of course I am always paranoid about my head. So going to a barber might not be that bad.. haha. But still keep in mind what I said about being compulsive about this.

[MarkMusicNYC]

I don't know that I'd go to a barber just yet if you've only just started. If barbers are permitted to razor shave in your neck of the woods, he'll use a shavette, which looks like an old fashioned straight razor but is actually just a holder that takes disposable (and incredibly sharp) blades. I don't know that I'd recommend that in the first week of shaving...your scalp hasn't toughened up enough yet.

[slyjoe]

Basically what I said, but nice post Mark.

[Tyler]

I'd just shave again tomorrow.  Have you tried shaving against the grain?


BTW - welcome to SBG!

[VoodooSyxx]

Like the other fellas said, I'd hold off on the barber. The barber is going to go by sight and not by feel. There's no possible way they can get it done as good as you can. Stick with it. Give yourself some time to practice at it and you'll get better and better at hitting up all the spots.

I'd also recommend getting a HeadBlade if you're going to keep the style. It can be awkward at first, but far less awkward than trying to work over your dome with a stick razor.

[bella]

Thanks guys.  Gonna sleep tonight, lather up in the morning, go WTG, then ATG. 

[gutsygirl]

Yes, Bella, give your dome some time to adjust. Some folks are more sensitive than others but I know for me that shaving more than once every 2 days gives me a lot more irritation. I often shave WTG to avoid irritation and it works well for me. :-)

GutsyGirl

[Gary~]

I am a definite with the grain fan. It true that it doesn't get as close but it much quicker, places less wear on the blades and is reputedly less irritating. It still gets close enough so that if you rub your hand WTG it feels completely smooth but ATG if feels slightly scratchy even straight after shaving. I like this -- I can get to choose which way I want it to feel depending upon how I move my hand.

Another advantage it that the next day it is long enough to easily justify another shave -- and this is a pleasurable activity.

Well done on not cutting up your scalp on your first try -- you did better than me and many on this board.

Spend that barber money on HeadBlade supplies. You never need to go to a rip-off hairdresser again -- another advantage in being free from "the tyranny of hair".

[Beardman]

I'm with everyone else here Bella. You'll probably get a better shave if you do it yourself, you'll also get more practice. While you are learning you might still miss places, but after a week or two you'll be getting nice close shaves most of the time, and after 30 days you should almost completely have the hang of it. That's why we strongly advise the 30 day rule. You don't have to shave EVERY day, but if you can it'll help. Many of us shave every other day or something along those lines, it's all about what works for you.

Shaving Against the grain will definitely give you a much closer shave. But you may get a bit of irritation early on, if you do just shave WTG until the irritation goes away. Then give it another go.

[Kevin G]

I pretty much agree with everyone else here.  Shaving it yourself is much better.  Also do not worry too much about having the perfect shave in the beginning.  You are just starting out and you will find that as your technique gets better, you will naturally get that perfect shave without having to make a bunch of passes over your head.  I would also personally just stick to WTG at first and then try ATG when you feel that you scalp has adjusted to daily shaving.

[bella]

A week in now I want to kind of re-explore this topic...

I've gotten comfortable enough with the razor that I am really happy with my own results (save some minor irritation at the crazy cowlicky hair down toward my neck but on the whole thumbs up).  

I think my skin can handle a shave once every 24 hrs but don't plan on pushing it more than that anytime soon.

So why a barber?

I actually knew this barbershop long before I even started cutting my hair short/shaving off parts.  The shop is on my regular dog walk route and when I walk by and the 3 guys happen to be smoking outside, we chat.  (One barber has a dog similar to mine and he insists that our dogs should be "married" and now everytime we see each other he asks how his future daughter-in-law is doing, or plays with her if she is with me).  

I went to them when I started doing more offbeat cuts and shaving the underside and sides of my head and they were soooo pleasant, accommodating, complimenting me on my style tastes, charging me less cos they only cut half my hair, etc.  In other words a 10/10 experience with a personal rapport to boot.

I know they do razor headshaves and I'm just really curious about what it would feel like to have someone else shave my head.  I'm assertive enough that I'd make sure I was comfortable with the razor they were using (and they always asked me my preferences re: clippers and razors in the past).  

So I kind of just want to go to a familiar place to have a treat and get some affirmation in an indirect way (a professional did it!).  I do know it probably won't be as smooth as I can get it.

However I hear all the well-thought out points here:

--How long should I wait before trying this?   A few more weeks?  I've not had any nicks yet but I'm not anxious for any
--Is it really a treat or just overrated?
--Should I wait longer than usual between shaves when I do go?
--Any other items to consider?  

[Gary~]

I've never had a barber shop shave but mostly that's because I'm a tight old bastard.

It certainly sounds like you really want to do it and for good reasons too. I would say go for it as soon as you like and enjoy the experience of being pampered. If you really like the people it could be great.

The only thing that would concern me is the transmission of blood-borne diseases. In many places in the world [as well as quite a few US states] straight razors shaves in barbershops are not allowed -- I have read that to properly disinfect a straight razor takes 20 minutes -- presumably in an autoclave. Not many or no barbershops have this equipment.

I assume that most places use those straight razors that have replaceable, disposable blades and that would be fine if they used a new blade.

If and when you do it don't forget to post a [highly detailed] review.

[VoodooSyxx]

For the reasons you listed, I would say at this point, go for it if you're up to giving it a try. I've not had my head barber shaved, although I've had my face shaved a couple times. Let us know how it goes, if you do give it a go.