Introduction

[ravishankarasu]

Shaved my head in support of a friend whose wife is fighting cancer.
I saw some youtube videos and off i went.  I actually went to a barber first, but they wouldn't shave my head, only get
the stubble look of zero closeness. I have an over supply of mach 3 razor blades so that is what I used.
I am a complete noob and was pretty amused when my t shirt got stuck on my head when taking the shirt off.
I am not sure my woman will let me keep the look or not, but she was supportive of the cause.
It would help if I could figure out how to get a smooth top and not sand paper city.  I hear against the grain, but
at this point I have no idea which direction that is for my head.

Thanks!

[jdcsky]

Welcome. You look good in the photo.

Against the grain for me is front to back on top. neck to top on back and neck to top on sides.

Great cause to start your journey and I hope you keep the look.

[warhawk]

Hi Rav:  Welcome to the sly fraternity.  WTG... on your support of your friend's wife.  ATG is the best way to get smooth.  Any direction as long as the final result is smooth.

WARHAWK

[Cave Dweller]

Welcome Ravishankarasu!

I also applaud your reason for going bald.  I sincerely hope it helps her morale.

It would help if I could figure out how to get a smooth top and not sand paper city.

Very true.  My wife has begun coming up behind me when I am at the computer and surprising me with a kiss on the head.  She never did that to my dome when I had the horseshoe.  Completely smooth is a great feeling for her as well, I guess.

I found that the grain of my head's hair, like that of my beard, goes down.  So I shave up.  I use a Gillette Fusion for both face and head.  I can hear the razor when I go against the grain.  It gets slick in no time that way.

I strongly recommend that you buy an after shave balm for your head for the first few weeks as your skin is likely to be very sensitive initially.

[geeman]

welcome, some good advice already, I use an alum block and witch hazel, great for combating razor burn and doesn't leave my head greasy, I have also found that a traditional shaving cream is better for me than gels, and a brush makes a difference

[ravishankarasu]

Day 2 of Shaving. I left a day in between initial shaving and 2nd attempt.  Worked really hard to against the grain.
Results:
1) My overall dome is pretty smooth right now.  
2) I have a small mole that I nicked and it started to bleed.   I didn't even know it was there..or felt it. How do I avoid nicking it now?
3) I need some type of product that will help with my skin conditions like dryness or dandruff so that my head looks nice. Suggestions?

Thanks!


P.S. My better half said she wold give it the 30 days, but signs are not looking up...

[Daven]

Congratulations on continuing the sly look. I had two moles that I did not know where there. one in the middle of the back of my head and one right on the top. I went to a dermatologist and have him remove them because I knew I would not be able to shave effectively with them there. It's a really easy removal and I really encourage you to do it. Otherwise you will keep nicking them over and over and the scalp is very vascular and will bleed a lot.

The mole on the top of my head I didn't think was big enough to have removed so I had the doctor cut the back one off first. I then proceeded to shave my head over and over and over again and nicking it so I actually had him removed the one on the top of my head about two weeks after. It's kind of a pain in the butt because you cannot shave your head for about five days after but it was worth it. Find a good dermatologist and have him slice the sucker off.  It's also a good idea at that time to have your dermatologist take a couple pictures of your scalp. And then go back once a year to have him check it again to make sure no skin cancer develops. I live in Arizona so I'm very conscious of this sort of thing but I also see my dermatologist every year on the week of my birthday to have him check things out.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! Nice gesture in support of your friend's wife....As for your wife, she may come around in 30 days. You have to remember, she needs to adjust like you to the sly look. Glad to have you on board!

[slybeard]

Don't get discouraged by your better half.  My better half was not supportive when I went sly, but once she adjusted to it she likes it and doesn't want me to grow my hair back out again.  Then, about 6 months later, when I grew out a full beard (previously had goatee and mustache), she did not like it either.  She wanted me to trim it very short or get rid of it completely.  I did not give in to the comments.  After a few weeks, the negative comments stopped.  I did get a few evil looks when other friends and total strangers complemented me on the look (sly with beard).  Just today she told me I cannot get rid of the beard, because it is part of who I am, its my image.

For some reason, family members tend to think males should not change their appearance, but at the same time it is acceptable and encouraged for females to make changes to their appearance.  Nonsupporting family member comments are common on this forum.  So give it some time for your better half to adjust, and she will like the change.  The 30 days is not only for you, but for family and friends.

I haven't had an issue with moles, so I cannot comment on that.  As to the dandruff, I and others on the forum had dandruff (or other scalp issues) that cleared up after routine shaving.  Until then, you may want to try using a dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders to wash your scalp.  The dandruff issue should be gone within a week or two of shaving.

[bud]

welcome looks great!