What kind of razor to shave my head?

[jmb0230]

Okay, so I'm not a bald guy.  Or a guy.  These things happen.  I recently started chemo and my hair is falling out, not altogether but in random small patches.  If my hair was longer, it wouldn't be an issue, but seeing as I shaved my head this year for St. Baldrick's (cue the irony), the patches are very noticeable.  I'm looking to shave my head as close to the scalp as possible to make the patches less obvious, and keep it shaved throughout the duration of my treatment (6 months).  I have terrible eye hand coordination and will probably slice my head open with a regular razor, so I was thinking an electric one?  Should I be looking for the type found at a barber shop, or more of a "beard" type razor?  I know nothing about them, so I apologize is this is a silly question.

Thanks, gents!

[slymyke]

jmb, I would get an inexpensive electric hair trimmer at Target or Walmart.  They will come with a selection of guards for different hair lengths.   You can start out with a short one and go shorter if you think it isn't blending enough.   If the shortest guard still doesn't blend enough, you can take the guard off and carefully use it without the guard.  (This is not as hard as it sounds).   

Good luck to you...

-Mike

[Magoo]

I agree with slymke use a regular hair trimer. They are also cheaper than a shaver,and good luck with the chemo.

[FoiledAgain]

JMB0230, First let me express my best hopes and wishes for the success of your treatments. In response to your question, I can offer the following:

Below is a link for a very inexpensive electric shaver I have been using to shave my head. It works great, is water washable and can be used wet or dry, although I get my best shaves by simply wetting my hands with water, rubbing it on my head and then shaving. You can add more water or even a few drops of olive oil mixed with the water for a super smooth shave which also helps with moisturizing your head. The shaver works on AA batteries (I use Sanyo Eneloops).  If you wet your scalp prior to shaving, you may need to rinse the shaver under water a few times during the shave to prevent the blades from clogging. It also works very well completely dry. I've never tried, but I bet it would also work well for shaving your legs (if you do that).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof-Electric-Shaver-Groomer-Pop-Up-Trimmer-w-Shave-Cover-Brush-/350705592436?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item51a7aea874

The same shaver can be found on Amazon for slightly more money:

http://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-ELSHAV-Mitaki-Japan%C2%AE/dp/B005LR44RW

You will need to shave your head with a trimmer or blade first to get it short. Electric shavers generally only work on shorter stubble type hair. You will then need to shave your head every two or three days to keep it short. This is true with any electric shaver. If you buy the shaver above, it has an integrated trimmer on the side for longer hairs. Don't press too hard when shaving or you may irritate your skin.