Heavy flaking

[g_bald]

Hey wise sly brethren!

I am a regular sly guy who has been shaving regularly for almost 3 months. I've gotten into a routine and really enjoy it. Hot water rinse (or post shower), rub with brush, shave, slick down with a n ice cube, lotion and perhaps a touch of after shave.

Last night as I was finishing up I noticed quite a bit of flaking on the crown. I didn't see any redness or feel any irritation, I wondered if others have had this issue? I got some HeadSlick on and it disappeared. I looked around but it wasn't obvious anywhere else.

The flaking and dandruff have vanished since I started shaving (once in a while re-appearing if I go more than a day between shaves which is rare) so the heavier flaking was a bit of a surprise to me. I didn't change any of the products I normally use and there was no discoloration/rash. Perhaps it was just some skin that needed to come off. Thanks for any thoughts and advice/suggestions!

[Cave Dweller]

Have you been shaving the dome?

If not, then you have not been exfoliating it like the rest of your head. That could explain the flaking.

I have about five hearty hairs up there that resisted the effects of DHT, so I got in the habit of shaving my dome long before I took off the horseshoe.

[g_bald]

Have you been shaving the dome?

I shave everything!

I get a few flakes here and there if it's short stubble, they were much more obvious last night when I did it. It might be the weather, getting cool and dry may attribute some effect. It's just odd that it happened AFTER lathering and shaving. No sign of them this morning.

[Baldstu]

Never had that problem but cave dwellers advice sounds wise

[greatnessinc]

Probably just dandruff, try using Head and shoulders and see if that makes a difference.

[Thebaldnation]

Hey brother! ive had the same problem from time to time, ive been exfoliating my scalp after i shave and that seems to have taken care of the flaking, i know others say to exfoliate before you shave but ive had better luck after the ritual is complete. Ive also been using shave secret under the shaving cream i use, and, last but not least either moisturizer or some kind of oil to make that dome shine. Hope that helps, Bald is always best!

[g_bald]

Thanks my friends! It's odd, it doesn't do it all the time (or it's less noticeable?) when I shave. Usually I can see a little if I have very short stubble, but I don't after a wet shave.

I'll look into shave secret and I am going to look at the Bee Bald line as they have some exfoliation products, one thing I think is an excellent idea. Of course this dry, cold weather isn't helping! 

Appreciate the advice!

[lordmage]

in my case the flaking was the big P aka dry skin aka psoriasis that is. if your lucky you just need to use more of an emollient and less of a lotion. Exfoliating it also a good idea but always last step emollient

[Jay]

Most dandruff is not psoriasis, nor eczema. It's actually fungal.

Yup, that's right. The active ingredient in all anti-dandruff shampoos is an anti-fungal agent.

Try borax (easily found in laundry aisle) with water and make a paste. Leave it on your head for 30 to 60 seconds.

Alternatively, look for a hair tonic with borax and/or boric acid in it. Booster's Hair Tonic (my brand) has it. It's been a while since I used Pinaud Hair Tonic, so I can't remember if it too had borax in it.

[andrewswenson]

For me, I exercise and shower every day, even on the days I don't shave my head, and as long as I do that the flakes stay away. If I have a lazy day around the house and don't feel the need to shower since I didn't get dirty, flakes come back. So as long as you keep the head clean using something that won't strip you of your natural oils and moisturize after, you should be okay.

You also should check your diet and how much water you're drinking. Drink a ton of water throughout your day and stay away from soda and all that crap. Put olive oil or flax oil on your food or in a smoothie to get some internal oils to help keep you hydrated inside-out. Take fish oil supplements to get your omega 3's but make sure it's good quality like Carlson or Nordic Natural.

This is the best you can do my friend. Hope it helps.

[g_bald]

For me, I exercise and shower every day, even on the days I don't shave my head, and as long as I do that the flakes stay away. If I have a lazy day around the house and don't feel the need to shower since I didn't get dirty, flakes come back. So as long as you keep the head clean using something that won't strip you of your natural oils and moisturize after, you should be okay.

You also should check your diet and how much water you're drinking. Drink a ton of water throughout your day and stay away from soda and all that crap. Put olive oil or flax oil on your food or in a smoothie to get some internal oils to help keep you hydrated inside-out. Take fish oil supplements to get your omega 3's but make sure it's good quality like Carlson or Nordic Natural.

This is the best you can do my friend. Hope it helps.

All great suggestions, guys. Thanks for your input. Yes, I do need to drink more water. Thanks for the reminder and perhaps gentle prod in the right direction!

[geeman]

Have you tried a anti dandruff shampoo?...sounds daft but it helps with flaking skin on a bald noggin

[ksshane]

I know.   Kind of bringing back an older thread, but I thought someone might find this useful
I have been shaving off and on for the past 15 or so years, but not until recently did I find this site... So glad I did.
Ive always had issues with flaking, and I noticed in the past I could go about 24 to 48 hours after shaving before the flakes would start appearing again.
After reading a little on this site I made some adjustments to my routine, and wow.. what a difference.


This is what works for me.   Im one of those people that like to keep things simple so there isnt a lot to it.

I now use headslick instead of shaving cream or gel.  But I have been reading about some of the gels in tubes are also good.
Normally I shower while I shave, but Im sure you could shave with whatever routine you have.
So I shower first.  Then I shave using the headslick.   After that I wash head with one of those squishy spunge things.  I think my wife calls it a scrunchy or something. With a dab of body wash on it.
Once out of the shower and dried off I use a small dab of Aloe gel (just the generic from my local drug store).

Ive been doing this for about two weeks now.  Not a single flake, and no acne (I use to get one or two spots of acne on the back of my neck/head about once a week prior to changing things up)

So if your having any flaking issues.  Give this a try.

Good luck and stay Sly

[greatnessinc]

I used to think maybe I just have really horrible dandruff. I switched shaving cream and the type of razor I use, after those changes I have been flake free. My advice, try a different shaving cream. It can be trial and error to find the one that works best for you.

[Goatee]

My father-in-law crushes 4 asprin tablets into a powder and mixes it with his shampoo. Seems to work a treat!