First Self Headshave Pain

[HappyGoSly]

Hi All,

Yesterday I went to the barbers and had my first headshave. Today I shaved myself for the first time, and it was bad! I nicked myself multiple times and afterwards instead of being excited to rub my smooth head, my scalp felt sore. What should I do next? Give it a couple days to heal or power through to toughen my scalp? I shaved using a DE razor, should I use something else til I get the hang of it/scalp acclimates? I really want to feel what its like to have a truly clean scalp, but this incident has me discouraged.

[Razor X]

Yes, I would definitely try something more user friendly than a DE razor until you get the hang of shaving your noggin. Try a Mach III or Fusion.

[warhawk]

Since this is your very 1st time shaving your dome . . . I agree with RazorX in that you should use a Fusion or Mach 3.  Once you get comfortable shaving with a cartridge than go use a DE razor.  Good luck and keep us posted.

WARHAWK

[AJ Q-Ball]

I concur. Give it a couple of days and then try shaving with either Mach 3 or Fusion.

[AJ Q-Ball]

A couple of days for the scalp to rest that is

[tobler1]

I've never attempted to use a DE razor.  Definitely not the best for starting off.  And, yes, it sounds like you may have done some damage on the dome, so I'd hold off 2-3 days before shaving again.

[Sir Harry]

What did you use for after care? Next time you shave, I would rub my head with an ice cube to keep the pores open and from clogging up. Also, invest in some Shave Secret pre shave oil (sold at Walmart). Mixing a few drops (about 5) with your shave cream, or even rubbing it on your head before shaving will loosen up the hair and make it easier to shave. Bump Patrol or even Tend Skin are good after care products, though the latter might be a bit pricey for most.

[HappyGoSly]

I think I'll wait til monday to try again with a Fusion razor. For aftercare I used Aqua Velva, seriously stung. Thanks for the advice! Hopefully on Monday I'll be smooth and photo ready.

[geeman]

Get your head under a hot shower, soften the hairs, only shave wtg to begin with, let your skin get used to it, I use an alum block, great for soothing and taking care of any nicks

[R o b 6]

I think I'll wait til monday to try again with a Fusion razor. For aftercare I used Aqua Velva, seriously stung. Thanks for the advice! Hopefully on Monday I'll be smooth and photo ready.

Like Razor and Warhawk suggested, a Mach 3 or Fusion are much more forgiving when first starting out. Even a Schick disposable that flexes is great. Skip the Aqua Velva for now. I love it and it smells great but it's pure alcohol and probably irritated your skin the first time out. Hang in there if you are pleased with the look and feel. Doesn't hurt to skip a day in the beginning. Your technique will only get better.

[Laser Man]

Avoid aftershaves with high alcohol content - they sting and dry your skin.  Try something like Nivea Aftershave Balm or Dove Men+Care aftershave moisturizer.  Neither stings and both sooth the scalp.

Also, try not to put much pressure on the razor.  Too much pressure causes irritation.

[Mike E. P.]

I recently took a huge chunk out of my head with a cartridge razor. I was going way too quickly and putting on too much pressure.  I waited a few days before shaving again and shaved around my head wound until it healed!  Lesson re-learned.

Have you gotten back to shaving your head?

[Magoo]

I suggest that for a week or two ,not to shave against the way the hair grows (atg). shave with the growth direction ( wtg) .  This gives your scalp time to adjust to a razor.

[HappyGoSly]

Thanks for the help and advice! I am keeping track of my experiences in a thread on the 30 day rule section.

[clipped]

Welcome aboard. I echo using a Mach 3 or similar cartridge when getting used to head shaving.  I am razor shaving for the summer, having been primarily clipper shaved for the past several years with occasional razor head shave, mostly on vacations in summer.  On the DE, over the past several months, I have switched from a cartridge to a DE for my face - another befit of the chatter on SBG.  I learned to use the DE on my face first (where the terrain was familiar and all in full view).  once I felt that the DE was my weapon of choice for face shaving, I have been more comfortable using it for my entire head when I do razor shave.  It just takes time to get used to it.