Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Trimming Your Head/Hair => Topic started by: cementpizza on January 02, 2010, 10:40:23 AM

Title: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: cementpizza on January 02, 2010, 10:40:23 AM
Hey all! I am a new member here, but have been a lurker for some time now. Anyways, I am 20 years old and my hair is noticeably starting to thin at the temples and at the vertex. About 6 months ago(when I first noticed thinning) I went to the hair cuttery and had them buzz it with no clipper guard. It looked good and I want to do it again, not only because my hair is thinning, but because my hair is nasty in general (really thick/coarse Italian hair)! Any ways I have a good pair of clippers, can I do this little procedure on my own or with the help of my girlfriend? I figured it would be pretty much impossible to mess up :D. Last time all I had left was a shadow!
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on January 02, 2010, 10:56:49 AM
Easy, you can get a clipper, electric--cord or rechargable--at most stores for less than $30.  It will come with guards to set the length you want to buzz your hair.  Attach appropriate guard, run all over and you're good to go.  Can't get any simpler until mpb advances to point you may want to consider a blade for a really close, smooth haircut. O0
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: cementpizza on January 02, 2010, 11:05:01 AM
Thanks man! I have a nice pair of clippers I think they're conair? But yeah I am a little nervous about completly shaving my head! I've been told I look good with a very short hair style (clipper, no guard), but idk how I would look bald, I guess when my MPB gets fairly severe I will shave it though, but right now, I can still get away with the "stubble" look. I have a very prominent brow, and I think a shaved head would defiantly make it stand out more haha.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on January 02, 2010, 11:12:50 AM
The clippers should have come w/ some guards that fit over the cutting blade, generally numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.  Start w/ a 3 or a 4, that's 3/8" and 1/2" respectively.  The keep lowering the number until you get the look you're after.  It's pretty simple.  If you don't have guards, a barber supply store should have them
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: TheSlyBear on January 02, 2010, 05:39:14 PM
I've been doing it for over two decades -- piece of cake!

Just get in the tub (to catch the hair) and go to town. No girlfriend needed (but can probably make it more fun).
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: GASlick on January 02, 2010, 10:49:21 PM
Before I completely shaved my head, I buzzed my own hair all the time.
No problem!
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Mike on January 02, 2010, 10:54:52 PM
I personally have no experience buzzing my own hair. I went from a whole head to smooth in a couple hours. I have a friend that does buzz his own head and often misses some spots or some areas look slightly longer than others. That is why if I ever (which I never will) went for the buzzed look, I would go smooth to make sure its all even but thats just me.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Sgt. Pate on January 03, 2010, 01:55:06 AM
Welcome Pizza!  O:O

Don't cheat yourself out of a great experience... try shaving!  Hey, if you don't like it it'll grow back quickly.  But I'll bet you like it!  O0
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: buddha on January 03, 2010, 07:06:58 AM
With a decent clipper this operation is pretty easy. When I went from longhair to slick I started off with a Wahl clipper with no guard and just ran it over the dome until all I could feel was fuzz. This was not a complicated operation.
I still keep clippers around even though I am now sly. I have my original Wahl and a new Conair Chopper. They come in handy for beard/mustache trimming.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: mangosink12572 on January 03, 2010, 11:42:26 AM
Shave it all the way - - -if you do not like it  - -it will grow back - - -That was my thought when I first shaved my noggin - - - - No way would I let it grow back now  - - -it is wonderful being SLY BALD
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Stu on January 03, 2010, 11:10:25 PM
Did it for a while (very easy) until I couldn't resist going slick and haven't looked back for 5+ years.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: geoguy on January 04, 2010, 01:13:00 AM
Before shaving, I also buzzed myself.  Apparently the conair clippers is good.  Just go for it.

 
Shave it all the way - - -if you do not like it  - -it will grow back - - -That was my thought when I first shaved my noggin - - - - No way would I let it grow back now  - - -it is wonderful being SLY BALD
    I agree with him - maybe do it on a Friday, so, if you don't like it, by monday, its normal (if you buzz) again... 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: mangosink12572 on January 06, 2010, 12:16:27 PM
I answered the other day and since  - -I found a new  Philips NORELCO shaver that I got last year for Christmas  and I tried buzzing my noggin in spots that were a little rough - ( have not shaved since 5:30 this morning ) and it worked very well - -I will try it after a full  day next time  - - - You never know 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Dome of Steele on January 06, 2010, 12:44:51 PM
I buzzed mine for about six months before I shaved.  It's easy as pie.  No real trick, just buzz it til it's gone and be careful with your ears.  Take the guard off completely. 
You can do it in the bath to catch all the hair like Booted Bear said, or you can just do it over the sink like I used to (then just clean up any errant hairs with a wet paper towel). 

Look in the mirror and feel with your hand for any spots you missed then admire your closely shorn dome!
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: jimbo48 on January 08, 2010, 08:09:00 PM
Buzzing your own head is easy and saves you money.  I have been buzzing my full head of hair for 3 years, beginning with a #3 guard and gradually working my way down to a #1 guard (1/8") after the first year. 

About 3 months ago, I wanted to go even shorter, but did not want to buzz without the guard.  Then I found a Wahl clipper at Walmart with a #1/2 guard (1/16").  The Wahl clipper is better quality than my old Conair clipper.  The 1/16" buzz is so short that from a distance, my head looks shaved - it even shines lie a bald head.

Clippers cost $20 to $30 and pay for themselves after 2 buzz cuts. 

Try buzzing your own head.  It is easy.  If you do not like it buzzed, it grows back quickly.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: bairdt on March 18, 2010, 03:41:55 PM
Hi, I just joined up today. I just started buzzing my hair. Using clippers with  guard one on top, 2 on the sides. I am almost completely thinned out on top and was wondering what most guys do when they get in this shape? I am 47 years old and seeing my what was once super mullet hairdo go to nothing is tough...ha ha! Seems bald is in now days, but making that first shave is gonna be rough. Drop down to a 1/2 maybe all over? I am tall and thin. Not sure what I would look like totally bald...but nature looks like I will be there soon!
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: The Noggin on March 18, 2010, 04:05:58 PM
Hi there bairdt.
It's hard to imagine yourself bald, so you should try a no guard buzz. That way you still have hair, but you come very close to look bald. For many (including me) that has been the road to become sly. 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: clipped on March 18, 2010, 07:44:24 PM
My hair sounds similar to yours: real thin on top. I am in my 50s.  I gradually worked down from a #2 buzz to #1.5T/#2S&B; then #1.5 overall; then #1T/#1.5 S&B; then #0T/#OAS&B; now vary between #OA or #0 all around.  Since you're already thin on top, if you're going to buzz, it makes sense for the top to be shorter than the sides & back, unless you just go the same all over. The zero all over will give a good look at what you'll look like shaved. 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on March 19, 2010, 07:10:26 AM
Bairdt & Clipped, consider this, shave it then after 30 days, let it grow out to a length you're comfortable w/.  If you decide to stay totally sly, all the better, but you can more easily control the buzz you want if you start at wood, then find the guard that just keeps it at the chosen length. 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: chaucer on March 24, 2010, 04:30:22 AM
I've been getting my hair buzzed to a #2.  I cut other men's hair all the time but not my own.  I'm hoping to get the nerve to go even shorter and then 'sly.'  I appreciate all the encouragement I've received here but I'm not there yet.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: CraftyGuy on March 24, 2010, 10:10:06 AM
I've been getting my hair buzzed to a #2.  I cut other men's hair all the time but not my own.  I'm hoping to get the nerve to go even shorter and then 'sly.'  I appreciate all the encouragement I've received here but I'm not there yet.

Buzzing tends to draw you in further.  I had done a #2 for a while and then found myself down to a #1.   Then a #1/2 for a (pardon the pun) very short time, and then SLY!
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: chaucer on March 29, 2010, 03:23:53 PM
lol...thanks.  Yesterday I went to a # 1.5...........................
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Rob on March 29, 2010, 05:36:20 PM
That's how I did it too: number 2, number 1, zero, then I shaved.  All along I was wanting to shave it, but then I decided to just go for it ( I was thinking about doing it way too much! :D) so I did it, and four years later I still love it. 8)
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: stemikger on March 30, 2010, 05:20:30 AM
Quote
Posted by Cementpizza
Hey all! I am a new member here, but have been a lurker for some time now. Anyways, I am 20 years old and my hair is noticeably starting to thin at the temples and at the vertex. About 6 months ago(when I first noticed thinning) I went to the hair cuttery and had them buzz it with no clipper guard. It looked good and I want to do it again, not only because my hair is thinning, but because my hair is nasty in general (really thick/coarse Italian hair)! Any ways I have a good pair of clippers, can I do this little procedure on my own or with the help of my girlfriend? I figured it would be pretty much impossible to mess up . Last time all I had left was a shadow!

Hey,

This is my Sunday night ritual.  I am not doing the complete sly look yet becuase my main priority is to simplify my life and here is what works for me.  I work midnights and take a 2 hour nap before I go to work, so the last thing I want to do is mess with my hair when I wake up to go to work.  So every Sunday night I take my clipper without the guard and just shave it off.  It's virtually impossible to mess up.  Just hold the blade flat to you head and keep going over it.  I usually go over my head several times so I don't miss any spots.  I do it by feel.  It is very similiar as if you are shaving your head.  The only thing I'm left with is a shadow.  It looks almost like it would look about a day and a half after shaving completely.  I jump in the shower after and take a mirror to look at the back and if there are any small spots, I just go over them again.  And then I take aftershave and pat down my head.  It feels great.  I now look foward to Sunday nights.

By the end of the week, I have a crew cut, but still have a totally care free style.  I have a full head of hair, but am receding in the front.  If I had MPB, I would completely shave, but until then, this works fine for me.

I'm Italian also, and my hair sounds very similiar to yours, so it is a pleasure not to deal with blowdryers, gels, hairspray, etc.

P.S.  You don't have to spend a lot on a clipper.  I have a few, I like the Remington Precesion because you don't need to lube the blades.  I also have the Remington Shortcut that is shaped like a brush and it is as simple as brushing your hair.  When you intend to use the clippers without any guard, most clippers will do the job with ease.

Good Luck, hope this helped.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: chaucer on March 31, 2010, 04:42:45 AM
I've seen that Shortcut but have not bought it.  I assume it works well?
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: thebbqguy on April 10, 2010, 05:08:05 PM
I just did mine for the first time. My wife had to go over the top again to even it up just right.

Some mentioned the Conair clippers above. Walgreens has the Conair Chopper for $29. I haven't used it, but it looks like it will do the job.  I purchased the Wahl Balding Clippers, which worked well. They produced a nice, fine, even, clear cut.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Sgt. Pate on April 10, 2010, 05:38:35 PM
Go all the way... it'll grow back quickly to a 1.5 buzz if you don't like it but... you WILL like it!  O0
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Sykes on April 10, 2010, 09:41:51 PM
Don't wait around, it's your head, either buzz it or shave it. I buzzed for several months, then one hot day I shaved...liked it and it's been shaved ever since. Just make up your mind and do it.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Rob-Raz on July 04, 2010, 01:54:59 AM
Grab a cheap small handheld mirror.......shave in front of the sink/mirror and use the small mirror to even up the back.  piece of cake.....but using a razor or headblade wirh no mirror at all....even easier!  ;)
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: Nonick on July 04, 2010, 10:54:30 AM
Chaucer, where are you in your journey to sly-dom?  Once you get down below a #1, you are almost there!  It's just a few millimeters more, man!   O:O
Let's see, July 4th...Independence day...freedom from hair and the mental bondage that goes with it... Hmmm 8)
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: YoungAndTheHairless on July 12, 2011, 09:06:20 AM
Just make sure you have alot of mirrors to check for missed spots.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: mrzed on July 13, 2011, 06:13:42 PM
I have wahl clippers. They have a 1/2 guard .... 1/16 inch!  One site calls this a Brrrr cut rather than a Buzz cut.  Wow, I like it and I'm not even balding.  Just enjoying very short hair.  Generally re-burr it every day or two so I never look like I had a haircut. It's always 1/16.  It only take a few minutes each morning to trim up.  Feels cool. Looks manly. 
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: chgobuzzbald on July 13, 2011, 11:48:44 PM
What Wahl model do you have ?  I like being at 1/16th but have not found a clipper that I can handle and that I like yet.
Title: Re: Buzzing your own hair??
Post by: mrzed on July 16, 2011, 02:21:54 PM
I use the same clipper as Jimbo48. 

Run that 1/16 inch guard on the clippers every morning.  Makes my head feel like velvet.  Only takes a few minutes. Never have that 'oh you got a haircut' look.  It's just always the same. 

Really like it.