Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: BaldJJ on July 25, 2012, 11:28:59 AM
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I've been Sly on and off for a few years now. I've done the electric, tons of different razors, HB, etc... I've done in the shower, at the sink, all of it... Thanks to some great advice on this forum I've pretty much nailed my routine down. It takes about 20-30 minutes which really sucks but I don't know how to cut down that time. I exfoliate with a little clearhead, rinse it out, lather up with some HeadSlick, then grab the HB (which Custom Plus 3 blades) and go straight back over the top of my head, then I do the back, then sides and then my neck real quick. I rinse, re-lather and go over it a second time, all different directions at the crown to make sure I get it all. I then rinse, wash and rinse with cold water. I get out of the shower, rub with a dickinson's witch hazel wipe, rub down with hydrocortizone cream and finally Nivea Extreme aftershave balm. On and btw, I'm daily shaver.
A lot, right!?!? But that's how it goes when you're not going Sly by choice.. lol
Anyways, my head is a bit curved/indented from the sides to the top and I find that no matter how many passes I go over the top of my head, no matter if I use the Fusion Proglide, HB, any of them... I never get the top completely smooth. It appears to be getting worse. I just recently changed my blade so I don't think it's that but I really need help cause this is extremely frustrating. Is there maybe another razor I should try??
Any input is really appreciated, fellow Sly guys!
Also, any tips to SPEED UP the shaving? I'm gonna be late to work daily at this rate... lol
Please help! :-\
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BaldJJ, nice to see you post again. It's been quite a while.
Timewise I seem to have settled right around 30 minutes for showering and daily shave of head and face, without rushing. I've just had to adjust my morning schedule slightly to accommodate the bit more time. Worth it for sure.
And I have a few areas which I absolutely cannot get shaved to the skin which annoy me - but when I look carefully in the mirror it's not visually detectable. I keep working on different techniques/directions but no breakthroughs. At the moment I'm resigned to co-existing.
So not much help, but I'm in the same boat.
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1st of all.... NEVER EVER speed up a head shave or a face shave for any reason. Shaving should be your "zen" time. Me time. A time to relax and 4get the rest of the world. It is your time and enjoy it. 8)
With that said... I usually shave at night so I don't have 2 rush or speed up. I also shave in the afternoon or late in the morning if I do not have to be up early in the morning.
To help get U a closer shave... I would suggest adding a shaving brush and a good shaving soap or cream to your routine. The shaving brush will boost up your shaves to another level. Also... I would go with a safety razor. There is nothing that gets the face or dome smoother than a safety razor.
However... if the safety razor advice is a little too much for you at this time. I would definitely add a good shaving brush to your routine and a good shaving soap or cream: i.e. www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com, TOBS (Taylor of Old Bond Street) Shaving Cream, RazoRock Cream, KMF (Kiss My Face) Shaving Cream.
Hope this helps and keep us posted. Take care and I hope more of our sly brothers can chime in.
WARHAWK O0
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JJ, good to see you back! I now use the Headblade in the shower (I was anti Headblade for a long time). If you take long strokes and don't apply the pressure to the blade it should take you 15 minutes max....As far as why the hair on the top of your head isn't smooth, I guess you're one of those people who were blessed to not have MPB...Hang in there and good luck!
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BaldJJ, nice to see you post again. It's been quite a while.
Timewise I seem to have settled right around 30 minutes for showering and daily shave of head and face, without rushing. I've just had to adjust my morning schedule slightly to accommodate the bit more time. Worth it for sure.
And I have a few areas which I absolutely cannot get shaved to the skin which annoy me - but when I look carefully in the mirror it's not visually detectable. I keep working on different techniques/directions but no breakthroughs. At the moment I'm resigned to co-existing.
So not much help, but I'm in the same boat.
It's still nice to know that I'm not alone ;)
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With that said... I usually shave at night so I don't have 2 rush or speed up. I also shave in the afternoon or late in the morning if I do not have to be up early in the morning.
I would love to do that but by the time I get up, I have stubble and then at work it'll drive me crazy.
To help get U a closer shave... I would suggest adding a shaving brush and a good shaving soap or cream to your routine. The shaving brush will boost up your shaves to another level.
I've actually tried that before and it didn't make a difference. Now, the brush just sits in my bathroom cabinet.
Also... I would go with a safety razor. There is nothing that gets the face or dome smoother than a safety razor.
I have a pack of Custom Plus 3 razors, think I should just try that? That's considered a safety razor, right?
However... if the safety razor advice is a little too much for you at this time.
I'm scared to open up that can of worms.. which one to use, lol...
Hope this helps and keep us posted. Take care and I hope more of our sly brothers can chime in.
WARHAWK O0
Yeah man, I appreciate the feedback! O0
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JJ, good to see you back! I now use the Headblade in the shower (I was anti Headblade for a long time). If you take long strokes and don't apply the pressure to the blade it should take you 15 minutes max....As far as why the hair on the top of your head isn't smooth, I guess you're one of those people who were blessed to not have MPB...Hang in there and good luck!
Yeah man, it's good to be back! I went back and forth between Sly again...really stressed myself out on that one.
I've tried long passes, short passes, diagonal, straight back, side-to-side, etc.. doesn't seem to make much of a difference and it takes A LOT longer then 15 minutes. lol
And as far as being blessed, hardly... I'm one of those guys whose hair grows faster then most, receding with a widow's peak and dark hair so a perm 5 o clock shadow. lol
Lucky me, eh? :*))
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Welcome back BaldJJ. It could be that the roots on top of your dome are thicker than the sides and back that is why its hard to keep it BBS. I have the same condition. It is nothing to stress about. Makes shaving more fun.
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Welcome back BaldJJ. It could be that the roots on top of your dome are thicker than the sides and back that is why its hard to keep it BBS. I have the same condition. It is nothing to stress about. Makes shaving more fun.
What's your shaving method now? Do you ever get the top of your dome BBS? How do you do it?
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Most of the time I have my dome scraped using a straight razor by my regular barber at the barbershop. If I have to do it myself, I would do it in the shower. Apply conditioner then shave using a double or triple blade disposable razor. Rinse then with scalp still wet, feel for rough spots, stretch the scalp and shave against the grain again. Rise with cold water and rub ice cube. I am using alum crystal as an aftershave. I am smooth for a good 5 to 6 hours. Hope this helps BaldJJ.
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JJ, good to see you back! I now use the Headblade in the shower (I was anti Headblade for a long time). If you take long strokes and don't apply the pressure to the blade it should take you 15 minutes max....As far as why the hair on the top of your head isn't smooth, I guess you're one of those people who were blessed to not have MPB...Hang in there and good luck!
What's your method like these days? Are you using the HB TripleBlades that come with the HB Sport or changed it up?
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JJ, good to see you back! I now use the Headblade in the shower (I was anti Headblade for a long time). If you take long strokes and don't apply the pressure to the blade it should take you 15 minutes max....As far as why the hair on the top of your head isn't smooth, I guess you're one of those people who were blessed to not have MPB...Hang in there and good luck!
What's your method like these days? Are you using the HB TripleBlades that come with the HB Sport or changed it up?
I use the HB sport with the HB Tripleblade refills.....The caveat to that is I have to reshave with three days or less growth for the HB to be effective....If I have more than four days growth I either use my Schick Quattro or I clipper it down with the Andis clippers first and then use the headblade. For shaving cream I mix 5 drops of Shave secret, shaving soap and either Bald Guyz Gel, Headslick or Bump patrol to make a nice lather. Then when my head is completely wet in the shower, I take my brush and lather up my head and take long strokes with the HB. This is also effective at the sink, but make sure your head is thoroughly wet first. Hope this helps, hit me if you need more info/suggestions. A shaving brush is a good investment, it helps stand up your hairs for a closer shave.
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Bald JJ
I am sorry that you are struggling to settle into a shaving routine that does not give you the desired results.
If you have tried “everything” and it is not working then you are perhaps doing something wrong. Don’t give up hope; however, there is a solution to every challenge. Do you go against the grain? Have you observed or felt which direction the hair grows on the section that won’t go BBS? Try to Google a few head shaving clips and see if you cannot improve from viewing someone else that may be doing it right.
Why do you use hydrocortisone after every shave, do you have a skin condition? You are aware that long term use of cortisone causes the skin to thin and to lose its elasticity? Also, it’s not good to exfoliate every day, especially if you have a skin condition.
Consider using a Double Edge Safety razor (AKA: DE”) with a good quality blade such as the Astra Superior Platinum with the old fashioned “Wet Shaving” method. Although this method is a little time consuming, this gives many men the smoothest head shave possible. One of the reasons is because you tend to shave so carefully that you end up shaving "thoroughly".
I hope you discover a shaving method that suits you and gives you better results.
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Try a double edge razor, merkur 34c is a good one, that should do the trick.
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Stick with your HeadBlade. I suggest you try the Atra or Wilkinson Sword double blade cartridges.
Be sure to take long, smooth strokes and it will help to go against the grain on top.
Good luck with it, hang in there.
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Huh
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@sdfjeoj98, what on earth is your last post about? :px
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I'm a little scared to try one of those DE razors lol, nor do I know where I could find one around here...Walmart, places like that sell them or do you have to go to a barber supply store?
I've never shaved WTG, always against... even from when I started, do you think it would benefit me at all to go WTG then ATG, at least on top or it won't make a difference? I've tried my HB Sport with standard HB blade, Custom Plus 3 blades, my Fusion Proglide, the only thing I haven't done yet is the Gillette Custom Plus 3 razor itself and I'm contemplating that one tomorrow.
I can get the sides and the back of my head nice and smooth, but the top, just doesn't seem to get smooth anymore. I've watched videos, lots of them to try to get a better idea, I do exactly as they show and it's still rough literally MINUTES after shaving... I just don't know what to do anymore! I could see if this was like a week into it.. but this is like over a year now that I've been shaving my head on and off. It appears to grow too quickly to let it be more then every day, like doing it every other day or every 2 days... maybe I shave it too much? My razor blades also don't seem to last as long as even though I rinse them constantly throughout the shave. Like the Proglide green strip is turning white after only like 3 days worth of shaving...
Help! >:(
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You can get a DE on line and with a little practice, you can get a very smooth shave.
As to the top of you head, the hair may be thicker. Try going first with the grain, then against the grain. It might help cut the stubble closer than starting against the grain. My own technique is to go first against the grain fry to back, then diagonally against the grain left front to right rear and then right front to left rear, lathering in between. Three light passes gives me a very smooth top. That lasts for hours.
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I used my HB sport today and it felt like it was doing the job but it's now... 4 hours later? and I can feel stubble on the top. Am I overdoing it? lol Minor stubble on the sides, back is BBS!
I ran out of cartridges for my fusion proglide and my blade's green strip is completely white so I'm guessing that blade is finished...going to pick up some more.
Is it worth it to try a mach 3 or shick hydro or any of those and see if it's any better or it shouldn't make a difference?
Need to know by 5pm, going to buy either cartridges or a new razor.
Thanks for the help.
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So slow on a Friday morning at work so I've got some time to browse...
I was just reading some reviews and a lot of people were happy with switching to the Shick Hydro from Gillette Fusions, less irritations, smoother shaves...cleaner, any input on that? And if I do, what's a better razor in your opinions... hydro or quattro?
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I've been using the Hydro 5 for several months now and I'm really happy with it. I prep with a loofah pad--not the sponge--in the shower, a little Shave Secret then Headslick with a touch of gylcerin applied with a shaving brush. Then a second lathering with the remaining lather in the brush and a second pass, rinse, ice cube rub, witch hazel or hydrogen peroxide, and Nivea Extreme Comfort. Slick & smooth as the baby's butt, and the shine's good too. O0
I have found that shaving right after getting up doesn't yield the longest lasting smoothness--going to the gym first or being up for about 45 minutes does it best. But, even though the "grass" is extremely sparse on top--that's where I first get the sensation of stubble no matter what. Perhaps the skin is thinnest there, who knows?
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I've been using the Hydro 5 for several months now and I'm really happy with it. I prep with a loofah pad--not the sponge--in the shower, a little Shave Secret then Headslick with a touch of gylcerin applied with a shaving brush. Then a second lathering with the remaining lather in the brush and a second pass, rinse, ice cube rub, witch hazel or hydrogen peroxide, and Nivea Extreme Comfort. Slick & smooth as the baby's butt, and the shine's good too. O0
I have found that shaving right after getting up doesn't yield the longest lasting smoothness--going to the gym first or being up for about 45 minutes does it best. But, even though the "grass" is extremely sparse on top--that's where I first get the sensation of stubble no matter what. Perhaps the skin is thinnest there, who knows?
That's interesting that you say that. I find that when I shave my head in the afternoon/middle of the day, I get a smoother shave and it appears to last longer too. Strange.. I thought it was just a coincidence. lol
As far as the top, it's true that it could just be thicker actually on top and that's why it's so difficult to get it BBS on that part of the dome.
I'm thinking about picking up a Schick Hydro today to give it a shot. Thanks for the input, fellow Sly brother!
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I agree with saintc - I get the smoothest shaves after a workout at the gym and the smoothness lasts longer. I can't say why this is the case, but it is.
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I've used a Quattro once in a while and got good results....however, I'm in the category of those with nothing on the top. Most of the time, I only have to go ATG to get a smooth shave. (I use the Headblade when shower shaving)
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I agree with saintc - I get the smoothest shaves after a workout at the gym and the smoothness lasts longer. I can't say why this is the case, but it is.
Which razor are you using these days buddy?
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Cranky Ming, here again.
Ming may be lucky. How so? His dome's hair is a) white and b) on the fine side. Perhaps this is bad genetics and low testosterone, but let's not go there.
What this means is that Ming's routine is really slipshod. Other SBGs take nearly half an hour! Mercy! [Not that the Merciless One can provide this.]
In the shower, wetting and soaping all of the Imperial Body, then the Imperial Rinse. [Ming takes what's called a "Navy Shower"]. Less than five minutes.
Out to the sink. Lathering the face and dome; razoring such: less than five minutes. Done.
Touch of roughness in a few spots? Ming does not care. It shows not to the multitude, and we all are a bit stubbly before the day is done.
Ming's motto: "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." By which Ming means, "Good enough to pass for slick."
Perhaps more difficult with SBG guys with shadow...
Your mileage may vary.
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I do think I obsess over trying to get EVERY spot perfectly smooth. Maybe that's my only -real- problem. Anyways I picked up the schick hydro 5. Gonna test that bad boy out tomorrow. Will let you all know how it goes. Also gonna try to shave a little after I wake up (for no explainable reason) but it works lol
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I agree with saintc - I get the smoothest shaves after a workout at the gym and the smoothness lasts longer. I can't say why this is the case, but it is.
Which razor are you using these days buddy?
I use the Fusion most days, but if I have a little extra time, I use a Merkur DE.
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I always find it difficult to get the top completely smooth. I think it's because the hair there is baby-fine and not coarse enough to stand up to the blade. I think it just gets pushed down when the blade passes. I find this is particularly the case at the hairline. I have the same problem trying to shave the back of my neck.
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I always find it difficult to get the top completely smooth. I think it's because the hair there is baby-fine and not coarse enough to stand up to the blade. I think it just gets pushed down when the blade passes. I find this is particularly the case at the hairline. I have the same problem trying to shave the back of my neck.
So, you just let it go and move on or spend the extra 10+ minutes trying to get EVERY SINGLE SPOT smooth?
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Update: So I used the Hydro 5 today and it was a pretty solid shave. I felt like I was able to apply more pressure with fewer passes. I'm going to continue experimenting with this one for the week and see how it goes but so far, so good! BBS all over the dome! O0
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JJ, way to go man....just remember, patience is important....different strokes for different folks (no pun intended).
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1st of all.... NEVER EVER speed up a head shave or a face shave for any reason. Shaving should be your "zen" time. Me time. A time to relax and 4get the rest of the world. It is your time and enjoy it. 8)
I have to agree with warhawk about rushing a shave. I can, however, appreciate that time is luxury that not everyone enjoys.
I take three different razors into the bathroom for every shave. A DE for my face, except for the areas around my mustache and goatee; a Bic Metal Guard disposable with a very narrow head for the close work around the mustache/goatee area; and my oft mentioned Bumpfighter razor which is exclusively used on my dome. Additionally I have to haul along my brush, my soap or cream of choice for that day's shave, my scuttle for the loaded brush, and my alum block.
I average one full hour from the start of my shower to the final cleanup and exit of the bathroom.
As to the issue of getting that BBS shave all over your head; I find that using the Bumpfighter delivers because I can apply a good deal more pressure than I could with an unprotected blade. It is a single blade system as is the Bic I use for my mustache, but because it is set a bit further back, it is nearly impossible to cut myself. I mean you would really have to TRY and cut yourself with it. All that being said, the additional pressure - not MASHING it onto my skull - can be applied without fear and I can also do extra passes without getting any irritation anyplace, including the back of my neck.
As Dave Chappelle famously said (I paraphrase) my dome is as smooth as an egg.
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Good for you BaldJJ.
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I always find it difficult to get the top completely smooth. I think it's because the hair there is baby-fine and not coarse enough to stand up to the blade. I think it just gets pushed down when the blade passes. I find this is particularly the case at the hairline. I have the same problem trying to shave the back of my neck.
So, you just let it go and move on or spend the extra 10+ minutes trying to get EVERY SINGLE SPOT smooth?
Just let it go and move on. No one can see the difference and I generally don't have 10 extra minutes to spare in the mornings.