Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 08:39:03 PM

Title: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 08:39:03 PM
I just don't get it...

My routine:

I use a Shick Hydro 5 currently but I've used Gilette Fusion Proglide and the HB Sport.

1) Rinse my head with hot water
2) HeadShed exfoliate scrub (every other day)
3) Put on a few drops of shave secret
4) Add headslick to the shave secret and lather
5) Straight up on the sides, long strokes, followed by some short ones if I feel spots I missed
6) ATG on the back of my head, long strokes again to the crown, some diagonal ones too on the crown
7) ATG on the top of my head, long strokes from the front to the back, little short ones if necessary in between
8) Rinse, re-lather with some more headslick and then run over the back in quick, short strokes, usually at a bit of a diagonal and then the top of my head again, long strokes and short if I miss any spots
9) Rinse with hot water
10) Wash it over with some headwash from HB
11) Rinse with cold water
12) Wash the rest of me
13) Rub down with some witch hazel wipes
14) Apply Nivea Extreme after-shave balm

I just can't stand having to get up so much earlier every morning and having the process take SO long..literally in the shower anywhere from 25-45 minutes per day! It's a bit excessive! I had a customer tonight come in and tell me that he shaves his head in 5 minutes! I just can't stand it anymore... I'm almost ready to GIVE UP going Sly! :Xo!
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Razor X on August 17, 2012, 08:51:55 PM
It doesn't take very long once you get the hang of it. Takes me 10 minutes, tops.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Trac3 on August 17, 2012, 08:56:47 PM
You definitely don't want to give up sly :D you look so awesome being sly!

Maybe try skipping a few steps? It takes me maximum of 10 minutes to shave head/beard.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Beardman on August 17, 2012, 09:12:10 PM
He has probably also been shaving his head for a very long time. I still take at least 15 minutes (I've only been doing it since June) but I like to take my time. Have you considered changing your schedule around a bit and shaving at night? That way you don't have to get up early, and you can take all the time you need. I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning for work, and there is no way I am going to get up at 5 just to shave my head! It still feels the same the next day, I just get the velcro feeling a bit earlier then the morning shavers. But it does mean that I can take my time, and get a really nice shave.

The speed will come with time, trust me. My shave time just about halved when I switched to the HB, is there any reason you gave it up? I still use my hydro 5 but only to do the touch ups and to shave my face.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Trac3 on August 17, 2012, 09:16:37 PM
I have shaved my head only for a several times, but I skip a lot of steps from his process... However I get faster each time I do it, and as soon as I get my shaving gear I will add up extra steps to protect skin etc.. :)
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: mahaw90 on August 17, 2012, 09:20:02 PM
I do exactly what you just said and it takes about 10 minutes max. Just stick at it, practice makes perfect mate.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: -Doug- on August 17, 2012, 09:31:45 PM
Like the others have said, practice and patience. Also, if your doing more than one pass, don't try to scrape every last bit off with each swipe of the razor. Rather, look at it as a reduction process, removing a little more each time.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 10:42:55 PM
It doesn't take very long once you get the hang of it. Takes me 10 minutes, tops.

Apparently, I'll never get the hang of it cause I've been shaving my head for years....on and off.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 10:43:21 PM
You definitely don't want to give up sly :D you look so awesome being sly!

Maybe try skipping a few steps? It takes me maximum of 10 minutes to shave head/beard.

Thanks! I appreciate that. I don't even know which steps I can skip lol...
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 10:44:55 PM
He has probably also been shaving his head for a very long time. I still take at least 15 minutes (I've only been doing it since June) but I like to take my time. Have you considered changing your schedule around a bit and shaving at night? That way you don't have to get up early, and you can take all the time you need. I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning for work, and there is no way I am going to get up at 5 just to shave my head! It still feels the same the next day, I just get the velcro feeling a bit earlier then the morning shavers. But it does mean that I can take my time, and get a really nice shave.

The speed will come with time, trust me. My shave time just about halved when I switched to the HB, is there any reason you gave it up? I still use my hydro 5 but only to do the touch ups and to shave my face.

Yes, I have been shaving my head for a long time. I've tried shaving at night but it seems to literally start growing back to stubble only a few hours after I wake up which frustrates me.

I found that with the HB, I wasn't getting as smooth a shave, especially on  top...not having a "perfectly round head" it just doesn't seem to go along the top of my head easily like it once did when I first tried it. I shaved my head with an HB years ago the first time I shaved my head bald.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 10:45:32 PM
I do exactly what you just said and it takes about 10 minutes max. Just stick at it, practice makes perfect mate.

I don't know how else to practice it... I'm a daily shaver, been doing it for years.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 10:46:21 PM
Like the others have said, practice and patience. Also, if your doing more than one pass, don't try to scrape every last bit off with each swipe of the razor. Rather, look at it as a reduction process, removing a little more each time.

You're saying to speed up my strokes and not worry if I miss a spot, get it on the 2nd pass?
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: mahaw90 on August 17, 2012, 11:32:32 PM
I'm not really sure then if you say you have been shaving for years. It shouldn't take that long at all, bit of a funny one this. I'd expect it to take a rookie about that length of time. How slow do you do your strokes? Maybe speed it up a little. Only you can make it faster. The actual shave for me probably doesn't take much longer than 4 minutes, if that. Just a case of about 5 strokes up at the back. 5 at the front, then up on the sides. Then rinse.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 11:35:46 PM
I'm not really sure then if you say you have been shaving for years. It shouldn't take that long at all, bit of a funny one this. I'd expect it to take a rookie about that length of time. How slow do you do your strokes? Maybe speed it up a little. Only you can make it faster. The actual shave for me probably doesn't take much longer than 4 minutes, if that. Just a case of about 5 strokes up at the back. 5 at the front, then up on the sides. Then rinse.

Maybe it's the shape of my head then? I'm really not sure to be honest... It's always taken me awhile. Do you feel over your head to make sure you haven't missed any spots or just do the quick head shave and just go with it as "good as it gets" type deal? Also, shower shaver or at the sink?
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: mahaw90 on August 17, 2012, 11:44:37 PM
Use your HB Sport again and try doing it exactly like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfQXnpcFPtE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Other than that I don't really know what else to suggest. It could be your head shape I guess.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 17, 2012, 11:51:49 PM
Use your HB Sport again and try doing it exactly like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfQXnpcFPtE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Other than that I don't really know what else to suggest. It could be your head shape I guess.

I appreciate the advice. I'm going to try do it at the sink again JUST like that tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: mrzed on August 18, 2012, 03:37:05 AM
Are your blades dull? That would slow you down. Usually no more than 7 shaves per blade.

Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: -Doug- on August 18, 2012, 06:13:40 AM
Like the others have said, practice and patience. Also, if your doing more than one pass, don't try to scrape every last bit off with each swipe of the razor. Rather, look at it as a reduction process, removing a little more each time.

You're saying to speed up my strokes and not worry if I miss a spot, get it on the 2nd pass?

Don't necessarily speed up, but, yes, you can get any missed spots on a second pass.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 18, 2012, 09:43:26 AM
Are your blades dull? That would slow you down. Usually no more than 7 shaves per blade.



Nah, I change them like every 3-4 days.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 18, 2012, 11:25:37 AM
Update:

I took Mark's advice and did it just like the HB spokesman at the sink...And the results? I managed to shave my head in only 8 minutes! Wow!

Now, I am a bit red on the head today but I'm sure that's cause my hair got a little thick and I have to get used to the HB again, but I think I'll be able to cut down my shaving time now to just about 10 minutes daily...perhaps less once I get used to it again.

Let's call this a Sly Reboot  O0

Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Sir Harry on August 18, 2012, 11:41:03 AM
Update:

I took Mark's advice and did it just like the HB spokesman at the sink...And the results? I managed to shave my head in only 8 minutes! Wow!

Now, I am a bit red on the head today but I'm sure that's cause my hair got a little thick and I have to get used to the HB again, but I think I'll be able to cut down my shaving time now to just about 10 minutes daily...perhaps less once I get used to it again.

Let's call this a Sly Reboot  O0



Way to go! Didn't want to lose you.....
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: antoniom on August 18, 2012, 12:51:19 PM
how many passes are you doing? I do two followed by a cold water rinse to cool and shut down everything after shaving no need to try and get everything in one pass if you can go for it or catch it on the 2nd pass I takes me about 10 min maybe 15 or 20 if want to get my dome looking right or maybe have quick it if I am in a rush to go some where.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: mahaw90 on August 18, 2012, 03:00:52 PM
Congrats mate
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Beardman on August 18, 2012, 06:16:52 PM
Glad to hear you were able to cut down your shaving time with the HB! I would have hated time constraints to be the only reason for you to give up being sly, when it sounds like you really like it (why else would you struggle with it for so long) I wish you many more quick shaves to come  O0
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: baldbird on August 18, 2012, 06:43:46 PM
Glad you could make the HB work for you.  I've been shaving my head since November and the first month or so was a lot of trial and error with various gadgets.  I finally stuck with the HB and can get my head done in about 8-10 minutes most days.  I've also learned to relax a little bit about making sure every square cm of  my head is über-slick.  Once I rinse with cold water and apply aloe gel all the little imperfections are not noticeable by myself or anyone else.  Once I got the hang of it, it's HB for me all the time.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldJJ on August 19, 2012, 08:47:47 PM
Update - Added a second pass and got a much cleaner shave with virtually no irritation and the good news is that it only took an extra four minutes! So today was 12 minutes... Not bad! Almost 8 hours later and still smooth with a little stubble on the sides.

Proud to be Sly!  O0
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Beardman on August 20, 2012, 01:14:05 AM

Proud to be Sly!  O0

That is what we love to hear, may you be happy and sly for years to come  O0 P@^
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: quietstorm on August 20, 2012, 05:02:24 PM
Update - Added a second pass and got a much cleaner shave with virtually no irritation and the good news is that it only took an extra four minutes! So today was 12 minutes... Not bad! Almost 8 hours later and still smooth with a little stubble on the sides.

Proud to be Sly!  O0


Cool deal.... Yeah it takes me awhile too, just cause of my prep routine so I usually do it when I get off of work cause I have to be to work so early in the morning.... Don't want to skip my prep routine just yet cause it is working for me, skipped a few steps before and it don't come out well.... But I'm still in training....
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: BaldHDbiker on August 20, 2012, 05:47:28 PM
When I first started shaving it seemed to take forever but now it's done in just a few minutes.  I make sure I got it it all also as I don't like stubble.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: Slynito on August 20, 2012, 07:23:34 PM
I'm sure you'll pick up speed with more experience...I really don't hurry because I want to do a good job. I take about five minutes with my Panny and a little longer with steel...good luck.
Title: Re: Ok, why does it take so damn long?
Post by: slynewbie on August 21, 2012, 04:59:10 PM
I take awhile, too....I think it's a newbie thing. I am probably way over meticulous with making sure I get every last hair...it doesn't help that my hair grows in several different directions in some spots.

Trust me, though....I'll take 45 minutes shaving this over the 45 minutes I used to take trying to cover up the bald spots so no one saw them any day....