Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: Radocontact on September 14, 2012, 02:19:32 PM
-
Hello everyone!
I have to admit I've been spying on this forum for the last 4-6 months. When I was 19 years old I notice that a lot of hair was being left in the sink. I started noticing hair on the shower floor. I felt pretty wrecked about it being that I was pretty young. My dad was bald but I always held high hopes on getting my mother's father's genes. Unfortunately, he's 70+ and has a full head of hair. I bombed out at 19.
So anyway, it was livable for the past few years. I'm now 24 years old. I'm currently living in Mississippi but am relocating in a week back to Ohio. I've thinned out quite a bit in the last few years. It was very noticeable. I decided on Labor Day to finally bite the bullet.
My fears that held me back were obviously number 1 being that I'd never shaved my head. I wasn't sure how my head would look. Secondly, I was worried about sensitive skin. I know that my neck and face are pretty sensitive so I was afraid about my head being that way as well.
So, I started the process slowly on Labor Day. First I trimmed everything to a #2. It was just too thin on top to look right. I figured I'd go down to a #1 and it should be decent. Well, as luck would have it, I couldn't find the #1. I found a #1 1/2, big mistake as it started leaving streaks, ha! So, I went bare metal clippers with no attachment. It was absolutely freeing. It took a few minutes to let it sink in but afterwards I felt better than I have in the last few years about my hair loss.
So after a few days I found the HeadBlade at RiteAid. I bought it, hopped in the shower, and shaved it off. It was very difficult to get use to at first. Shaving that is. The first shave was rough. Fortunately, all I had on the back of my head were a few white bumps but no redness. The second shave a day and a half later had a similar effect. This time I tried to add baby oil but saw it gunked up the blade bad. The third shave to fourth shave wasn't horrible but it hurt.
Fifth shave is what killed me. I haven't shaved now in 3 days. I've gotten what I believe is ingrown hairs on the back of my neck. I've put hydrocortizone on it as well as trying liquid gel advil to reduce redness. Haven't tried witch hazel yet. I'm trying to give my neck a rest.
I just picked up Headslick so I am going to give that a try as well. I do plan to continue shaving. Just trying to find out what's best for my head. I appreciate all the info so far and hope to find something to get rid of razor burn and bumps before I make my move to Ohio. Don't want to be slugly (sly ugly - created a new word!)
But I am glad I made the step! Thanks to all the info you guys have put on here!
Pictures eventually.
-
Welcome to the club!
Witch hazel or an after shave balm such as Nivea Extreme Comfort should help with the redness and razor burn. I'll occasionally get a couple of bumps but they usually disappear in a day or two.
-
I get the same irritation on the back of my neck if I shave every day. Try shaving every other day once you start shaving again and see if it makes a difference.
-
Thanks for the tips!
I've also heard that once my head gets use to the consistent shaving that I'll see less of it. Hoping that's true!
I think having a hard time with the HeadBlade at first was part of the problem. I think more often than not I was shaving ATG trying to get the maximum smoothness. Too much, too soon I guess!
-
While I'm thinking about it:
Should I let the redness completely go away before shaving again or shave through it? I'd say on a scale of 1-10 it's gone from an 8 to about a 4 now. I know it's tough to answer without pictures.
-
ALso you might want to try something other than the HB to start out.
-
Welcome. I'd suggest shaving with the grain for your next few shaves. Also I wouldn't go for super smooth for the first few shaves either. Trying for ultra smooth shaves in the beginning can sometimes mean that you take way too many passes and end up irritating your scalp. That's my $.02.
-
Thanks Doug!
After the first night which I think was the reason my razor burn happened in the first place, I've gone for WTG. Though it was annoying because I could feel what was left on my head, I know that no one could see it. Hell, I couldn't see it being two inches from the mirror.
I really want to shave again, but I'm really worried about making the left over burn worsen. Kicking myself!
-
Welcome to the family mate! You've got some very good advice, I personally prefer to shave every other day, mainly because I don't like the look of stubble on my cheeks with a smooth dome and I can't shave my face every day due to irritation.
I know what you mean by the feeling of WTG vs ATG, I couldn't start being entirely WTG, so I just went carefully ATG, and if I started getting irritation I'd just leave that area alone until next shave. It made for a few patchy shaved initially, but I could only tell the difference when I ran my hand over my head.
-
Someone say cookies? :D
-
Went out tonight bought the Schick Hyrdo, Nivea Shave Balm, Bump Stopper and Witch Hazel.
Going to give it another day or two to let the leftover of the bumps die down and try again.
-
Cookies are awesome! :D
-
I double team my HB with the hydro 5, good choice O0
That sounds like a good plan, hopefully in a couple of days you can a nice smooth irritation free shave!
-
welcome to the dark side!
-
Btw dude your beard is epic! If only my wife wasn't a pain about my beard :(
-
Btw dude your beard is epic! If only my wife wasn't a pain about my beard :(
Thanks mate! I have yet to have an lady troubles with my beard. Though I've just started seeing someone now, so if the topic ever comes up, I'm just going to tell her she started going out with me like this, so I'm not cutting it to please her haha.
I see it the same was as I did when I shaved my head, as long as I am happy, why should it bother anyone else? Afterall I'm the one that has to deal with it on a daily basis.
-
Welcome....I heard that you used baby oil in your introductory post. May I suggest investing in Shave Secret and a shaving brush? Both are sold at WalMart, and all you need is five drops of Shave Secret mixed in whatever soap/gel/foam that you use. Also, when you apply your shaving cream with a brush, it makes the hair softer and easier to shave and you may get less irritation and bumps. Good luck and better shaving as you go along!
-
Welcome Rado...
As you know from having lurked when you thought we didn't see you, there is lots of advice freely dispensed here. Which is all good if it works for you - and that's really key. Every guy is different and will have different successes and disappointments. For example, I don't use a shaving brush and I'm not all that keen on Witch Hazel.
SirSlyHarry got here first with the Shave Secret recommendation. It's a small bottle attached to a cardboard backer in the shaving section at Wal-Mart. About $3.50 and the bottle will last a long time. As was mentioned here a few months ago, if you put a drop of Shave Secret on your HeadBlade's blades that can help keep it from gunking up. (That also depends a lot on what blade you are using on the HeadBlade.) So I put one drop on the HeadBlade and then five drops on my scalp.
HeadSlick is great and I don't use anything else. Just use a little (like the size of a large pea) and it will lather nicely. Be sure your scalp is wet when you put it on. And if it seems to dry out or go thin, just add a couple drops of water to revive it.
I think the biggest variable is finding the razor/blades which work best for you. I've used the HeadBlade since Day #1 and don't anticipate changing to anything else. I used the HeadBlade triple-blades initially which were OK but switched (based on recommendations here) to Gillette CustomPlus3 blades which seemed better for me. And then I tried Wilkinson Sword Twin blades which xnewyorkx(?) recommended and those are by far the best for me. So expect to do some experimentation as you get settled in the Sly World.
As for the cookies ... it's kind of a "bring your own and share" situation. Normally the NEW members bring. Did I miss them when you arrived?
Welcome. I'm really glad you are here (in the spotlight) and shared your experience. Everyone benefits from seeing how Sly is working for each person.
Stick around and let us know how it's going and what problems you're having so we can overwhelm you with more suggestions.
How have reactions been from others? That's usually the biggest concern when guys go Sly?
-
How do I reclaim the cookies I missed out on when I joined the darkside?? ;D
Bald and bearded is the way to be!!
-
Welcome. I'd suggest shaving with the grain for your next few shaves. Also I wouldn't go for super smooth for the first few shaves either. Trying for ultra smooth shaves in the beginning can sometimes mean that you take way too many passes and end up irritating your scalp. That's my $.02.
I always shave FIRST WTG. Then go over again ATG for smoothness. Starting out AGT seems too rough.
-
I see it the same was as I did when I shaved my head, as long as I am happy, why should it bother anyone else? Afterall I'm the one that has to deal with it on a daily basis.
It's all good on the girlfriend front... it's when they become a wife that you experience the problem haha! Their happiness is greater than yours at that point =P
Welcome....I heard that you used baby oil in your introductory post. May I suggest investing in Shave Secret and a shaving brush? Both are sold at WalMart, and all you need is five drops of Shave Secret mixed in whatever soap/gel/foam that you use. Also, when you apply your shaving cream with a brush, it makes the hair softer and easier to shave and you may get less irritation and bumps. Good luck and better shaving as you go along!
Thank you! I'll look for this today. The baby oil gunked up the blade too much for my liking. However, it was probably the nicest feeling shave I had during my frequent shaves. So I'm game for a more effective replacement!
Welcome Rado...
...
SirSlyHarry got here first with the Shave Secret recommendation. It's a small bottle attached to a cardboard backer in the shaving section at Wal-Mart. About $3.50 and the bottle will last a long time. As was mentioned here a few months ago, if you put a drop of Shave Secret on your HeadBlade's blades that can help keep it from gunking up. (That also depends a lot on what blade you are using on the HeadBlade.) So I put one drop on the HeadBlade and then five drops on my scalp.
...
I think the biggest variable is finding the razor/blades which work best for you. I've used the HeadBlade since Day #1 and don't anticipate changing to anything else. I used the HeadBlade triple-blades initially which were OK but switched (based on recommendations here) to Gillette CustomPlus3 blades which seemed better for me. And then I tried Wilkinson Sword Twin blades which xnewyorkx(?) recommended and those are by far the best for me. So expect to do some experimentation as you get settled in the Sly World.
As for the cookies ... it's kind of a "bring your own and share" situation. Normally the NEW members bring. Did I miss them when you arrived?
....
How have reactions been from others? That's usually the biggest concern when guys go Sly?
Thank you! I bought the HeadBlade classic. Kicking myself a little because they had the sport at another store for the same price. I originally used the blade that came with it twice. I believe it's a double blade. After that I bought the triple blade for the next few shaves but I think at that point the damage was done. After this heals up, I'm going to give the Schick Hydro a shot to see if having the blade guards help from irritating my scalp until it's use to being shaved. I figure I have plenty of years ahead to experiment! Definitely going to check out the Shave Secret.
I think medpsy82 ate your share of the cookies :(
The reactions have been interesting! My wife is probably the one having the hardest time with it. Being with someone having hair for 8 years then going to none is probably a bit of a shock but I think she's excepted it. My coworkers have actually been really awesome about it. They've all given me compliments and said it's much better than having the hair with thinning. The only real hazing I've received was from my four year old daughter who sang, "Daddy has a silly head!" at me for three days, haha!
On another note, I've received more compliments in the beginning week of my head shaved by women than I have in the last 24 years with hair! Granted, I'm not looking for love on the side, but it definitely boosts the self esteem! It would appear that the ladies are definitely okay with domes!
Honestly, I can't stress enough to the people lurking or the ones not sure about shaving their heads. It was the best decision I've made about my hair since I started losing it. It always bothered me while it was thinning. There's definitely a freedom to getting rid of it and having a more uniform looking head. I know I was very worried at first about my head shape. Admittedly, the back part of my skull is a little funky, but overall I was pleased to find out that my head is very symmetrical.
Looking forward to reporting about my future shaves =)
-
Welcome to the forum. 8)
-
Thanks slynt! Kayak fisherman or just like kayaking?
-
Welcome!
Hope your wife comes around to liking your new look. Give her a little time to adjust and I'm sure she will because it looks good on you.
A lot of guys worry that women don't like the sly look, but I've gotten lots of unprompted compliments from women. Makes me wonder if my hair looked that bad!
As far as shaving, part of the fun is experimenting and finding what works for you. Your technique and what you use will evolve over time and you may find yourself with a couple different routines like one for when you are short on time and one for normal days. Look around and you'll see lots of info or PM with questions.
-
Can't say thanks to everyone enough!
Ready to get my shave on here in the next day or so!
-
Thanks slynt! Kayak fisherman or just like kayaking?
I'm a Yaker and love to explore. I can get into some remote places so I should take an ultra-lite with me. Hummm?
8)
-
I'm a Yaker and love to explore. I can get into some remote places so I should take an ultra-lite with me. Hummm?
8)
Ha! I've never done it myself, but I have been researching it a lot lately. Just seems like it'd be absolutely peaceful on my down time!
-
Shaved the head yesterday night and it went awesome!
Put razor in Hydrogen Peroxide while waiting
Let hot water run on my head for 5 minutes.
Head and Shoulders Shampoo - Shower puff
St. Ives Apricot Scrub
4 drops of Shave Secret on the head, 1 on the blade
HeadSlick
Schick 3 Hydro
Shaved WTG
Ran head under cold water for a few minutes.
Put razor back in Hydrogen Peroxide
Witch Hazel on the head
Bump Patrol on
Nivea Extreme After Shave Balm
I felt absolutely no irritation afterwards. Previous irritation wasn't even a factor. Head isn't completely clear yet, but no added bumps! Only thing that was odd was that the Schick Hydro leaves a snotty residue while shaving. On the bright side, I think that was part of the reason it was such a smooth shape!
I'm amped up now!
-
Shaved the head yesterday night and it went awesome!
Put razor in Hydrogen Peroxide while waiting
Let hot water run on my head for 5 minutes.
Head and Shoulders Shampoo - Shower puff
St. Ives Apricot Scrub
4 drops of Shave Secret on the head, 1 on the blade
HeadSlick
Schick 3 Hydro
Shaved WTG
Ran head under cold water for a few minutes.
Put razor back in Hydrogen Peroxide
Witch Hazel on the head
Bump Patrol on
Nivea Extreme After Shave Balm
I felt absolutely no irritation afterwards. Previous irritation wasn't even a factor. Head isn't completely clear yet, but no added bumps! Only thing that was odd was that the Schick Hydro leaves a snotty residue while shaving. On the bright side, I think that was part of the reason it was such a smooth shape!
I'm amped up now!
Nice!
-
Glad to hear it!
-
Welcome to the bald brotherhood or to the darkside Radocontact. You look great bald and bearded. Happy shaving.
-
I'm a late joiner to the welcome chorus Rado, but I wish to add that you look great with the shaved look.
By the way, cookies or no cookies... it's great on the sly side.