Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: baldingguy23 on January 10, 2014, 01:10:02 PM
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My hairline went to hell and I'm 21 so yeah, I want to go bald and keep my scalp clean. I also don't want to dish out a lot of $$ for constant razors. What's my best bet? Buying a clipper or going with a razor? And if so, what's a good razor that lasts a long time before I have to change the blade? Or just use disposable razors?
Also, with a razor, are razor burns/cuts common? I don't know about my head, but my skin is definitely sensitive.
And off topic, but any recommendations for a good beard trimmer? Not one of those that just lets you keep a stubble? Thanks in advance!
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I use a mach 3 sometimes, but I use a Remington 3 head foil electric shaver a lot. It gets almost as smooth as a razor, but no irritation. I wash my head first, let it dry, and put on some pre-electric lotion, let it dry, and shave away. Costs almost nothing to shave daily!
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With a regular razor like the Mach 3, how often do you need to change the blade? After every 3-4 times of usage?
And razor bumps are rare with a razor as long as you don't rush?
Edit: Actually I feel like I'd be annoyed as hell constantly buying new blades. So I should acquire an electric razor where I never have to change a blade or buy anything new? And it's just as effective as a regular razor?
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You probably wont get as smooth a shave as with a razor
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My shaver was only about $40, I buy new cutting heads once a year($20). The mach 3 razor lasts me about 4 shaves. My scalp takes about 2 weeks to toughen up. After that I was less likely to get bumps. I also use Bump Patrol to prevent bumps. There is a lot of talk about saving $$$ on shampoo, haircuts, etc, but with all the products I buy to keep my head shaved, shiny, and conditioned, and the extra time I invest shaving daily, you have a bit of a commitment. BUT... the payoff is having a smooth bald head. I am BBC, and just love it. I would shave it twice a day if I could!
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Electric is not as effective as a blade. And if your sensitive I would suggest only shaving with the grain at least to start with. As for cuts well we have all been there, but over time you will develop better technique. And as Reddog said I also invest possibly more money into maintaining a shaved head as I would if I had hair, I guess it depends on how much you want it.
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I change the blades in my Gillette Fusion every Sunday after shaving seven times each week. If I buy them at the grocery store, they run about $15 for a four pack. I strongly recommend against disposables unless you are into bleeding.
And you never are going to get as smooth as a blade with an electric.
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So basically, if I want my hair completely bald, my best bet is the Mach 3, shaving every 2 days, and if I only shave every 2 days, change my razor every 2 weeks if I want to save my money? Main reason I'm shaving my head bald is so I can hide my hairline, I don't want the outline to be there.
What other materials should I be buying? Or a razor and aloe vera or something similar will do?
Edit: Just curious, if you shave every day or every other day, how long does shaving take you usually?
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Edit: Just curious, if you shave every day or every other day, how long does shaving take you usually?
I usually shave every day. I love the very smooth feel. But some days, like Saturday, or a very early morning, I'll skip a day. It takes longer on the 2nd day as there is more hair to shave off. In those few times when I skip two mornings, I really notice the increased time to shave smooth. It's just faster over all if I shave my head daily. Once I got into it, I was down to about 3-4 minutes to shave on the first morning.
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Welcome aboard! A good way to make your razors last longer is to clean them and then soak them in baby oil between uses. Check out some of the other threads for more tips. Good luck!
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But shaving w/ a razor is easy and completely safe? Chances of any scarring are extremely slim?
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Maybe you could have a barber either shave it for you or no guard it to the skin. Then go home and shave with the grain until you get used to it.
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Maybe you could have a barber either shave it for you or no guard it to the skin. Then go home and shave with the grain until you get used to it.
That's what I plan to do. Letting the barber cut it for me the first time, then taking care of it myself from there on.
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like you I was worried about the cost of blades.
I started with clippers. but they seemed to get dull every 3-6 months. I'd buy new clippers or parts when they got dull and found myself spending about $80 for clippers each year.
I figured I was shaving my face with the mach 3 turbo so why not shave the head with it too. But I burned through mach blades quickly (cartridge every 1.5 to 2 weeks). On a good day, I could get mach 3 turbo blades for about $2 per cartridge.
I finally turned to the headblade sport. my experience is that I found I got a better shave with the sport than I did with the mach 3 (but YMMV). I shave my head every day except weekends and each cartridge lasts me about 3 weeks to a month. especially since there's deals out there (like the headblade power pack), Tripleblades can be as low as $1.80 a cartridge. So I'd spend about $22-$25 a year on headblade cartridges that gave me a better shave than the Mach and was cheaper than the clippers (for me anyway).
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If you're really worried about costs, look into a safety razor. Very cheap but takes a lot of practise.
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I'm not worried about spending any $ w/e, but I don't want to spend a lot more $ than I would on haircuts a month lol.
I'm more concerned about having a smooth head and shaving without razor bumps and cuts.
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How long your head stays smooth depends largely on how fast your hair grows, the closer a shave you get the longer you stay smooth.
Be aware that as long as your hair still grows you won't have a completely smooth head. Since your concern is cuts and irritation, you should consider an electric shaver. Whatever method you choose for shaving, be sure to put lotion on your head every day even days you don't shave.
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What do you mean by "completely smooth head", as in there will always be some hairs, or my hairline will be visible still?
So for someone who still grows most of their hair.. is there really that big of a difference between clippers, electric razors, and regular razors?
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Ming is a cheapskate, but Ming is willing to commit to the expense of blade razors for the dome. But this does not include the platinum-plated, daily Starbucks-level disbursements for the latest hot-diggety edged depilitator. I have said before, and I say now, "It's just hair." It's not rocket science (take that, Flash!), nor does it require NASA level expense to level it.
Despite what others might say here, for those of us (like Ming) whose head hair, semi-intact, is not all that thick or coarse--well, disposable blades work well enough. Give those a try once you've had it clipped as low-as-you-can-go with something electric (or barber-done). If you are unhappy with results... Well, Ming is sure you can get excellent advice from deeper-pocketed Sly members here on the way to go. And you've already gotten some.
Time to obsess over more important topics. Global warming maybe? Less hat-need for the dome? What's not to like?
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Last question...
Is it really that big of a noticeable difference between using a razor and electric razor on how your baldness looks?
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Razor blade with lather (or Head Slick, which is what I use) shaves the closest to the scalp. We all want perfectly smooth scalps, but, unless your skin color almost perfectly matches your hair color, there is going to be a tell-tale stubble line, even if the skin feels smooth. Don't worry, no one will notice but you. Eventually, you can try waxing, epilation, electrolysis, or laser treatments, but you need to learn to walk before you can run, so to speak.
Just shave it all off ... you'll like the results.
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A Mach 3 razor, and shaving every two days is pretty routine right?
I'm going to shave my head in the next 2 days by a barber and we'll see how it goes after.
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How often you shave depends on you. I find if I shave everyday it cuts down irritation to nothing, if I shave every second day I get irritation. Whereas some people it's the other way around. You need to find out what works for you. Same with blades I hate Mach 3 but love fusion, same goes for gel/soaps etc.
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A Mach 3 razor, and shaving every two days is pretty routine right?
I'm going to shave my head in the next 2 days by a barber and we'll see how it goes after.
Many of us shave every day beacuse we like the smoothness that results. You'll be surprised how fast your hair grows. The stubble by the end of the day can be annoying - taking off a sweater or t-shirt is like hitting velcro. A Mach 3 or Fusiion both work very well. Just take your time and don't apply too much pressure to the razor.
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Last question...
Is it really that big of a noticeable difference between using a razor and electric razor on how your baldness looks?
A good electric shaver like the Panasonics will get you a very close shave and the look will not be much different from a razor, but the feel will be very different. Electric Shavers can't get as close a blade, so you will always feel a little roughness after you shave with an electric.
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I would go with the Mach 3
A Mach 3 razor, and shaving every two days is pretty routine right?
I'm going to shave my head in the next 2 days by a barber and we'll see how it goes after.
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Start with a Mach 3 to get the hang of it, then decide whether to go to electric, double- edge safety razors, or the headblade. I've done each and settled on the headblade abut 2 years ago. I use gilette sensor excel blades and go through 1 per week. I buy then off amazon in 10 packs for about 17 or so per pack. Not the cheapest, but one heck of a good shave.
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My barber convinced me instead of shaving it off to get a 2 on top..it's super short right now and I look better with short hair than long hair. I might just go with the 2 until my crown starts balding more...I look better with short hair than long hair, so I shouldn't look too different bald than with short hair? Most people don't look much different in terms of looks when it comes to short hair vs bald?
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It's all in what you like.....As far as your barber's suggestion, some barbers try to help their customers, others may fear losing a customer....In your case, if you like the number 2, you can go with that for now until your balding becomes more pronounced...but if you can post a photo, we can give you even better advice.
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Just tried the Fusion Proglide power and after a couple of shaves i have to admit it is the best i have tried do far
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like you I was worried about the cost of blades.
I started with clippers. but they seemed to get dull every 3-6 months. I'd buy new clippers or parts when they got dull and found myself spending about $80 for clippers each year.
I figured I was shaving my face with the mach 3 turbo so why not shave the head with it too. But I burned through mach blades quickly (cartridge every 1.5 to 2 weeks). On a good day, I could get mach 3 turbo blades for about $2 per cartridge.
I finally turned to the headblade sport. my experience is that I found I got a better shave with the sport than I did with the mach 3 (but YMMV). I shave my head every day except weekends and each cartridge lasts me about 3 weeks to a month. especially since there's deals out there (like the headblade power pack), Tripleblades can be as low as $1.80 a cartridge. So I'd spend about $22-$25 a year on headblade cartridges that gave me a better shave than the Mach and was cheaper than the clippers (for me anyway).
I also started with clippers and then went to the Headblade Sport.
If you plan to move to Headblade products and want to use the Sport (superior to the ATX IMHO), then don't use a stick razor first. Seems that most have trouble moving from a stick to the Sport and opt for the ATX instead.
I would suggest that is you do go that route, watch the videos from Headblade and follow their example - makes it really easy. Keep a little pressure over the wheels only is the most important tip.
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I started 4 years ago and used a Cheap electric Wahl beard trimmer . Then went to the Headblade Sport with double edge atra blades from Dollar General $1.50 for 6 I have been using the Headblade for 3 years and I agree with the previous post that the sport is superior to the Atx
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Try shaving razors and shaving cream/gel for sensitive skin
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I started shaving in 1996, went from long hair to Bald and loved it, since then Ive tried many different combos and brands, and this is my ritual so far shower, shave oil, headslick, shave, rinse head off, exfoliate, rinse head again, then moisturize. if i shave every day i get less iritation, even though headslick is a great product the shave oil applied to my head first causes even less friction, i wont shave without it. Ive been using this dome care product, its called anti-aging serum, its an oil used after shaving. it comes in a 1 ounce bottle than will run ya 50 bones but a little goes a long way, ive been using it every day at the recomended use and ive had the same bottle for 6 months with more left. I gotta tell yopu its awesome. Anyways its all what you want and how comfortable you feel with being Bald, hope this helps. Bald is always best!
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thats a great routine you got there. Might try some of those products.
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Yea, try it and let me know what you think.
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Just use a Gillette Sensor with a good quality shave cream and do it every 2-3 days. That's not too much of a burden for maintenance in my opinion. If you try a safety razor or a cut-throat, you'll spend a LONG time in the bathroom man. Yeah...you could buy suck ass disposables but you won't get a good shave, and that's why the prices for cartriges are outrageous because they know they can charge that price.