Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: lizardguy on March 05, 2015, 09:21:15 AM

Title: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: lizardguy on March 05, 2015, 09:21:15 AM
Hey everyone, so i'm new to both the website and shaving my head (been shaving about two weeks now).  Just got done shaving, and I've been noticing that as I shave, especially on the sides and back, I have little pinpricks of blood that begin to appear on my head.  Any way to stop this?
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: gwsmallwood on March 05, 2015, 09:56:14 AM
My guess is that your skin is dehydrated.  That's usually the case for me when I start getting nicks.  Ingrown hairs can also be the culprit, but those should be obvious. 

You might try using a moisturizer once or twice a day.  Maybe consider a pre-shave oil that will help moisturize the skin right before shaving.  I actually use Corn Husker's Lotion before I shave.  It's water and glycerine-based, so it's just like an extra hydrating layer of soap.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: lizardguy on March 05, 2015, 10:21:14 AM
Thanks, i'll have to try that.  What I do right now, just before putting shaving cream on and grabbing my razor, is I take a small towel and run it under steaming hot water, then ring it out and rub it on my head for 30 seconds or so.  I've heard this helps, but is it maybe doing more bad than good?
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: SlyMike on March 05, 2015, 12:34:05 PM
What you are doing is opening the pores with the towel, it's supposed to help with the shave - I think it makes it closer.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: gwsmallwood on March 05, 2015, 03:59:49 PM
What you are doing is opening the pores with the towel, it's supposed to help with the shave - I think it makes it closer.

Common misconception.  Pores do not open.  Hot water will make skin swell, which might make it slightly more pliable.  My understanding of the hot towel treatment (Google Kyle's Prep) is that its purpose is to soften the hair.  Definitely not a bad thing to be doing, and I don't think that is contributing to the weepers.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: lizardguy on March 05, 2015, 05:29:05 PM
What would you say is the best moisturizer for me to use?  Sorry, pretty new at this, just looking for opinions from people who know what they're talking about. :)
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: 120inna55 on March 06, 2015, 05:05:55 AM
...I actually use Corn Husker's Lotion before I shave.  It's water and glycerine-based, so it's just like an extra hydrating layer of soap.
Is Corn Husker's non-comedogenic?
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: gwsmallwood on March 06, 2015, 10:45:41 AM
...I actually use Corn Husker's Lotion before I shave.  It's water and glycerine-based, so it's just like an extra hydrating layer of soap.
Is Corn Husker's non-comedogenic?

Should be.  Primary ingredients are Water and Glycerine, no oils.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: greatnessinc on March 07, 2015, 11:13:28 AM
In those sensitive areas shave with the grain not against, also minimize the pressure you use on your blade.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: SlyMike on March 07, 2015, 11:50:35 AM
What you are doing is opening the pores with the towel, it's supposed to help with the shave - I think it makes it closer.

Common misconception.  Pores do not open.  Hot water will make skin swell, which might make it slightly more pliable.  My understanding of the hot towel treatment (Google Kyle's Prep) is that its purpose is to soften the hair.  Definitely not a bad thing to be doing, and I don't think that is contributing to the weepers.

I have to admit I hadn't realised that was what it does, thanks for the clarification.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: lizardguy on March 07, 2015, 12:25:41 PM
In those sensitive areas shave with the grain not against, also minimize the pressure you use on your blade.

The problem I have shaving with the grain is that it doesn't get as smooth as it would when I shave against the grain.  I'll try to put less pressure on the blade today.  Thanks!
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: Magoo on March 07, 2015, 03:33:29 PM
In those sensitive areas shave with the grain not against, also minimize the pressure you use on your blade.

The problem I have shaving with the grain is that it doesn't get as smooth as it would when I shave against the grain.  I'll try to put less pressure on the blade today.  Thanks!

What your saying is true , but shaving atg for new shavers sometimes is to harsh on the scalp. Give the skin time to toughen up. Just go with the grain for a few weeks.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: geddyflea on March 07, 2015, 06:18:18 PM
What Greatnessinc said - this happens to me usually after I've skipped a day of shaving.  I've found that lightening my touch pretty much solves this problem.  And I mean go light - let the blade to the work and just skim your head.  When i shave everyday this isn't as much of an issue. I might also suggest trying a shaving oil.
Title: Re: How to avoid the little pinpricks of blood while shaving your head?
Post by: lizardguy on March 08, 2015, 06:30:07 AM
If I just continue to shave against the grain, will my scalp eventually toughen up?