Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: hondo11 on March 31, 2015, 09:19:47 AM

Title: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: hondo11 on March 31, 2015, 09:19:47 AM
Shaved for the 2nd time today. 1st time was Sunday night. This one was waaay worse than the first. I just bought some Nivea  Shave Defense gel that was absolute garbage. It foamed up really nice but then dried out and disappeared if around 45 seconds. And my head was wet fresh out of the shower. I put a brand new dollar shave club executive blade on and started shaving. Talk about being butchered!!! It burned like crazy!!!! Nicks all over and couldn't get it smooth to save my life either. Then when I went to rinse my head off, it felt like I was pouring liquid fire on my head. The best thing that happened, besides the shave ending, was putting on the Nivea shave defense lotion. That seemed to calm it down a lot. My wife doesn't want me buying a headblade and the more expensive stuff (ie Bee Bald ect) until I've completed the 90 days. But I'm not going to make it even 1 more shave if it's going to be like this again.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: SlyMike on March 31, 2015, 11:35:30 AM
What sort of shaving stuff do you use to shave your face?
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: TheSlyBear on March 31, 2015, 01:59:36 PM
Yeah, if you use products that aren't working for you...

I think it's a bit unreasonable for your wife to say "you can't buy any products that work until you prove that they work". A bit of circular reasoning there.

That said, I wouldn't recommend the head blade in any case. Use what you are used to using on your face.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: K5mow on March 31, 2015, 03:23:47 PM
Try some good quality shaving cream and a brush and a Gillette fusion. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Roger
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: hondo11 on March 31, 2015, 04:15:07 PM
I've been using dollar shave club 6 blade executive and Dr. Carver's Shave Butter on my face. I think that one of my issues is that the razor is awkward in my hand trying to get everywhere on my head. That actually might be part of the nick issue. And my wife wants me to make sure that I'm going to keep doing this before I spend money on it.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: -Doug- on March 31, 2015, 05:31:06 PM
I'd suggest trying a different razor. I've heard mixed reviews on dollar shave club razors. Also, just because it works on your face, it may react differently on your head.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: mrzed on March 31, 2015, 06:43:42 PM
OK, for the new guy.

1. Shave WITH the grain.
2. Take your time.
3. Short strokes
4. Slow strokes
5. The Gillette Fusion or Schick Hydro 5 seemed to work well for me.
6. WITH the grain.

Don't be disappointed if at first the head is not ultra smooth.  That will come. You've got some tender spots there which need to get used to it.

How long did you take for your initial shaves?  My first head shave was probably 45 minutes.  Take your time.
Your timing will got much faster as you get used to the technique.

After you have success with the WITH the grain, try some AGAINST the grain, but if it hurts or seems to snag, take it easy.

I'd suggest not skipping days during your first month.  One day's growth comes off pretty easily.  Several days worth is much harder to shave off.  Even now, for me, after 3 years, if I skip a few days, it's a much harder shave than if I shave daily.  There's a lot less to do if you keep up with it daily.  Again, take it easy. Don't scrape your head raw. 
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: Derris The Barber on April 01, 2015, 08:46:39 AM
Hey sir, sorry to hear about your shaving experience. I'm a barber and I would love to help you out and help you get a smooth, nick free headshave. Let me know. I will be glad to help you out.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: Goatee on April 01, 2015, 01:13:07 PM
You need to get a quality razor. I use a Mach 3. Great razor.

Next you need a nice shaving brush, a bowl and some decent Soap or cream. I use a skin sensitive one.

Wet head really well with hot water. Maybe use a hot wet flannel on head.

Lather up the soap / cream and apply to head. Now, you need to go with the grain first. After each stroke swill razor and then shave the next bit.

DONT GO OVER ANY SECTION WITHOUT FRESH LATHER BEING PUT ON IT FIRST!!

After one pass, re lather and go against the grain. Doing above.

You may find that you will need several passes. Dont press too hard. Let the blade do the work. Dont repeatedly go over and over the same spot! This will cause problems.

Once finished, rinse head with cold water.

I apply 'Bump Patrol' which burns a little but helps with spots etc and then Witch Hazel.

Check out the many videos online about shaving.

Most important point is not to continually shave one area and not to go over it unless you have soap/cream applied to that area!!

Take your time and enjoy. It is a learning curve. I could never shave my head in 5 mins like one of the posters above!!
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: hondo11 on April 02, 2015, 03:16:57 PM
Shave #3 went much better. I told the wife that I was buying a headblade and did. She was fine with it. Still had nicks but I think that I just renicked my old nicks. Took me 16 minutes wit the headblade and my normal DSC Executive 6 blade. My 9 year old son wants his head shaved now :-) I' not touching him with a razor, but I'll buzz him good. 
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: mrzed on April 02, 2015, 04:02:32 PM
 My 9 year old son wants his head shaved now :-) I'm not touching him with a razor, but I'll buzz him good. 

Good chuckle. 

I like the headblade.  You are 10% of the way to 30 shaves.  Be encouraged.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: SlyMike on April 02, 2015, 04:47:49 PM
Shave #3 went much better. I told the wife that I was buying a headblade and did. She was fine with it. Still had nicks but I think that I just renicked my old nicks. Took me 16 minutes wit the headblade and my normal DSC Executive 6 blade. My 9 year old son wants his head shaved now :-) I' not touching him with a razor, but I'll buzz him good. 

Gllad to hear things are working out for you, it is definitely a learning curve shaving your head.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: -Doug- on April 03, 2015, 06:18:04 AM
It will keep getting better hondo. The more you do it the more you will refine your process and the more your scalp will get used to it.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: Goatee on April 03, 2015, 11:29:21 AM
6 blade cartridge is overkill as far as i am concerned and most of those blades drag the hairs and cause aggravation!
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: K5mow on April 04, 2015, 05:50:21 AM
Like others of said you will only keep getting better.

Roger
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: hondo11 on April 06, 2015, 08:13:59 AM
So I've already ditched the headblade. Cut myself pretty good with it and it's just too small and awkward for my liking. It's funny how hard the regular razor was to use until I tried the headblade and now the regular razor is easy peasy. The only issue I have is trying not to nick my scab from the the headblade cut. But I've been shaving every day as advised and that has made a HUGE difference.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: TheSlyBear on April 06, 2015, 08:39:15 AM
Good news! Hang in there. Pretty soon you'll be able to do it without even thinking about it much.
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: Tyler on July 03, 2015, 02:22:46 AM
It has been a couple months.  How is the shave going now?
Title: Re: Don't know if I will make it 30 days
Post by: Goatee on July 03, 2015, 12:58:23 PM
Time is a great healer. Hope u still shaving