Day 4

• Day 4 by junglephone on 17 Sep, 2010 07:59
• I'm only at day 4 so I understand that my scalp is probably somewhat traumatized. I seem to be getting bumps where the hair growth is the most dense. I shave with and then against the grain, HB then Fusion.
  
  My scalp gets very oily and I wash several times a day. Using Neutragena stuff (I forget the names at the moment) to exfoliate and wash which works well. I use witch hazel after shaving.
  
  I know there is a school of thought that says never shave ATG. The thing is, if I don't shave ATG, I don't get smooth. My hair is thick so it puts up a fight. No amount of hot water, steam, or washing softens it up beyond a certain point. If I were to only shave WTG, would the closeness/smoothness improve over time as the scalp adapts? Is there a razor that does a particularly good job WTG? The HB when used as directed does not do it (for me at least). I'm thinking about checking out the M5. The Fusion...I'm not convinced.
  
  
  
  
• #1 by D.A.L.U.I. on 17 Sep, 2010 09:01
• Although a lot of guys are really happy with the HB, it wasn't for me.  I have used the Fusion and M5 with great success--and few nicks--none serious.  I find to soften up the stubble, I use shampoo, Mane n' Tail, as well as their conditioner--on the face fuzz and the scalp.  I don't rinse it off the scalp either.  Then, shaving at the sink I add shaving oil, baby or Shave Secret, then Headslick.  I give it a couple of passes with the M5, with and against the grain, then hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad after rinsing well with warm/hot water then cold.  I also use a small amount of benzoyl peroxide and a similar amount of hydrocortizine lotions--creams don't seem to soak in--before my after shave balm of choice, Nivea Extreme.  This may seem overkill  but I've had bad skin ever since puberty and this somewhat elaborate treatment keeps the dome clean and clear.  I think you're on point with the Neutrogena soap, I use Cuticura, but their both mild anti-acne and keep the problems at bay.  It's worked for me.
• #2 by TGB1 on 17 Sep, 2010 09:29
• Just continue to explore and you will find what works for you. The bumps could be ingrown hairs since they are in your heavy growth areas. Sometimes giving them a few days to grow out helps.
• #3 by reb123161 on 17 Sep, 2010 18:02
• I always shave ATG......the Head Blade wasn't for me, either.  Find what you like and then you will probably change it a bit!  LOL!   
• #4 by BaldWriterBob on 17 Sep, 2010 22:43
• Saintc's advice is the plan I would follow to start with.
• #5 by junglephone on 20 Sep, 2010 16:11
• So I decided it was time to take a break today. I've made all the noob mistakes . My head now has a lovely case of bumps and a couple of nicks. Fine, no problem, I can take it, I'm nowhere near giving up.
  
  So I'm thinking, to turn this thing around, I'm going to start with a fresh blade. Got a 4-pack of HB triples and from the look of things, I can get four days before blade failure. When these are used up, I might try some form of doubles.
  
  Most importantly, I think I'll just go WTG for a while. I know there's the school that says I should always do that and I'm going to see how it goes. My hair is tough and it seems like WTG will never get me totally smooth. I'm not feeling' the stubble look. My goal is supreme smoothness. Some of you cats have prodigious domes. Gives me something to work towards. I'm going to try and be patient, difficult as that may be, and just take it slow.
  
  I'll start up again tomorrow. Sly in training, over and out.
  
  
  
  
• #6 by rcg5227 on 20 Sep, 2010 18:10
• I had all kinds of bumps and cuts when I first started shaving my head. I would get that bumped, cut, and so much irritation, I'd have to wait two weeks and have my hair all clippered off. I started shaving my head in 2006, but only during summertime. As time went on I learned to develope a techinque that woud not cause me to get irriation. I started using my wife's women's razors and her shaving cream. That seemed to give me a perfectly shaven head with little or no irritation. I started using a headblade in mid-summer when my sister-in-law bought me one for my birthday. At first it was a compete disaster. It would give me massive cuts and severe irritation. Eventally, I turned the blade around and started bought women's sensor blades. Mostly, I use women's shaving cream, but I did find Nivea for men and decided to give that a try. I found that a few days ago at a retail surplus store for $1 can. So far it has worked great. My wife even used it on her legs and really liked the results. I plan on returning to that store and getting a few more cans of it, if they still have any.
• #7 by Magoo on 20 Sep, 2010 19:41
• Try shaving wtg for awhile and forget the ultra smooth feel.Give your scalp a chance to adjust to being shaved.After a time then try atg.I found atg not working for me, plus it takes twice as long to shave.