Maybe It's Just Not Meant To Be....

[RoRo]

Soo, today is my last day taking Keflex, an antibiotic I was put on for infected ingrown hairs I continuously picked for a week or two. I've been shaving for almost a whole year, but recently, in the last 2 months, ingrown hairs have reared their ugly selves, causing a bumpy head for me. I had to wear a band-aid to graduation!

Anyways, I think I'm giving up shaving myself. It's convenient and all, but after almost a whole year, I still haven't managed to get a routine that doesn't irritate my head. After I heal up all the way, I'm gonna go to the barber for a shave and see what that does.

I'll readily admit, I hadn't even shaved anything before on my body before I shaved my head. I'm a pretty smooth guy, haha. I guess I could always just get it cut bald, but I prefer the smoothness achieved from a razor. If I have a sensitive head, and decide to go for the straight razor, is there any chance it'll turn out differently from shaving it myself?

[mouse404]

ive never had a barber shave, but supposedly shaving with the blade lookin thing lol, will get a pretty close shave even with the grain, wish u luck.

and have u tried the gillette fusion? i was gettin ready to give up shaving but then i tried the gillette fusion and its amazing.

right now i go with and against the grain in the shower with the gillette fusion using "the art of shaving" cream...great stuff has no fragrance or alcohol.  i shave my head every other day using a good shaving brush also and in between shaves i exfoliate with st. ives apricot scrub.  i follow up with witch hazel and some lubriderm....all that other stuff(bump stopper. bump patrol) actually is bad for you because it only reduces the look of the bump short term but actually leads to spreading more bumps.

[Tyler]

Hey RoRo, what have you tried for routines so far?  What razors, pre-shave, shaving cream/gel/oil and other stuff have you used?

[GaryT]

I'm with Tyler and Mouse on this one. Let us know your shave routine or what products you've tried. Many times that's all it is. Some irratating product you're using. SO, let us know and we'll see if we can help even more.

[RoRo]

OK. I'll go through the phases I tried:

Phase 1 -  First couple months - I'd wait too long between shaves, maybe 2 weeks or so. Then I'd trip with clippers, and shave with a disposable Sensitive 3 Blade Gillette and Sensitive Gillette Shaving Cream.  This was fine at first, I'd just wash it and moisturize with Palmers Cocoa Butter. I really had no idea what else to use. Irritation seemed to be minimal, but I hated regrowth and wanted to shave more often. Also, only shaved with the grain.

Phase 2 - Tried to shave every other day, which worked well at first but irritation increased. I'd started using a Gillette Fusion, with the Fusion shaving gel. I tried to use Bump Stopper for the bumps, which seemed fine at first, but over time seemed least effective. I also started shaving with the grain at first, and then going over against, because it gave a closer shave.

In Phase 2 I tried alcohol and cold water rinses after shaving also, which seemed to help, but with continued shaving, became less effective. I've tried shaving in the shower, washing with a sensitive face wash and everything. Again, I think it may have something to do with my inexperience with razors and the fact that I STILL do not like using them. Also, I have a horrible habit of picking at things.

[Tyler]

Ok, here's what I suggest.

Continue to use the Fusion, but make sure you change the blade every week.  Pick a day like Monday and change it on that day.

You also need to get some good shaving cream/oil.  I recommend either Citizen Smooth (http://www.CitizenSmooth.com) or Pacific Shaving Oil (http://www.pacificshaving.com).    You should also try Shave Secret which is available at Walmart or at http://www.ShaveSecret.com.  The reason that I recommend these is that they will provide you good protection while shaving.

Rinse with cold water.  Then continue with the Bump Stopper. 

Shave every day or every other day, but don't go longer without shaving.

This should help you out.

[mouse404]

RoRo, stay with the fusion and use "the art of shaving cream"...it has no fragrance or alcohol

Trust me on this...its the best shaving cream out there...

try my routine...i was in a similar situation as u

[Tyler]

RoRo, stay with the fusion and use "the art of shaving cream"...it has no fragrance or alcohol

Trust me on this...its the best shaving cream out there...

I'll have to head to the Art of Shaving store down the road and check that out.

[RoRo]

Ok, I'll pick up the new shaving cream and try it. I'm still not shaving for a while because my head is still healing, but thanks for the feedback guys.

[geoguy]

Hi there

I haven't been sly very long, but my facial skin is sensitive, so I have had a few years of personal experimentation as well.   

Also, before you start shaving, use a mild non-abrasive facial scrub/ soap to clean the skin on your head.  I use Dove- face scrub.  This is mild and works well.  I need to do this for shaving my beard, so it might help for the dome too...  ( I believe impurities on the skin can maybe increase irritation)

Just a thought...

Good luck, and you can trust the guys' opinions...

GeoGuy

[RoRo]

So, I went to the barber today. Surprise surprise, all of them didn't use a straight razor anymore, they used a Fusion. He warmed my head up with a towel, threw on some cream (I should've asked what it was), did more toweling, taking some of the cream off and shaved it with the grain for the most part. He kinda went fast, or at least faster than what I do, but that's because I'm still sort of scared of the razor.

He rubbed me down with an aftershave and that was it. Head feels fine, no cuts or irritation. He went over some things I might've been doing wrong when shaving and I'm sort of confident I can do it again. I just don't know when I should shave it again and what to use to moisturize it....

[warhawk]

I'm sort of confident I can do it again. I just don't know when I should shave it again and what to use to moisturize it....

hey roro: i'm glad that your barber helped ya out with keeping your chrome dome.  since the fusion worked... i say stick with that weapon.  as far as using cream or gel,  apply shave secret oil, then BALDGUYZ shaving gel.  as far as moisturizer, i use BALDGUYZ moisturizer.  hope this helps.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[warhawk]

hey roro:  on a side note,  u can get the shave secret oil @ walmart & the BALDGUYZ shaving gel & moisturizer @ walgreens.

WARHAWK

[DogStar Guy]

He rubbed me down with an aftershave and that was it. Head feels fine, no cuts or irritation. He went over some things I might've been doing wrong when shaving and I'm sort of confident I can do it again. I just don't know when I should shave it again and what to use to moisturize it....

I think shaving more often makes for an easier shave.
Depending on how first yours grows I would NOT suggest less frequently than every other day.
In fact if you want to "maintain" daily is highly recommended.

Plus practice makes perfect (or damn close). I did have an accident today, discussed elsewhere.
I have been shaving my dome for 6.5 weeks and I shave nearly every day. I missed 4 days in that time.
And once I did the 2 shaves in a day. Made the next morning shave a breeze.

But I don't think I want to shave twice a day as a routine, although at least a couple of guys around here do.

Let us know what your routine develops into.

Eric

[stoic1975]

Hey roro,

Might I suggest you consider an electric shaver.  I've got sensitive skin and got razor burn a few times shaving with my fusion.  i bought a panasonic wet/dry and it's the bomb.

No razorburn and a really close shave.

Good luck!

Brett