Many men look great with shaved heads. If you’ve never done it before, strongly consider letting a barber do the initial head shave. Barbers have the tools and lotions to do this properly, reducing the risk of irritating a scalp that is not used to being shaved. A barber also can confirm that the hairless look will work esthetically for your head (it might not if, for example, you have a bumpy skull or scalp…a neck that’s unusually long or short…or ears that are large or oddly mounted).
Most men shave their heads every few days, so even if you go to a barber at first, you eventually will want to shave your own head. Here’s how…
Prep your scalp. Use a trimmer to cut your hair to between one-sixteenth and one-eighth of an inch in length if it is longer. (A #1 guard should leave a one-sixteenth-inch length, but refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.) Apply a shaving cream or gel to your scalp. Then, with the cream or gel on, apply a series of two or three hand towels that have been soaked with hot water and wrung out. Leave each towel on until it has cooled.
Shave. Re-lather your scalp with shaving cream or gel. Position your razor at the crown of your head—the highest point—and shave forward toward your forehead. Then return to the crown and shave another path away from it, slightly overlapping your first stroke. Continue in this manner until your entire head is shaved. Shaving crown-down reduces the risk for nicks and irritation.
A safety razor is best for most men, though a straight razor is fine if you have experience using one. Grip the razor firmly, but let it glide gently on your scalp—firmer pressure makes nicks more likely.
Helpful: Mount a shaving mirror in your bathroom where you can view its reflection in your main bathroom mirror. Then you can see the back of your head as you shave. Most men master shaving their heads sight unseen within a few months, but until then this second mirror will be very handy.
Finish. Rinse your shaven scalp, then apply an astringent or a skin toner to close the pores—witch hazel is good for most men. Finally, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion. Example: The Art of Shaving After-Shave Lotion (TheArtOfShaving.com, $40 for 3.3 ounces).
