Notes on Shaving Your Own Head

Here are a few helpful tips you might need should you decide to shave your own head:

A) Electric clippers are vital if it’s been a few weeks since your last shave.  It’s not as easy as you might think to perform this first step yourself, however.  If you can, get someone to run the clippers over your scalp for you.

B) From the back of the neck, move the clippers forward with firm pressure.  Don’t press too firmly: just enough to cut the hair.  Go in overlapping strokes toward the top of the head.  From the sides, go from the front to the back.  From the top and front, also go toward the back.  You may have to pause from time to time to clear the clippers of excess hair.

C) Once you’re finished with the clippers, moisten your scalp and run a towel over it to remove loose hairs.  Re-moisten with hot water, then apply your favorite shaving gel or cream to your entire scalp.  Don’t forget to get by your ears and the back of your neck.  Let it soak in a minute or two and soften the stubble.

D) This part is very important: use a fresh blade in your razor.  Don’t borrow your wife’s leg-shaving razor unless you put in new blades.  Success in cutting anything is dependent upon blade sharpness.

E) Go in short, smooth strokes.  You will be tempted to use long strokes of the razor, but as the skull is a much bumpier, more uneven surface than it appears, you will have poor results.  Overlap several times, like shaving the face.  There will be a lot of scraping involved, as well as some small discomfort.  This is natural.

F) Once you’re certain you’re finished, rinse off your head, dry it, and give it a good look in the mirror.  It’s possible you missed a few spots, which is fine.  Just re-apply shaving gel or cream and go over them again.  A second, hand-held mirror to look at the back and top of your head helps greatly.

G) Scalp wounds tend to bleed a great deal.  It’s possible that you have nicked yourself in the process of shaving.  Make sure you rinse out the cuts with clean water, and if you can, dab on a little antibacterial ointment. 

H) Get someone to admire your new coif and point out any spots you may have missed.