Apparently having a shaved head is a trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is having a shaved head during a quarantine a thing?
I guess all the time spent at home has given people the need (desire?) to sport a summer haircut before summer’s official arrival.
The good thing about shaving your head at home is that you have time for it to grow back if you don’t like the look.
The first time I shaved my head, I did it at Christmas during time off work. I figured I had a few weeks for it to grow back if things didn’t work out.
I still shave my head 20+ years later so I guess it turned out ok.
How To Pull off The Shaved Head Look
Here are some tips to to get the shaved head look without the associated side effects which we’ll also discuss below…
Get a good razor
Perhaps you already have a favorite brand. For the first few times you shave your head, I’d start with a brand new razor that you haven’t used before rather than reusing one you’ve used already on your face to ensure it isn’t dull.
These days, I use the same razor interchangeably for both my head and face. To start with you might want to try different razors; one strictly for your face and one for your head.
Your skin will tell you when the razor needs to be replaced. Over time you will go from having a smooth shaving feeling to pressing down harder to shave which is not good. You’ll want to replace the blade by then.
Razor Replacement
Razor companies tell you to replace a razor after a few uses. Then they can sell more of them. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve replaced a razor with less than a dozen shaves in my life.
And most of my razors these days I use a lot longer than that. On both my face and head. That’s just me. You’ll find out what works best for you with experience.
I generally used twin or triple blade razors although I can’t say I’m really fussed or obsessed about it. I often try a new brand if it’s on sale to see how it works.
I’ve personally never used an old-style straight razor that you often see in the old western movies so I cannot comment on them. I have no idea how good they are but they appear to be something you might want to try only after you’ve got some head shaving experience under your belt already.
Get A Decent Shaving Cream
As with the razors, I’m not fussed about a particular brand or style. You can get foam or gel. I generally use foam.
Understand when you go with the cheapest brands of shaving cream, you often notice it in the result. In my experience the cheaper brands often don’t foam up as much and you need to use more to lather up.
On more than one occasion I purchased a cheap shaving cream brand and the moment I sprayed some in my hand, I knew that it was an inferior product just by the feel and lack of thick foam.
Trim Your Hair First
Depending on how long your hair is, you will want to trim or cut your hair before shaving it. If you have clippers, use the lowest setting first to cut your hair down to the shortest available length.
You could use hair scissors if you have no trimmer or clipper handy.
Of course, by using clippers first you can also get an idea of how you look with very short hair.
Think crew cut short.
Then if you are ok with the look, you can take the final step to shave the remainder off completely. If you’re happy the way things are after the clippers, you might decide to keep the crew cut look and retain a bit of hair! You’ll still save on gel and shampoo…
Wet Your Hair
I always shave in the shower. I’m used to not using a mirror so I’m perfectly fine with doing so and not being able to see what I’m doing.
For your first few attempts, you might want to be in front of a mirror just in case…
A few years into my shaved head journey, I was in the shower shaving the side of my head and accidentally sliced the top of my left ear.
Bled pretty good.
And since it was at the extremity of a body part, it was hard to clot. I had to wear a bandaid to stop the bleeding.
I told someone at work about it the next day when they asked about the bandaid. They had a good memory because when I quit the company awhile later, one of the parting gifts she bought me was a big plastic ear and a first aid kit.
I haven’t sliced my ear badly since then but I have cut my head many times. It happens.
Apply Shaving Cream or Gel
After your hair is wet but not soaking, you can apply the shaving cream.
Apply enough to cover the area you’re shaving but don’t over do it. The shaving cream is only there to act as a lubricant between your skin and razor.
You’re not icing a cake.
Plus you don’t want to waste it as then you’re literally putting money down the drain.
Small Strokes, Go Slow, Rinse, Repeat
Especially when shaving your head for the first time, take small strokes and be gentle. Don’t press the razor too hard.
Go slowly. It’s not a race although admittedly I need to take my own advice. I do often shave my head like I’m trying to set the land speed record.
Rinse the razor regularly under running water. I’m not a fill-the-sink-and-shake-the-blade-in-the-water-guy. I rinse the blade under running water as it helps to dislodge hairs stuck in there before they dry. The hairs are really hard to get out once they get clogged.
Reapply shaving cream if needed to affected areas.
That’s pretty much it as far as the process goes.
After the shave
I rarely use aftershave or any sort of moisturizing cream on my head after shaving. I just never got into it. I’ve tried it a few times but I’m not sure it helped or not.
I still get oily skin even at my age so I don’t think I need to be adding moisturizer but you might decide otherwise for yourself.
Perhaps I’ll change in the future but I don’t use anything currently.
Head Shaving Frequency
I generally shave my head every 2 days.
You can shave your head every day if you like. I often do that, especially during the summer or on a trip when I know I’ll be wearing sunscreen.
Sunscreen on a partially shaved head = messy and a bit of a pain, IMO.
I discovered that a smooth, freshly shaved head is much easier to apply sunscreen to.
I find that if I wait until day 3 to shave my head again, it is a bit more difficult as by then, the hair has had a chance to grow back and becomes slightly harder to shave.
Head Shaving Pitfalls
Some things to watch out for….
Once you cut your head shaving, you’re going to want to avoid shaving that specific area for around a week. Maybe you heal quicker but that’s about the time it takes for me. If you shave over the affected area too quickly, you’ll just reopen the cut and bleed again.
The same is true for acne, moles, etc. Once you cut one of them, you’ll need to avoid the area until it heals.
If you start getting small bumps on your head (zits basically), it might be due to sensitive skin or ingrown hairs. In this case you may consider buying a shaving cream for sensitive skin, replacing used razors more frequently and switching razor brands.
If you tend to get ingrown hairs, you’ll want to ensure you replace razor blades regularly as sharper is better.
But Wait! What About Electric Shavers!!??
What about shaving your head with an electric shaver?
Tried it, didn’t like it.
I’ve tried shaving my head with an electric shaver a number of times. I used to bring it with me when I travelled. I figured I could shave my head with an electric shaver a few times when away for a few days or a week.
In my experience, shaving my head with an electric shaver:
- takes more time
- takes more effort
- doesn’t shave as close as a blade
So I tend to avoid it if I can.
Conclusion
- Having a shaved head during a quarantine is a great way to test out a look while you’re on your own. If it doesn’t work you have time for the hair to grow back.
- Trim your hair with clippers and ensure you have the right equipment before you shave your head for the first time: a good, new razor and decent shaving cream.
- Wet your hair first. A hot shower is good to moisten the scalp and hair before shaving your head.
- I shave my head in the shower but the first few times you might want to do it in front of a mirror until you get comfortable.
- A manual razor in my opinion gets a closer shave and is quicker than using an electric shaver. While a razor is more likely to cut you, it’s more efficient and easier to use to shave your head, in my experience.
Are you considering a shaved head during a quarantine? Why not?! Have you already done it? Let us know in the comments below.