In Jorge Luis Borges' story, "On Exactitude in Science," cartography in the described country is so advanced that only the most detailed of maps would suffice—a map of the same size as the country itself, at a 1:1 scale. It's clear that such a map doesn't provide any new information, as it's merely a copy of what already exists. This situation is actually an illusion: the illusion that more information leads to better decisions.
Let's say you have a diagnostic kit, and this test comes back positive for disease X and negative for disease Y. However, if the patient has disease A, the test results in positive half the time and negative the other half. As a doctor, would you recommend this test? Most doctors asked this question would recommend the test, even though the information gained from it isn't significant. Let's say the test result is positive. In this case, the probability of disease A is still much higher than that of disease X. The additional information provided by the test is completely useless in the decision-making process.
It's not just doctors who desire to gather information, even if it's insignificant. Administrators and investors are also outright addicted to information in this sense. Even if crucial data has already been laid out, aren't additional studies, and then another, frequently requested? Too much information is not only unnecessary but can also be a disadvantage. Which city has a larger population? San Diego or San Antonio?
Let's save the answer for the end of the article if you wish. But what about head shaving?
The more you know, the better.
Is Shaving a Solution for Thinning Hair?
First, let's start by answering a common cliché question. If the purpose of head shaving is to grow hair, please don't do it. This urban legend is comparable to the idea that shaving a hairless area on your face will make hair grow, similar to beard shaving. Both are two major urban legends in the world of shaving, and neither is true.
Your hair and beard follicles depend on your age and genetic background. Shaving too often only makes your beard and head hair stiffer. If you're shaving areas where there's no hair just to make it grow, I regret to say you're only scraping your skin. This won't help your hair grow more.
Generally, the goal of head shaving should be to create a new image and style. There are indeed people it suits well. Head shaving, which includes many shaving rituals, basically comes with 3 different options.
How to Shave Your Head?
- Head Shaving with a Straight Razor (Steel and disposable blade razor)
- Head Shaving with a Classic Razor (Safety Razor)
- Head Shaving with a Cartridge Razor
Head Shaving with a Straight Razor
In this method, which we can examine in two separate categories: disposable blade or steel straight razors, wrist dexterity is of great importance. If you haven't used a disposable blade or steel straight razor on your face before, I definitely do not recommend it. If you don't have the support of a mirror and also lack wrist dexterity (guide), you are bound to encounter undesirable results on the scalp, which is more uneven than the face. Furthermore, considering the increased cutting surface and the number of hairs to be cut, it's clear that both your steel and disposable blade straight razors will dull quickly.
If you insist on using a steel/disposable blade straight razor, it's beneficial to practice without inserting a blade first. While doing these practice runs, I recommend holding it with your thumb and index finger, and letting your remaining three fingers glide over your scalp to guide you.
After the initial process where I recommend shaving only from top to bottom, you can do 3 passes: straight down from top to bottom, against the grain, and from the sides. Of course, please consider that in hot summer days, your head might sweat, and as many as 3 passes, even though the scalp is more resilient than the face, can cause itching and discomfort. Therefore, 2 passes is ideal.
You can consider shaving straight down from top to bottom and from the sides, or just a single pass against the grain.
The last point to remember is not to make the lather too thick. This is a fundamental point already known by straight razor enthusiasts. A slightly watery lather will allow the razor to move more easily.
Head Shaving with a Classic Razor (Safety Razor)
Double-edge, single edge or slant. That's the whole point😊
I don't recommend slants for head shaving due to their overly aggressive nature and different geometries.
With DE and SE razors, if you have acne or similar issues, you are likely to experience problems. Of course, while cartridges are the easiest method for head shaving, it's worth trying for DE and SE enthusiasts. Naturally, the main issue here is wrist dexterity again…
In this method, which I recommend shaving in the shower to reduce irritation and facilitate the shave, you can choose either gel or shaving soap lather. Clubman Pinaud Head Shave Gel is perfect for this job. Its ability to soothe your sensitive scalp after shaving is an added bonus.
If you have enough time, I highly recommend preparing shaving cream. Of course, the brush types you should use here are synthetic or boar. Badger brushes will remain too soft and spread out due to the toughness of the scalp and the abundance of hair follicles in head shaving.
An effortless Mühle Fibre synthetic or a lather-hungry boar will come to your rescue. Especially these days as autumn approaches, who can say no to a warm head massage with a boar brush? :)
You can make a normal consistency lather. If your hair is a bit longer than usual, it's beneficial to trim it before starting to shave.
1- Wet your hair and apply the head shave gel.
2- Then apply the lather with a brush; if you're going to shower afterward, you can also do this in front of a mirror.
3- If you don't have experience with DE and SE razors, it's advisable to practice without a blade beforehand. Of course, let's note that the scalp is not as sensitive as the face. Even though the scalp is not as sensitive as the face, there's a possibility of pimples or similar bumps on the skin surface catching the blade and getting cut.
4- Absolutely allow your three fingers to guide you. Initially, using a mirror is important. After that, it's muscle memory and enjoyment.
5- In the first pass, shave straight down from top to bottom. While doing this, be careful not to pass over the same area multiple times.
6. Let your three fingers constantly guide you. Since the scalp is already taut, there's no need for extra stretching.
7. You can shave straight down to the nape of your neck.
8. In the second pass, shave from the sides. For behind the ears and sideburns, try to see the shaving area by changing your position in front of a mirror. You can get support from another mirror. Since the scalp is less sensitive compared to the face, you don't need to worry too much.
9. Absolutely rinse off the remaining soap between passes with cold water, or perform the shaving process directly in the shower.
10. Two passes will be sufficient. Don't push for a super close shave or BBS (baby butt shave).
11. Rinse with cold water after shaving. Don't forget to apply aftershave lotion, and especially in summer, sunscreen with SPF.
Head Shaving with a Cartridge Razor
It's the easiest, safest, and quickest method. Although I'm a staunch traditional shaving enthusiast, I recommend cartridge systems for head shaving because they minimize risks. The key here is to have a pivoting head.
Fixed systems with 2-3 blades won't be different from classic razors due to their immobile structure, and they can cause problems with acne or similar surface points.
A good cartridge system can easily handle 5-6 head shaves. It's worth remembering that whether it's a single blade or multiple blades, they dull quickly when head shaving. You don't need to use pre-shave preparation products for head shaving. The already oily scalp might become even oilier.
Of course, in pivoting head systems, the more blades there are, the more cutting surface there is, so making a thick lather will minimize irritation and also protect you from minor accidents.
During the shower, after applying gel or lather to your head, you can achieve baby-butt smooth shaves by doing 2 passes: first straight down from top to bottom, and then from the sides.
You don't need to use shaving powder afterward. Since the scalp is already taut, you also don't need to use alum.
After head shaving, you can move on to face shaving for a cleaner look. I don't recommend applying balm after head shaving. Especially in summer! 😊 In these months when sweating is already high, it can be both uncomfortable and cause shine.
After shaving, a moisturizing lotion followed by sunscreen is a must. I definitely recommend applying sunscreen.
If you insist on too many passes, it might cause tenderness in summer due to light sweating.
In short, I may not have been able to solve your hair problem, or what I've told you may not have grown hair, but I can guarantee a wonderfully enjoyable head shave. You might not know that San Diego is more populous than San Antonio, but you'll have all the intricacies of head shaving down pat :)
I wish you plenty of lather and enjoyable head shaves.
Please forgive any shortcomings!
Whatever you experience, remain a gentleman.
Author: Caner Denizli