Ready to Shave Your Head? Here’s What to Know First
Here is what to know before shaving your head. (Photo: Getty Images)
There are a lot of reasons guys shave their heads— thinning locks, rising temperatures and even stars like Bruce Willis and Common. Dudes are ditching gel and mouse for more low maintenance manes that don’t require hairspray. “We’ve definitely seen a major shift towards shorter, cropped, militaristic styles after recent seasons of Mad Men influenced coifs,” says Cutler/Redken Salons Senior Stylist Tyson Kennedy. If you’re ready to shave it all off, our expert stylists have provided pointers:
1. Consider your face shape
“It’s all about face shape,” says Kennedy. “Guys with a rounder face tend to look better and more balanced with a little length on the top. Always consult with your stylist for the best way to go short based on your individual bone structure.” Complexion is also an important factor to consider, adds Vaughn, Celebrity Men’s Stylist and founder of V76 by Vaughn, “If your skin is splotchy, the style may not look the best. It’s also important to have a nice skull shape, which your hairdresser can help determine.”
2. D.I.Y. Tools
If you’re vying for the Brad Pitt/Fight Club-style and want to do it yourself, use a No. 1 clipper guard for the whole head. “It’s easy to do and it provides a nice clean look,” says IGK Salon Senior Stylist Yanni Boyiatzis. “It’s also short enough that you don’t really have to worry about cleaning up the edges, or hairline.”
3. When You Commit, Cut First
Don’t make things more difficult than they have to be. “You need to trim the hair down with your clippers as short as possible,” says Rogaine Spokesperson and hairstylist Diana Schmidtke. “Just like the hair on your face, if you try to shave your beard off without using your clippers to take it down first, you will not be successful.”
4. Prepping for Perfection
Avoiding cuts and burns is best – no one wants to be in pain or have battle wounds. “Use a pre-shave oil on your head before applying the shave gel to increase lubricity of the scalp and allow the razor to glide smoothly,” says ManCave Grooming Creative Director Eli Ankutse. “This will reduce scalp irritation and allow for a much closer shave.”
5. Language and Lingo
Before going to the barber, do your research so you know how to describe the hairstyle. “‘A No. 1 all around, and fade out the hairline’ means you want the hairline to just naturally disappear. No hard solid lines,” says Boyiatzis. “This will make it look better as it’s growing in.”
6. Aftercare Counts
Once the process of achieving the perfect shave is complete, protection is priority “It’s important to hydrate the scalp and use products that infuse ingredients such as Aloe Vera, to help repair the skin,” says Anthony Sosnick, founder of grooming brand Anthony, who recommends the Anthony After Shave Balm ($22). “Before going out in the sun, apply a sunscreen to prevent burning. Any SPF 15-30 will work.”
Related:
Shaving Tips from the Master Barber at Kiehl’s Spa 1851
