BLDN guide
How to shave your head for the first time
A first head shave goes wrong in predictable ways: too much hair left for the razor, too much pressure, no moisturiser afterwards. Get those three right and the rest is easy.
Budget forty minutes for the first one. It'll take ten by the third time.
What you need
- Clippers (no guard) or a dedicated head shaver
- A shave gel or cream that lets you see where you've been
- A razor you already get on with, or a rotary head shaver
- A hand mirror to check the back
- A fragrance-free moisturiser, and SPF for tomorrow
Step by step
- Clip everything down to stubble first. A razor will not cut through length — it will clog and drag.
- Shower, or hold a warm damp towel on your head for a minute. Warm, softened hair cuts far more easily.
- Lather properly. Thin lather is the main cause of nicks around the crown.
- Shave in short strokes with the grain first. Let the razor's weight do the work; pressure causes irritation, not closeness.
- Work in sections: front, sides, crown, then the back with a hand mirror.
- Rinse, feel for missed patches with your palm, and only re-lather areas you're going back over.
- Rinse cool, pat dry, moisturise.
The bits people get wrong
- Going against the grain on the first pass. Do it later, and only if your skin tolerates it.
- Reusing a dull blade — dull blades tug and cause bumps.
- Skipping the back of the head, where the grain changes direction.
- Forgetting SPF. A freshly shaved scalp burns faster than you expect.
How often
Daily for a mirror-smooth look, every two or three days for a light shadow. Many men alternate: a head shaver mid-week, a proper wet shave at the weekend.