Shaving Your Head

June 18, 2004 12:00 AM

Shave your head? What do you put on your scalp afterwards?

Ordinarily I swab with alcohol, to prevent infection and stave off unsightly breakouts. This dries out the skin, which I don't ordinarily mind too much, but as the summer wears on, it's becoming increasingly impossible to leave the house without a hat--much more uncomfortable. I'm wary of ordinary mosturizing lotions which may clog pores or irritate small razor cuts; I've idly browsed the beauty aisles for a product aimed at this niche without success. Anybody?

posted by kjh to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

So, you bic your head, not just shave it? If you just shave your head with an electric razor, I do not see the point of putting anything on it. I have shaved my head numerous times without putting anything special on my scalp, no breakouts, no problems. (Until I forget I cant wear my flight jacket and boots without some serious stares)
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:16 AM on June 18, 2004

the grammer police will be here any minute now.
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:17 AM on June 18, 2004

No experience with head shaving, but I always use moisturizer on my face after shaving. Result is skin that looks LOTS younger than most men my age. It is soothing to little cuts (in fact, I moisturize hand cuts, too). Most such things these days include at least a mild solar block, which is probably a good idea.
posted by Goofyy at 1:53 AM on June 18, 2004

I use E45 lotion (a non-comedogenic moisturiser), or nothing. Alcohol seems like a very bad idea.
posted by cbrody at 3:33 AM on June 18, 2004

/MetroFilter (as in MetroSexual)

OK, it's no different than when you're shaving off your beard hair: what you should do is really really make sure your scalp's surface is very wet, the pores are dilated before you shave. hence, use lots of warm water, keep the head under the shower (or if you go to a gym where there's a steam bath, by all means try to shave right after you come out of the steam room). use lots of (good, rich) shaving cream (lose the cheap, thin supermarket stuff -- your head deserves better)

that way, you won't inflame your scalp, and you won't need moisturizer. alcohol is a big no-no, just lose it please, it'll give you dry, possibily flaky scalp, if you have a nick just use a little disinfectant on the small spot that's bleeding, just that. but no alcohol. please.
posted by matteo at 3:39 AM on June 18, 2004

a hat
posted by Pericles at 4:25 AM on June 18, 2004

I use that Gilette Aftershave Gel junk. Doesn't burn when you put it on and seems to keep the skin healthy.
posted by Pockets at 5:10 AM on June 18, 2004

I don't put anything on my head. For the actual shaving act I do it in the shower and I use this stuff.
posted by substrate at 5:27 AM on June 18, 2004

sunblock/moisturizer combo.
posted by amberglow at 5:28 AM on June 18, 2004

When I was shaving my head, instead of shaving cream I used Aloe. And after getting out of the shower and drying off, I would slather it up with more aloe. This always worked for me.
posted by TuxHeDoh at 5:48 AM on June 18, 2004

Cetaphil make a good moisturizer with sunscreen that's non-greasy and won't clog pores.
posted by bcwinters at 6:00 AM on June 18, 2004

I've never gotten a razor cut on the scalp, but I normally spring for the expensive razors that are much more forgiving than the one-off Bics. I also use shaving creams, not foams, that are denser and more soothing. Two of my faves of the moment are the Kiss My Face shavign creams and the one that Trader Joe's makes (if you have TJ in your area). Follow up with some moisturizing lotion, and say goodbye to the alcohol. Seriously though, if you are getting cuts, abrasions and break outs on your scalp, the problem might be more of how you are shaving than what you put on afterwards. Also, it may take your scalp a while to get used to shaving it, if this is a new thing for you, so it might be sensitive at first.
posted by archimago at 6:53 AM on June 18, 2004

"Breakouts" from shaving tend to be ingrown hairs. Is your hair curly? Curly hairs grow from curved folicles. When cut just below the skin (happens with modern blades), these hairs, growing curly, grow sideways into the skin, resulting in what looks like rash (or some call "shaving bumps"). Only solution of which I'm aware is to not shave so close.
posted by Goofyy at 7:07 AM on June 18, 2004

Use a facial moisturizer instead of a regular lotion. That will prevent clogged skin. I recommend Eucerin Facial...it's got a 30 SPF as an added bonus.
posted by gokart4xmas at 7:11 AM on June 18, 2004

I use the new vibrating Mach3, before that Mach3 Turbo, and for products everything Neutrogena. Matteo's spot on with his prep advice, I also scrub my scalp with one of those little round loofah pads, it exfoliates, and helps the pores open. Also, I steal a little of my wife's conditioner because it softens the hair, even the 1/4 inch or so I let grow in between shaving. It is all sort of Metro I suppose, but not to the extent of like using body glitter or something, and I've had scalp cuts, trust me, you don't want them.
posted by tetsuo at 11:18 AM on June 18, 2004

Thanks for the tips, guys.
posted by kjh at 4:45 PM on June 18, 2004

using body glitter or something

That sounds a bit more drag queen than metrosexual to me. But maybe I'm sheltered.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:55 PM on June 18, 2004