Intro
Hi. I'm Bryan and I shave my head daily with a variety of single and double edge razors. As I progressed and started using increasingly aggressive razors such as the 2011 R41 and the Merkur Futur (highest setting), I realize I was having trouble with tugging and bouncing. The hair on my head just wouldn't soften up regardless of what I did. I tried Kyle's Prep and other techniques offered in the forum. I tried eliminating as many variables as I could, practiced making lathers several times a day, and so forth. I wanted to be able to shave my head comfortably every day. Without waiting 2-3 days in between shaves, I'd end up with raw, razor burnt skin.
I finally came up with a technique that works for me and it incorporates a lot of different styles that I liked. Here is a step by step instructional post on how I get my head prepared for a BBS, spa-like experience.
The Process
01. Prepare your gear
Start soaking your brush and have your arsenal of shaving tools ready.
02. Hot shower and thoroughly scrub the hairs on your head.
The key here is to scrub your hair, not your skin. I recommend Nivea Scrub. I know it may be obvious to most but this is something subtle that you may or may not do. I like to rinse the scrub out and continually rub my hair to hydrate the crap out of it... for the slicing is about to begin!
03. Pre-shave Oils / Creams
After getting out of the shower, I dry off my body leaving my head wet. Though controversial as to their effectiveness, I can definitely notice a difference when I use pre-shave oils and creams. Anyways, this is where I apply the product, while continually splashing water. Excessive WATER is the key to a good prep. Proraso Preshave tends to dry out your skin so adding water helps.
04. Load your brush (10-20 seconds) --
lather directly on your head for ~30 seconds.
This is where my technique is slightly different than others. I like to produce a mediocre lather here, just enough to cover my entire head. It doesn't have to be pretty. Watery is better. Let this soupy lather sit and go back to your soap. Continue to fully load your brush for a solid minute (I like a lot of lather for my head / face shave).
05. Create lots and lots of wonderful lather.
While that weak lather sits on your head, hit the bowl hard (pun not intended). Take your time and create thick, yogurt-like, slick lather!
============================================
06. Wet your hands and rub the soap in
This is when the magic happens. After your bowl lathering is done, set it down and take both hands and rub your favorite soap into your skin and hair. Keep adding water from the faucet until that lather is basically gone.​ You'll end up with a soupy, slick head that is PRIME for any razor in your arsenal.
Because of this step, your skin will feel amazing after your shave is complete. Give it a try; you won't regret it!
============================================
07. Apply lather and shave!
Now that your head is feeling uber lubricated, apply that beautiful lather made in your bowl to your dome and enjoy a super smooth, easy, relaxing shave.
Note: I have no trouble shaving my face and thorough prep isn't necessary at all. However, the hair on my head is like steel, especially when it only has a day worth of growth. Taking these steps has greatly improved the quality and overall experience. Hopefully, this guide can help out other fellow headshavers who experience any difficulties during their daily routine!
Thanks!
Bryan
Hi. I'm Bryan and I shave my head daily with a variety of single and double edge razors. As I progressed and started using increasingly aggressive razors such as the 2011 R41 and the Merkur Futur (highest setting), I realize I was having trouble with tugging and bouncing. The hair on my head just wouldn't soften up regardless of what I did. I tried Kyle's Prep and other techniques offered in the forum. I tried eliminating as many variables as I could, practiced making lathers several times a day, and so forth. I wanted to be able to shave my head comfortably every day. Without waiting 2-3 days in between shaves, I'd end up with raw, razor burnt skin.
I finally came up with a technique that works for me and it incorporates a lot of different styles that I liked. Here is a step by step instructional post on how I get my head prepared for a BBS, spa-like experience.
The Process
01. Prepare your gear
Start soaking your brush and have your arsenal of shaving tools ready.
02. Hot shower and thoroughly scrub the hairs on your head.
The key here is to scrub your hair, not your skin. I recommend Nivea Scrub. I know it may be obvious to most but this is something subtle that you may or may not do. I like to rinse the scrub out and continually rub my hair to hydrate the crap out of it... for the slicing is about to begin!
03. Pre-shave Oils / Creams
After getting out of the shower, I dry off my body leaving my head wet. Though controversial as to their effectiveness, I can definitely notice a difference when I use pre-shave oils and creams. Anyways, this is where I apply the product, while continually splashing water. Excessive WATER is the key to a good prep. Proraso Preshave tends to dry out your skin so adding water helps.
04. Load your brush (10-20 seconds) --
lather directly on your head for ~30 seconds.
This is where my technique is slightly different than others. I like to produce a mediocre lather here, just enough to cover my entire head. It doesn't have to be pretty. Watery is better. Let this soupy lather sit and go back to your soap. Continue to fully load your brush for a solid minute (I like a lot of lather for my head / face shave).
05. Create lots and lots of wonderful lather.
While that weak lather sits on your head, hit the bowl hard (pun not intended). Take your time and create thick, yogurt-like, slick lather!
============================================
06. Wet your hands and rub the soap in
This is when the magic happens. After your bowl lathering is done, set it down and take both hands and rub your favorite soap into your skin and hair. Keep adding water from the faucet until that lather is basically gone.​ You'll end up with a soupy, slick head that is PRIME for any razor in your arsenal.
Because of this step, your skin will feel amazing after your shave is complete. Give it a try; you won't regret it!
============================================
07. Apply lather and shave!
Now that your head is feeling uber lubricated, apply that beautiful lather made in your bowl to your dome and enjoy a super smooth, easy, relaxing shave.
Note: I have no trouble shaving my face and thorough prep isn't necessary at all. However, the hair on my head is like steel, especially when it only has a day worth of growth. Taking these steps has greatly improved the quality and overall experience. Hopefully, this guide can help out other fellow headshavers who experience any difficulties during their daily routine!
Thanks!
Bryan
Attachments
Last edited:
