Hello, and well wishes to you all!
Since April 2017, I’ve been shaving my head, with lubricant-free disposable razors, and will be switching to a wet shaving/safety razor set-up. I was hesitant about posting an introduction because I haven’t actually started yet, but here goes. Following is where I'm at and where I'm headed (
).
I have to navigate my shaving approach considering a few different neurological symptoms. Some of those symptoms rule out electric razors. I'd rather stay with my frustrating disposables than deal with cartridge razors. Additionally, reducing waste is important to me. From what I’ve seen, that leaves some form of wet shaving as my most viable alternative. I'm so grateful for the members who have shown that it can be possible for some with physical challenges. Considering my circumstances, I think I’ll be able to make it work safely and successfully. I’m also grateful to B&B on the whole for the incredible wealth of information and support!
Current Set-Up (what I’m switching away from)
Pre-Shave: usually none, just washing my scalp as usual with my shower soap (diluted Branch Basics “Concentrate”) and warm water (tried a few products; kept finding that skin was least irritated with and hair was most responsive to minimal tinkering), though every once in a while will need to exfoliate my scalp using the Boie “Face Scrubber”
Razor/Blade: Gillette “Good News Disposable Razors” without the lubricant strips (or knockoffs? haha)
Soap: none, just warm water (same reason as pre-shave)
Brush: none
After-Shave: washing the shaved hair off with shower soap, then sometimes using plain jojoba oil after
Frequency: 1x/1-4 weeks; if the hair is too long, I cut it with scissors first. I prefer the results of 1x/week, which I’m hoping to be able to keep up with using better-suited tools.
Strangely enough, I do get a very effective smooth shave with the technique I've settled on. No burns, cuts, bumps, or irritation. However, these disposables are not well-suited to my thick hair. It makes for a very long, frustrating, and exhausting shaving experience. Not being so extremely drained afterwards is a goal, haha.
Upcoming Set-Up
Pre-Shave: No plans to change this unless necessary. If needed, plain jojoba oil and/or more consistent use of the scrubber would be my first choices.
Razor/Blade: Either
Soap: From my understanding, some sort of soap is required. I’m looking at either an unscented fragrance-free tubed cream (Pacific Shaving Company “Clean Shave Cream”), an unscented fragrance-free tallow soap, or an unscented fragrance-free vegan soap. I’ve curated my master lists for the latter two down to 4 tallow options and 5 vegan options. If it’s alright, I might post asking for particular comparisons between these specific options within the two categories.
Brush: Personally, I’d rather not use a brush, because of the extra steps it involves. I realize it’s a beloved part of the process, but I have limited capacity, so unfortunately, I sometimes have to make these types of choices. But, if it looks absolutely necessary for the soap option I like best, I'll go with a long-handled synthetic (I’ve seen the Razorock 400 mentioned – wondering what other options perform well, to compare).
After-Shave: No plans to change this unless necessary. If needed, more consistent use of plain jojoba oil would be my first choice.
Starting Plan: When I obtain a razor and blades, I'll load it with a taped up blade and practice my technique with that. I'll also learn how to lather well with a single soap option before I put an untaped blade to my skin, haha. Then, I’ll practice with a live blade on my body. Once I'm comfortable with all those, I'll dive into actually shaving my head with that set-up. Unless something significant surfaces, I do not intend to make software or hardware adjustments until I’m consistently shaving safely and effectively.
My primary criteria are safety to use as well as safety to maintain. My preferred values going into this, insofar as they do not compromise safety, are minimalism and consumer conscientiousness, where possible (to clarify: this is my own take that works for me personally, not meant or intended to be imposed on others or as judgment on what works best for anyone else). Unscented and fragrance-free (artificial and natural) are required, and I also need to avoid several personal kryptonite ingredients.
I’m here to learn from you all and am excited to make the switch I appreciate you and this community!
Best regards
Since April 2017, I’ve been shaving my head, with lubricant-free disposable razors, and will be switching to a wet shaving/safety razor set-up. I was hesitant about posting an introduction because I haven’t actually started yet, but here goes. Following is where I'm at and where I'm headed (
).I have to navigate my shaving approach considering a few different neurological symptoms. Some of those symptoms rule out electric razors. I'd rather stay with my frustrating disposables than deal with cartridge razors. Additionally, reducing waste is important to me. From what I’ve seen, that leaves some form of wet shaving as my most viable alternative. I'm so grateful for the members who have shown that it can be possible for some with physical challenges. Considering my circumstances, I think I’ll be able to make it work safely and successfully. I’m also grateful to B&B on the whole for the incredible wealth of information and support!
Current Set-Up (what I’m switching away from)
Pre-Shave: usually none, just washing my scalp as usual with my shower soap (diluted Branch Basics “Concentrate”) and warm water (tried a few products; kept finding that skin was least irritated with and hair was most responsive to minimal tinkering), though every once in a while will need to exfoliate my scalp using the Boie “Face Scrubber”
Razor/Blade: Gillette “Good News Disposable Razors” without the lubricant strips (or knockoffs? haha)
Soap: none, just warm water (same reason as pre-shave)
Brush: none
After-Shave: washing the shaved hair off with shower soap, then sometimes using plain jojoba oil after
Frequency: 1x/1-4 weeks; if the hair is too long, I cut it with scissors first. I prefer the results of 1x/week, which I’m hoping to be able to keep up with using better-suited tools.
Strangely enough, I do get a very effective smooth shave with the technique I've settled on. No burns, cuts, bumps, or irritation. However, these disposables are not well-suited to my thick hair. It makes for a very long, frustrating, and exhausting shaving experience. Not being so extremely drained afterwards is a goal, haha.
Upcoming Set-Up
Pre-Shave: No plans to change this unless necessary. If needed, plain jojoba oil and/or more consistent use of the scrubber would be my first choices.
Razor/Blade: Either
- DE – Merkur and Henson have some interesting models, but I still have more information and options to sort through
- SE – OneBlade and Supply make my top contenders in this category
- Cartridge-like/multi-blade – Leaf/Twig or Maxwell June
Soap: From my understanding, some sort of soap is required. I’m looking at either an unscented fragrance-free tubed cream (Pacific Shaving Company “Clean Shave Cream”), an unscented fragrance-free tallow soap, or an unscented fragrance-free vegan soap. I’ve curated my master lists for the latter two down to 4 tallow options and 5 vegan options. If it’s alright, I might post asking for particular comparisons between these specific options within the two categories.
Brush: Personally, I’d rather not use a brush, because of the extra steps it involves. I realize it’s a beloved part of the process, but I have limited capacity, so unfortunately, I sometimes have to make these types of choices. But, if it looks absolutely necessary for the soap option I like best, I'll go with a long-handled synthetic (I’ve seen the Razorock 400 mentioned – wondering what other options perform well, to compare).
After-Shave: No plans to change this unless necessary. If needed, more consistent use of plain jojoba oil would be my first choice.
Starting Plan: When I obtain a razor and blades, I'll load it with a taped up blade and practice my technique with that. I'll also learn how to lather well with a single soap option before I put an untaped blade to my skin, haha. Then, I’ll practice with a live blade on my body. Once I'm comfortable with all those, I'll dive into actually shaving my head with that set-up. Unless something significant surfaces, I do not intend to make software or hardware adjustments until I’m consistently shaving safely and effectively.
My primary criteria are safety to use as well as safety to maintain. My preferred values going into this, insofar as they do not compromise safety, are minimalism and consumer conscientiousness, where possible (to clarify: this is my own take that works for me personally, not meant or intended to be imposed on others or as judgment on what works best for anyone else). Unscented and fragrance-free (artificial and natural) are required, and I also need to avoid several personal kryptonite ingredients.
I’m here to learn from you all and am excited to make the switch
I appreciate you and this community!Best regards
This feedback and your support are awesome. Do people tend to prefer reading responses to each post with separate posts, or all in one longer post? Here, I'm responding in one longer post:
I am so excited the prospect of shaving my head transforming from something depleting into a time for meditative attentiveness -- to be able to ENJOY it! And, thanks for sharing the Hall of Fame link!
! In your experience, does this work even for the hard soap pucks? What soaps have you used without a brush? I realize I might need to go with a brush, but I would much rather see how it goes without one first. And thanks for the Head Shavers Check-In link!
