Bald Head Tips.com

I would first like to thank all of those who have taken the time and sent in correspondence relating to grooming tips, instructional posts and even the most typical questions about shaving your head bald.

Perhaps the most common question that hits our email box is that relating to the “grain of the hair”.

A very simple explanation is, you will either shave against or with the grain of the hair. The illustration clearly explains the differences between the two.

Please keep those questions coming and we will answer them in future articles.

If you have coarse or curly hair, then you are most likely familiar with razor bumps, medically defined as pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB for short.

Question: What causes razor bumps?

Razor bumps are more common amongst African-American men and women due to the coarse nature of the hair. Often shaving at an angle with a blade sharpens coarse hair which then sometimes curls back up puncturing the skin and becoming ingrown. The results are painful and irritated razor bumps.

Prevention

• Wet your hair or head. Wet hair is easier to cut and often cuts more evenly, reducing the chances of the hair being cut at an angle.
• Use a good shaving oil or gel. Using a good lubricant and water reduces friction and lessens irritation. Massage oil or gel into scalp for a period of time until the scalp and/or hair becomes soft.
• Shaving against the grain offers a smoother cut, however, shaving with the grain reduces the chances of razor bumps.
• Do not go over the same area more than twice has always been the golden rule to shaving. However, this is totally dependent upon your skin and hair type. Some people have to shave over the same area more than twice for a close shave.
• Ensure that you do not stretch your skin while shaving. Stretching the skin increases the chances of the hair curling underneath the skin causing ingrown hair.
• Use a single blade razor or straight razor if you suffer from razor bumps. The “lift and cut” effect of double and triple multi-blade razors is not recommended for people with PFB.

People who suffer from razor bumps often look for relief by using a depilatory such as Nair or Neet instead of a razor. Depilatories dissolve into the hair and is then washed off. The chemicals used in depilatories are string and often cause further irritation.

Treatment

If your suffering from razor bumps, the first suggestion for treatment would be to seek the advice of a dermatologist.

A typical treatment may consist of a prescription of Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride). It’s a prescription drug used to treat women for facial hair removal, but has proven effective in controlling and treating razor bumps.

If you would like to treat the razor bumps on your own, start by letting your hair grow out for a short period of time. This will allow your your skin a chance to rest and heal before shaving again.

Razor bumps often get infected quickly, so its important to treat them early. Using an over the counter antibiotic will ease the pain and irritation.

DO NOT pick or squeeze the bumps.

Please do keep in mind that no one here at Bald Head Tips.com is a dermatologist, we hope that you found these tips on prevention and treatment of razor bumps helpful. The diagnosis of a dermatologist is always recommended above all else.

Game over, keep it low and clean.

For those with coarse, curly or thick hair, the chances of getting razor bumps or ingrown hair is increased.

You should take extra care and allow more time for shaving this type of hair.

Some tips for shaving coarse hair:

• Make sure the hair or head is completely wet and already shaved to a stubble.
• Always us a clean and new blade.
• Use a good shaving oil or gel.
• Do not stretch your skin while shaving, let the skin stay relaxed and smooth.
• Shave with the grain for a low cut, shave against the grain for a close cut.
• Do not make more than two passes over the same area. This has always been the golden rule to shaving, however, its also dependent on your skin and hair type.

Game over, keep it low and clean.

A clean shaven head is perhaps the most basic of hair styles available to men and women.

However, in order to successfully get a clean shave that is nick free, some very basic techniques need to be adhered to. If you’re a first time shaver, once you have shaved a few times, you will quickly develop and learn a routine that works best for you and your particular hair and scalp.

If your just getting started though, here are some very basic tips that works for both new head shavers and long time head shavers.

Before you get started, ensure that you have the proper shaving items to include a new and suitable razor/blade, a good shaving oil or gel and luke warm water.

To make the process easy and less time consuming, what remaining hair you currently have, make sure it is trimmed down to its lowest point. A pair of hair clippers without the guard should work well for this. At this point do not worry about a perfect trim, you just want to get the hair as short as possible at this point.

Now you are ready to get wet. If you prefer to shower first, the hair will be softer and easier to cut. Softer an wet hair reduces the chances of razor bumps. If you prefer to shave and shower afterwards, then get your head wet as possible. Do not use hot water, you will want to use luke warm water. This preserves the natural oil you have on your scalp. Hot water will dry your scalp out.

Perhaps the most important step is applying your shaving lubricant. When applying your shaving gel or oil, be sure to massage it deeply into your scalp. This softens the skin as well as the stubble hair.

You are all set at this point and ready to take it all off.

A good starting point is to start with hair that is softer and less dense, usually the sides of the head and then the top. By saving the back of the head for last, this gives the stiffer and more coarse hair often found on the back of the head more time to soften and results in a more comfortable shave.

Use slow strokes with moderate pressure ensuring that the skin does not fold up with the direction of the razor/blade. This will result in nicks.

Shaving against the grain will result in the closest shave, while going with the grain will not result in a close shave but will yield the least irritation. Depending on the type of hair and your skin sensitivity, going over the same area twice may cause irritation and discomfort. If you’re a first time shaver, its recommended that you do not go over the same area twice or three times at the most.

Your post shave routine is just as important as your preparation. Once again, this will be totally dependent on what routine you develop.

But no matter what your routing, you are going to want to clean yourself up, particularly if you have nicks.

If you prepared properly as described above, your scalp should feel comfortable with little to no irritation. A simple wash with luke warm water and towel dry should suffice.

Now you can reach for the aftershave. Your aftershave should contain a Aloe Vera or Vitamin E complex in it, this should soothe and protect the cleanly shaven head. At all costs, avoid aftershaves with alcohol in them, this dries out the skin and will burn like a fire immediately after shaving.

Game over, keep it low and clean.