h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Does anyone know if it's safe to shave your head (to a skinhead) with an ordinary shaving razor? I've had some people say you should never do it.

Don't know if its safe or not but that's how my ex shaves his head. Here in aussieland you can get a razor called "headstart" can't remember if it's by bic or gillette, but it is meant for shaving heads, oh and it helps if you run clippers over head first, then get someone you trust to do the rest. I imagine if you did it yourself the first time things could get a bit messy

Helelou

They use a razor over your head when in hospital and they want to open your head to look inside so I don't know if that is a recomendation for doing it or not

They probably mean don't use a cut -throat razor a frind of mine those uses an eletric trimmer to get the hair down to base every 4 weeks and in between uses a safety razor to keep its shaved look.

A friend of mine used an ordinary Bic when he did his. And from all the aquaintences I have accumulated with shaved heads (and believe me, that is a few) I haven't heard anything about it not being safe. It's like all shaving...just be careful.

Very ture you'll get slightly more nicks using it but that is only due to the larger surface area. I nicked myself on Monday actually just around my cute (so everyone else thinks dimple). You think it's cute you try and shave it while half asleep, and hungover in order to get into work on a Monday morning.

Well, according to the BIC Orange ad from a few years ago, that's howtibetan monks do it!

And as for safe, well I guess that depends on what shape your head is and whether you are likely to slip and chop an ear off or not.

You could just smear Immac on yer head

Well, my skinhead Knowle-wester friends always do, its even adopted the trade name: Round these parts you might say 'He's "Bic"ed his head'

I agree. Have shaved myself for the last 3 years using a Mach3 razor. As mentioned before run clippers over your head the before doing it the first time. Be very slow and careful, and use a shaving gel designed for sensitive skin. The first time you do it, razor burn is a b!tch. Also Lynx does a great aftershave cooling cream. I always use this if I've had a quick shave or my razors not quite sharp and get razor burn.

Be prepared for your hair to grow back quick if it's something you do regularly tho. I can shave at 7 in the morning and by 7 at night will have noticeable stubble! Therefore I shave every other day and go through a fortune in blades!

Be prepared for razor jam as well. It is surprising the amount of surface area you will be covering compared to that of your chin.

The first time I shaved my head I started from a number 1 cut (c.3mm) and had knackered all the available razors by the time I was two thirds of the way done. I had to go to the hairdressers (plus hat for journay) to get the last bit finished off.

There are two other things to note about getting your head shaved.

One your head will be a shiny white colour, so if you've any colour in your cheeks your head will look stupid initially. Advice - spend the day in the sunshine.

Two, as you now have no protection on your head from the rain, any cold drops of rain will impact straight onto your scalp, which will give it one hell of a shock. The first time I went into the rain with a shaved head at each impact my scalp would suddenly contract in shock, which was incredibly painful. Over time your scalp will get used to this and the reaction will not be a severe.

when I had a mohican, I had the sides of my head completely shaved. Used a Philips electric razor to get it down to stubble, then finished off with a Mach 3.

We used to be part of the 'Baldy Crew' at The Orbit. 3 years ruff. The thing is that it when you've knuckled it, it grows streight back. I got into the routine of Mach 3ing it every Saturday. Watch your spots. Watch the hot & cold flush. And more importantly DONT PULL A T-SHIRT TOO QUICKLY OVER YOUR HEAD. You will break your neck. It took me months to remember.
Going down to the wood is a perfect opportunity to cleanse, tone and moisturise your scalp. Its libberating, and you start getting to know it much better. Yep, you will find a new friend.
There is something about trying to get every bit of ruff of without bleeding too much, & POW then the feeling in the shower. Oh yes.
Unfortunatly, when I had to start growing it again, over these 3 years I had become a little bald on top. That was a bit of a shock.
You start buying a lot more hats aswell. Velcro effect assured on the woolies.
I have to have hair now cos' o mi job. Booo! Unfortunatly people treated me a little differently without hair. Wish I was without though. Suppose Ill let nature take its course :O). Happy shaving.

depends on how cold it is outside

Personaly when I had any shaving to do on my head I would go down to the barber shop...they used a straight razor and nice warm foam...much safer then me trying to do it and end up one ear short


()

Would a ladyshave work (sissy option)

Immac would probably be quite good - saves money on razors and you get longer between applications (plus you could just slap it on wait the right time and jump in the shower)

Of course there is also the debate that once shaven is it save for you to be seen in certain neighbourhoods and compnay. Just a side issue but maybe one worth considering.

A shaved head doesn't always have negative connotations!

I've noticed a large increase in the number of guys who suddenly realise their hair is getting a bit thin and decide to just shave the rest off. It usually doesn't look too bad, and it doesn't immediately lead to the wearing of excess amounts of leather, chains and saftey pins..

I can't see why shaving with a normal razor would cause problems (unless you keep catching your ears.... ) Would be easier if you go someone else to do it the first time though I would have thought..You don't know the shape of your own head and might end up takeing chunks out...

I once shaved a mate's head whilst travelling.
I borrowed a friend's ladyshave, but that was just pulling at the hairs (this guy had hair that was only about an inch long), so I ended up cutting away the hair as best I could with a rusty pair of scissors, then going through a packet of Bic's to get it baby smooth.

As we were in Egypt, he was pretty tanned and did indeed have rather a bright dome.
For a few days, whenever he went into the town he would wear a bandanna to hide the blinding shininess.

Just be careful of cuts!

I'm aware that some people shave their head and look 'hard', some people shave it and look cool, and some people shave it and end up looking like they've had a brain operation.

I'll take the plunge tomorrow. First I'll cut some off with scissors, then do the next bit with the beard trimmer of a shaver, then use my mach 3 or go through the bics.