How to Shave Your Head at Home Without Nicks or Bumps

Before you start: what you need

A clean head shave needs two cutting tools, not one. Trying to take a full head of hair straight down with a razor clogs and dulls the blade within a few strokes and pulls at the hair.

Set yourself up in a well-lit bathroom with a hand mirror so you can see the back of your head, and give yourself time; the first shave always takes longer than later ones.

• Clippers or a beard trimmer, with no guard or the shortest guard.
• A sharp razor: a single or double blade cartridge, a safety razor, or a rotary head shaver.
• A moisturizing shave cream or gel, fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive.
• A hand mirror, a clean towel, and a fragrance-free moisturizer.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher.

Step one: clipper it down first

Take the hair down to stubble before any blade touches your scalp. Use clippers with no guard, or the shortest guard you have, and work from the front hairline to the crown, then up from the nape and sides.

Go over the whole head twice in different directions, because hair grows in swirls, especially at the crown. If you are starting from long hair, cut the bulk off with a longer guard first. If you would rather not shave with a blade at all, a close clipper cut is a good alternative; many men like the look of a skin fade or a very short buzz cut done professionally.

Step two: shave with the grain

Direction matters more on the scalp than most men expect. Head hair changes direction around the crown and behind the ears, so feel it with your palm first: the direction that feels smooth is with the grain.

Shaving with the grain is the dermatology-recommended way to reduce bumps and irritation. It will not be as close on the first pass, but it is far gentler; if you want smoother, re-lather and go across the grain rather than directly against it, and only once your skin tolerates it.

1. Shower, or hold a warm, wet towel on your scalp for a few minutes.
2. Apply shave cream and let it sit for a minute to soften the stubble.
3. Start at the top and front, shaving with the grain in short, light strokes.
4. Rinse the blade after every stroke or two.
5. Move to the sides, keeping your ear folded down with your free hand.
6. Shave the back last, using the hand mirror and following the growth pattern down the neck.
7. Feel for missed patches with your palm and touch them up with fresh cream.

Aftercare for a freshly shaved scalp

A newly shaved head is freshly exposed skin and needs the same care as your face. Rinse with cool water, pat dry, and apply a fragrance-free moisturizer, skipping alcohol-based aftershave, which stings and dries.

Sun is the big one. A bald scalp faces the sky all day and burns quickly. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that anyone with exposed scalp either wear a wide-brimmed hat or apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every two hours and after sweating or swimming. In an Ontario winter, a toque protects from cold as well as low-angle sun.

How often to shave your head

Most men shave every one to three days to keep the head smooth. Shaving daily or every couple of days keeps stubble short enough that it is less likely to curl back into the skin, which dermatologists note helps prevent razor bumps.

Replace a disposable blade or cartridge after five to seven shaves and store it dry. If you get bumps, redness or small pus spots, give the scalp a few days off, and read how to prevent razor bumps. See a doctor or dermatologist if bumps persist, become painful or leave dark marks or scars.

Keeping it looking sharp

A bald head looks best with a tidy beard and clean edges around the ears and neck. Many men pair a shaved head with a short beard; our bald with beard guide covers proportions.

At Markcutit we do not offer straight razor head shaves as a service, but we cut close skin fades and keep beards sharp with Beard Only + Lineup, which pairs well with a head you shave at home.