How To Shave Your Head: 7 Essential Steps for a Smooth, Clean Look

Whether you’ve decided to plunge into bald territory for the first time or you’re trading the barbershop for your bathroom mirror,  shaving your own head can be a daunting experience.

You may be comfortable with shaving your facial hair, but the shaving routine for achieving a smooth head will be a little different (and not only because you can’t see the top of your head). You’ll probably have some questions —  what’s the best way to shave your head? And how do you shave your head with a razor?

Well, we have answers. Ahead, we’re taking the guesswork out of the process with a step-by-step guide to how to shave your own head. You’ve got this!

Below, we break down the steps for shaving your head, from prep, to shaving, to aftercare.

Step 1: Examine Your Scalp

There are several steps to take before you pick up the razor. The first thing you’ll want to do pre-shave is take a look at your scalp (this may be tough if you have longer hair, but you can still get a glimpse).

Using a handheld mirror, examine your head and scalp for signs of irritation, bumps, or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or just winter dryness. If you have active irritation or an infection, you should wait to shave your head until it’s healed, as shaving will further irritate the area.

You’ll also want to note any areas with scars, scabs, or moles.

Step 2: Buzz Your Hair If It’s Long

If you have medium to long hair (anything longer than a close-cropped style), you’ll want to buzz your hair with clippers first. If you skip this step, the hair will pull and tug with a razor, which can be uncomfortable and cause irritation.

When buzzing, take care not to miss any spots. You can use your non-dominant hand to touch the back of the hair and the area around your neck to ensure you haven’t missed a spot.

Step 3: Wash Your Scalp

Once your hair is prepped, it’s time to wash your scalp with warm water and a gentle soap. You can hop in the shower or simply run your head under the faucet. The warm water helps to soften the hair and open pores, which helps you get the closest shave. It’s also an important step to get rid of any stray hairs that are clinging to your scalp.

Some people like to add a small amount of shave oil to the scalp after washing, which offers an additional layer of protection against the razor blade. This step isn’t necessary, but it can be especially helpful if you have sensitive skin or are prone to nicks or in-grown hairs.

Step 4: Apply Shaving Gel or Shaving Cream

You may be able to shave your face with soap or even just water (sometimes called wet shaving), but shaving cream or gel is highly recommended for shaving your head with a razor.

Work the cream into a lather on your hands and apply a light, even layer to your scalp. Shaving gel helps reduce friction, improves glide, and helps guard against razor burn and nicks. Use a mirror to make sure you haven’t missed any spots.

Step 5: Pick Your Razor

For something seemingly straightforward, there are a lot of different razors to choose from. You likely already have a cartridge razor for shaving your face, and you can use that on your head. A cartridge razor with some flexibility to move around the round contours of the head may be helpful here.

A safety razor, which is a single, extremely sharp blade, can get you a closer shave. But you may want to take a few practice rounds on your face or on an area of your body that’s primarily unseen to perfect your technique before using it on your head for the first time. Also, if you don’t want a fully bald look, this isn’t your pick.

Some people also like to use hair clippers (also called buzzers or electric razors) to shave their heads, in which case you can probably skip the water and shaving cream. If you prefer to use clippers, just know that your shave won’t last as long.

Whatever you choose, make sure your blade is clean and sharp.

Step 6: Start at the Top

Finally, it’s time to start shaving! It is generally recommended that you begin at the top or center of the head. Using light strokes, shave with the grain in a downward motion. Rinse your razor blade between strokes to keep it clean and sharp.

For an extra close shave, you can re-apply shaving cream and shave against the grain in a second pass. This produces a smooth, clean shave but can also cause irritation or increase the potential for ingrown hairs.

Step 7: Post-Shave Care

When you’re finished shaving, rinse your head with cold water to help close your pores and calm the skin. Gently towel off your head, then hydrate the skin with a moisturizing lotion or an aftershave balm. This will help soothe the skin and prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.

Make sure whatever product you choose is alcohol-free. If you have any cuts (it happens), you can apply an alum block, which has antiseptic properties, before your moisturizer. If you spend time outside, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to your head is essential, as the scalp is highly susceptible to sunburn.

Need a refresher? We have you covered. Here are the key points on the best way to shave your head.

• Take time to prep your scalp. You’ll need to do a few things to prep your head to ensure a comfortable shave and help avoid irritation. Trim your hair if it’s long, and wash your scalp with a gentle soap.

• Choose the right tools. If you’re using a razor (as opposed to electric clippers) make sure your blade is clean and sharp, and that you have shaving cream. When it’s time to shave, start at the top of the head and shave down, in the direction hair grows. If you’re a more visual person, there are plenty of tutorials you can check out.

• Finish with essential post-shave care. Cold water, a hydrating lotion, and sunscreen protect your scalp from irritation, dryness, and sunburn.

For more information on how to embrace the bald look, check out our guide to how to look good balding.