ShaverLog
Jump to navigation
Shaving the back of the head
One of the more difficult areas to shave, especially when you're first shaving your head, is the part of it you can't see: the back of your skull.
For most every other part of your noggin, it's relatively easy to see what you're doing. But once you get to the back, a single mirror isn't enough to get a decent view. Unless you're fortunate enough to have 2 mirrors properly set up, you can't see what's going on back there.
What's a shaver supposed to do?
My approach (and about the only approach I can think of) is to go by feel. When you're dragging the blade over your scalp, you can feel how much stubble is under the blade just by the amount of drag you feel. Shaving an area 2 or 3 times should result in correspondingly less drag with each stroke.
When you've shaved the back of your head, get your hand wet and run it over the surface of your scalp. It's easy to feel any spots you've missed, as they will be rougher than the surrounding skin. Many people refer to this as the 'braille' method.
Carefully go over any rough spots again, using your free hand as a guide, if necessary.
Keep in mind that the back of the head tends to have an uneven surface, especially at the base of the skull. The resulting ridges can be difficult to shave, especially if you're rushing. Take it slow and easy.
It's an awkward area to shave, but with a bit of practice, it'll get easier. After shaving a few times, one develops a feel for the back of the head, and pretty soon it will cease to be a problem.
Comments
I SHAVE MY HEAD IN THE SHOWER,AND HAVE LEARNED TO SHAVE WITHOUT A MIRROR. YES
IT IS STRICTLY BY FEEL. FIRST OF ALL AT THE NAPE OF YOUR NECK I ONLY SHAVE DOWN , NEVER UP,THIS PREVENTS RAZOR BUMPS. AT THE BASE OF MY SKULL I SHAVE SEPERTLY SHAVING IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION OR AGAINST THE GRAIN . THE REST OFMY HEAD IS SHAVED WITH THE GRAIN AND AGAINST THE GRAIN .
well I agree it helps if you have mirrors set up properly. I have this in my en-suite but I shave in the shower in the mani bathroom. Gilette blue II with cream or lots of soap if I run out. I shave by feel, basically the gentle touch , going down. Using the weight of the shaver only. Go over 3-4 times. Then feel with your fingers going up. Easier if you do it daily
After trial and error, I find I get a better head shave in the shower than in fron tof the bathroom sink. I do indeed use the braille method for touching up the missed spots and have super results. It does take some getting used to, but has now become second nature.
I went to the local "dollar store" and found a medium size blue plastic hand mirror. To shave the back of my head, I turn my back to the wall mounted mirror, hold the hand mirror in front of me and position so I can see the reflected back of my head. It's a little awkward at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. This way I usually only need one pass of the razor vs. 3-4 resulting in no irritation. When I'm done, I run over me entire head with my hand to check for any small spots I might have missed.
I've never even bothered to try to see the back of my head when I shave it, because the "shave-by-feel" method works so well. And I second the caution about the base of the skull being difficult to shave. If I'm rushing, that is the spot where I'm going to cut myself, and even with the Mach III I've gotten a few nasty nicks there.
I actually have a (semi) fog-free in the shower. I have a hand held I use to see the back. However, I still leave lots of rough area and have to use the feel method. Don't know why I can't do it by feel the first time, but that's the way I do it.
I use the "Shave by Feel" method. I am new to this and find this to be the easiest. If you feel it, shave it! I use the HeadBlade and absolutely love it! It's a huge improvement over my Mach III. I do use the Mach III for light touchups at the base of my skull.
well I wouldn't normally comment twice but to-night it was a bit cool so instead of a shower I just had a dry shave with an old Braun twin head electric. Sacrilege!! I can hear you all scream but it really came out smooth. Dare I say bettere ven than the M3 I have been playing with lately (sorry Dennis). Some Occupational induced hearing damage as I buzz past the ears but otherwise OK. it feels so smooth. The only hair I have above my neck is my eyebrows: I have never felt so clean.
Have always shaved head by 'feel' never used mirror, even for front of my head.
I find like others here Gillette Mach 3 to be great razor, taking 10 mins to shave 2 to 3 times a week.
Been a headshaver for 4 yrs now, wouldnt change it for anyone
i just shaved used the touch method
i will shave every other day to see how it feels
I find the easiest (for me) is to shave just after a shower -- I found it was taking way too long to shave while in the shower.
Also, I use a hand mirror along with the medicine cabinet mirror in order to see the back of my head. I got used to this method after spending a couple of years trimming my hair short with an electric shaver.
I'm just like Brian, HeadBlade makes it easy. With the HeadBlade you really don't need to see the back of your head. If you feel it in the back then just run the HeadBlade back over it, but if your not sure then do like the rest and get a little mirror to check.
can you go "up" (against the grain) the back of your head, and the sides, with the headblade?
I've worn a flat-top for about 15 years, and I knew I had some ridges across the back of my skull. I took the big leap tonite and decided to go shaved. My wife watched as I trimmed the hiar down to stubble with the barber clippers, and then... holy moly, the ridges were enough to actually scare her! I held up the other mirror to inspect them myself and it looked like somebody had taken a scalpel and sliced about a dozen lines through my scalp. The lines are so much more pronounced due to the hair being somewhat unreachable in the ravines, even I must admit, it's kinda scary-looking! Anyway - I haven't taken the razor out yet for fear of not being able to get through/under/inside the ridges to get a full shave. Any words of advice? My wife is suggesting I just leave it alone now, let it grow back in, and maybe nobody will notice!
I started shaving my head about 2 years ago , i always shave by feel against the grain i use a mach 3 razor and shaving oil in the shower every other day on the in betweendays i use a panosonic wet dry 8033 and that keeps my head as smooth as glass I don't like to feel stubbles i think a clean shaven head looks really good and don<t think i'll ever let my hair grow back in
geoff, sounds like you got a head like shane battier. he played for Duke a couple years ago, and now plays in the NBA.
anyway, all headblade users, please answer me this. can you go "up" (against the grain) the back and sides of your head with the headblade??
i dont think i would want to have the top smooth and the sides and back still having stubble...
Re: Jays question about shaving against the grain with a HeadBlade. Yes you can shave the back and sides of your head against the grain. However I found that this was the biggest drawback of the HeadBlade. I'm right handed and trying to shave the right side of my head with the HeadBlade from bottom to top (against the grain) was always so unnatural. Like wise when it came to shaving the left side of my head reaching across my face and blocking my view in the mirror is a major pain. Finally when it comes to shaving your face with the HeadBlade forget it it's a nightmare. Still having said that if you can get comfortable with the HeadBlade it seems to be a very popular, safe, and quick way to wet shave. I still prefer to use my Wilkinson Sword Extreme III disposable blade for my head. My HeadBlade sits in my bathroom as more of a conversation piece than anything else.
You can shave the back of your head against the grain. I use the Headblade in the shower. The manual that comes with the Headblade shows you how. You just flip the Headblade over and start shaving. I didn't have any trouble. I started slow to get the feel for it(especially in the back). It actually feel a little more natural to me since it's like running your hand over your head. I use the "feel" method and get a better and quicker shave than I did with my Mach 3. Now the Mach3 has moved to just being for my face. I'll use it to touch up around my ears if I miss a spot in the shower. Try it out!
Add Comments
IT IS STRICTLY BY FEEL. FIRST OF ALL AT THE NAPE OF YOUR NECK I ONLY SHAVE DOWN , NEVER UP,THIS PREVENTS RAZOR BUMPS. AT THE BASE OF MY SKULL I SHAVE SEPERTLY SHAVING IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION OR AGAINST THE GRAIN . THE REST OFMY HEAD IS SHAVED WITH THE GRAIN AND AGAINST THE GRAIN .