It takes a bold, unconventional man to sport a shaved head. Think Vin Diesel. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Matt Damon in Elysium. These alpha males have made shaved heads manlier than Chuck Norris’ trademark moustache.

Bald has become hot, and it’s no wonder more men are following suit. If you’re thinking of shedding all your hair (and getting your sexy on), then you gotta know how to shave your head the right way.

 

1. You’ll Need:

• A pair of scissors
• A razor
• An electric hair clipper
• A good shaving cream
• An exfoliating glove
• A hand mirror
• A towel
• An aftershave balm

 

2. Prep Ahead

Your head (and hair) needs to be optimized for shaving. Start by taking a warm shower. Using slight pressure, rub a soapy wash cloth against your hair’s growth pattern. This lifts the hair to make shaving easier. Rinse.

 

3. Start Trimming

Trim off as much hair as you can using scissors. If you have a very long or thick hair, you’ll give the clipper less work by doing this. Plus, you get to save time this way.

 

4. Start Buzzing

Start with the hair clipper’s medium spacer for the first pass. For the second, change to a closer spacer for a tighter shave. Clip the hair as close to the scalp as possible.

 

5. Lather Up

Be generous about lathering. Allow it to stand for a few minutes to soften the hair further. Avoid products that contain menthol, as it numbs the skin and closes the pores. You’ll need to feel the razor glide over your scalp for a closer shave and menthol will prevent that.

 

6.  And Now the Razor

(Note: Throw away those dull razors/blades and use only fresh ones. Follow these directions closely on how to shave your head using a razor.)

Shave in the direction that your hair grows (or the “grain”). Start at the center of your head, from the forehead to the back of your head in slow strokes. After shaving one stripe, rinse the blade (like how you’d shave your face) and do this for every pass. Move down one side and stop above the ear.  You may then do the other side by starting again at the center and moving downwards.  For the back of your head, shave in this direction: from the nape of your neck to the top of your head.

 

7. Check for Rough Spots

Pump a small amount of lather and rub all over your head and check for spots you might have missed. Check the back of your ears and behind your neck for stray bristles and re-shave as needed.

 

8. Exfoliate Your Scalp

Do this especially if it’s your first time to shave. Your scalp will have plenty of dead skin, and exfoliation will remove all these flakes for a smoother scalp. Using an exfoliating glove, scrub your head thoroughly, applying slight pressure but don’t scrub too hard (save your strength for kitchen sink) and rinse.

 

9. To Finish

Touch up on stray bristles if you must, but splash your head with cold water to close up the pores when you’re done. Pat your head dry with a soft towel and apply a good aftershave balm (will help heal cuts and moisturize the skin). Stay away from products that contain alcohol because they will dry out your skin.

 

10. Protect and Maintain

• Your scalp is going to be exposed to the sun, so put on sunscreen for the first few days whenever you’re heading out. A sunburned scalp is neither pleasant nor sexy, so slather up.

 

• Shave your head daily or every other day. This is for easier maintenance to keep you looking fresh.

 

• Sport your shaved head proudly and set yourself apart from the pack. Congratulations, you just became more manly. Now go wrestle a bear or something.

 

Going bald is manly. There’s even a study to support that claim, and that should end all disputes right there. Now that you know how to shave your head the right way, go spread the word.