So as promised, here is my blog on shaving your head. I'm thinking about posting this on the forum too. Let me just start with some background info: I got so sick of thinking people were staring at the spots and tired of running my hand through my hair only to have 20+ hairs stuck in-between my fingers when I pulled them away. I also got sick of wearing a hat every single day and not going to functions that I couldn’t wear the hat at because I felt that the spots stood out more than I did as a person. I needed to change that. On mother’s day I buzzed my head with clippers so it was short, but it was still noticeable. I also still found little hairs in my hat letting me know that the disease was still progressing, a sign that no one wants to see.

So about two weeks ago I decided to shave it all off and go smooth. I looked at it as my way of taking control of this disease. I no longer notice right away if the disease has spread because there are no signs of it except when I skip a day shaving. I also go out and do the things I’ve skipped out on before and don’t always have to have a hat. I’m posting this blog so that anyone out there that is thinking of shaving the rest of their hair off know what kind of products work and the process that I use (NOTE: I realize there are plenty of products and different ways of doing it, but when I was looking for different ideas they were scattered all-over so this is just one idea of what to use).

Products:

Philips Norelco G370 All-in-1 Grooming System
- I got mine for $19.99 at WalMart
- This is used to buzz the hair down to the shortest possible length
- Philips SteelWave technology utilizes revolutionary, wave-shaped blades that channel and cut hair for a precise and even trim every time and also keeps the blades sharp during each use.
- It also has many attachments for it for other grooming (beard trimmer, nose hair attachment, dry shaver, etc.) and many of the attachments have a 9 locking length positions.
- Can be used by more than one person in the family, because as long as you keep using some sort of razor you'll only need this once.

Any Type of Shaving Cream or Gel or Shaving Oil
- This was a can I had at home, any kind will work
- Many perfer using Shaving Oil, but I haven't tried this yet

Panasonic ES8109S Vortex Wet/Dry Shaver
- Purchased from Amazon.com for 114.95 with a 3 pack of refills for the Vortex cleaner
- This is my savior, I use this daily. The motor runs at 13,000 RPMs until the batery is dead (it doesn't slowly die off and get weaker). 13,000 RPMs is the fastest motor out there and can really plow through the tough stubble.
- Has an adjustable pivot head that moves with the shape of your head to avoid nicks and cuts.
- The vortex cleaning system (optional) which uses the Hydra-Clean technology and has the following options: Clean, Dry, and Charge. Basically, it does all the dirty work after.
- Is completely waterproof meaning you can shave in the shower if you'd like.

Headblade Sport (optional)
- This is great for getting an ultra close shave
- Sport version has three blades and two wheels on the back end allowing you to gently slide the blade over your head
- Also can use any kind of razor to get a close shave after using the electric shaver

Some Sort of After Shave Product
- I use an Aftershave Gel and Skin Conditioner (don't remember the name, just found it in the cabinet.

Some Sort of Moisturizure
- Should be used throughout the day to keep the scalp nice and moist.
- I use the Headblade product: Head Lube Matte (also available in Glossy, but not for me):

Process:
- First start by buzzing down the hair you have left with a set of clippers.
- After this I recommend taking a shower. This is done for a couple reasons: to rinse off the hair you’ve buzzed off, and also the hot water from the shower will open up the remaining hair follicles and allow a closer shave. So once you’ve buzzed the first time I would still jump in the shower for a few minutes before you shave.
- Lather up with an even layer of shaving cream or gel
- Begin shaving with the electrical shaver keeping the foils directly on the skin and the shaver at a perpendicular area.
- You will need to pull your ears down and stretch the skin on certain parts of your head to get the closest shave.
- For the first few shaves I would recommend going with the grain of your hair (from the back to front on top; top to bottom on the sides and back). This will not give you the closest shave, but it will be a lot less painful as your skin will be sensitive for the first week or so of shaving. You will most likely get some razor burn for the first couple weeks so don’t do this right before you go out on the town.
- Use your free hand to feel for areas you have missed. When going against the grain, if you feel stubble, the direction you're moving your free hand is against the grain and you should move the shaver that direction as well.
- Rinse in the shower, this avoids mess and also allows you to feel for stubble you missed.
- Apply an aftershave of some sort, and throughout the day apply a moisturizor.

Here’s a great demo I found that shows how to shave your head

- As mentioned in the demo, most times I just go with the electric shaver and thats close enough for me. But if I am going out for the night or to a special function I use either the Headblade (do not apply pressure just move it) or a regular razor (apply regular pressure) before I rinse in the shower.

The Headblade people have a great demo as well

- What's most important is to get a pattern of how you shave and repeat it that way every day. The first day it took me over a half hour to shave (I went against the grain because I wanted it completely smooth). Now I can shave in about 5 to 10 minutes at most.

Other Tips and Notes:
- Please note that you will still see where you had hair and the spots will still be noticable even after shaving smooth. Your skin needs to adjust to everything and also your scalp has no color so after a little sun light and a little while of shaving it will be less noticable, however you may always be able to see the spots.
- If it's a little painful or you get razor burn don't give up. It says right in the manual for the shaver that it can take up to 30 days for your skin to adjust to everything and it does, trust me.
- I have never cut myself, just some minor burn, but I am also very careful when I shave.

Results:

I hope this helps you if you're thinking about shaving your head. As always if you have any questions please feel free to ask me. Sorry this is so long... haha