There used to be a time when extreme buzz cuts and going straight up bald were considered straight-up rebellious. Now, it is nothing but cool. Who can blame it? Celebrities such as Idris Elba and The Rock are rocking the short ‘do – pretty much effortlessly, we might add. Some of us might be naturally balding and that’s nothing to be ashamed of as well, we should feel empowered to werk whatever we got with confidence. But before we pick up a shaver, there are a few things to consider for the pre and post-care of our fresh scalps. Yes, shampoos are still necessary but we will break it down, below.
Pre-shave preparations
First things first, having the right equipment is half the battle won. This ensures you avoid accidental cuts or grazes. Unlike the movies, it’s highly recommended that you don’t just go ham on your scalp with a razor. Instead, it’s best that you cut it down first with a good pair of sharp scissors to lower the chances of dragging or knotting of the hair by the clippers.
For buzz cuts, clippers with the ‘0’ or ‘1’ guards will aid you in achieving that edgier look. However, if skinhead is the goal, a good razor with disposable blades and shaving cream is a must. The shaving cream will soften the skin around the hair, which makes the shaving process smoother and cleaner.
Here are some of our favourites:
Supply Co. Razor
Claus Porto Shaving Cream
Post-shave care
There is an underlying misconception that being bald would not require the use of hair care products. So let’s bust this myth once and for all. The scalp is much like the skin on our faces — it requires cleansing and hydrating. Yes, we are talking about shampoos, moisturisers, oils, and sunscreens to prevent the scalp from ageing, peeling, and dandruff. Here are some of our recommendations for a comprehensive regimen to get in on:
1. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
Newsflash: Having a bare scalp can actually feel itchier than before the big shave. This shampoo is soothing and helps to alleviate the irritation with ingredients such as piroctone olamine and climbazole, which help to prevent dandruff. It also contains salicylic acid that melts away dead skin cells and other debris on the scalp.
2. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Some of us might have oilier scalps. Should you be one of them, you should aim to balance your scalp’s oil levels with certain ingredients. The charcoal in this treatment will manage the excess oil while hyaluronic acid and aloe vera will keep the skin hydrated. The treatment should be used right before bed and after a shower while your skin is still damp.
3. Murdock London Post Shave Balm
Moisturising is key for healthy skin. This balm does not only contain anti-inflammatory ingredients such as witch hazel and mallow extract, but also comprises a chockful of other ingredients designed to smoothen and close pores to prevent scalp acne.
4. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it another hundred thousand times over. Sunscreen is the most important step for the skin. Our hair typically prevents our scalps from being burnt by the UV rays, which is why it is imperative for shaved heads to be slathered in copious amounts of sunscreen. Peeling skin is far from sexy, trust us.
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