Make Mine Bald

The decision to go bald did not come easily. I had hair down to the middle of my back for the better part of 30 years when I made the decision.

Aside from a rare trim, sharp objects had not touched my hair since the mid 70s. So why cut it all off? Simple. My hair was getting thin, very thin and receding. When I looked in the mirror and thought about the future what I saw was a hippy growing older but afraid to cut his hair, still clinging desperately to what was left.

I wore it in a pony tail but that was on its way to being a rat’s tail with a bald spot in the back and receding temples. I did not like that image. So about a week before we moved I stopped by the barber shop for the first time in many years and said shave it off. The barber smiled and seemed to enjoy the process which only took a few minutes.

When I had hair, the upkeep was basic, wash comb out in pony tail. Only took a few minutes each morning, well in the earlier years as my hair was thicker, the washing took longer but as it thinned this became easier.

Now that I have been bald for almost three years and loving every minute of it, I find the upkeep is more than I imagined.

I have a beard because I never liked shaving. So here I am needing to shave my head, at least three times a week, to keep it smooth.

My hair grows fast, but not thick and not all over, so a day or two at most between shaves is all that is necessary for a little white fuzz to begin showing. So I shave. This involves shaving cream and a good sharp razor.

I prefer a gel to a cream. The razor glides and cuts better. My wife does shave my head for me once a week and I do the other two or three shaves myself.

The choice of razor, well a final choice has not yet been made but I do like a manual with three blades, just seems to cut closer.

It is important to put a hot cloth, as hot as you can stand it, on yoru head for a minute or two before shaving. This enables the gel to go and smoother and the blade glides and cuts better.

After shaving a warm cloth removes any gel that may be still there, and it is time for, at least once a week, more in the summer, some vitamin E cream. I do not want my scalp drying out.

I have always worn a hat but they are now a must and my collection is growing. I am partial to beanies. The hat protects from the cold but also from the sun. I do not want a sun burnt head.

All in all it is an easy style to take care of and I like the clean look.