Can you Shave your Head with an Electric Razor? (Pros & Cons)

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more

I was reading up on head shaving using traditional straight-edge razors for the process when the question popped up, ‘can you shave your head with an electric razor?’

Often an electric shaver is used and marketed for shaving facial hair. But can they be used on your head?

The answer is yes; you can use electric head shavers. Over time shaver technologies have improved, making them more powerful, easy to use, and safe even in the hands of a beginner. But while they’ve come a long way, there are still some considerations to make before shaving your head.

For instance, is a shaved head a great choice for you? Read up on the pros and cons of a shaved head here. If a bald look isn’t for you, but the hair on your head keeps thinning, read up on how to stop hair loss and why men go bald.

If you decide to continue, below are the right steps to follow, including preparation, shaving technique, and aftershave care.

Prepare your Head for the Shave

To have a comfortable and safe wet or dry shaving session, you need to have the right tools in hand. Below are some of the tools to get before you start shaving:

Mirror

While you can do without a mirror, shaving in front of one is way easier, especially if this will be your first time.

Scissors

You’ll need the scissors to cut long hair. This step applies to those with hair longer than 1 centimeter.

Clippers

This is optional. However, you can use balding clippers to reduce your long hair to stubble.

Electric razors

This is the star of the event. While you are at liberty to choose any, you should purchase electric razors that are designed for head shaving. Experts recommend using a rotary razor because it’s adaptable to contours. But you should know that despite the ‘contour-technology,’ rotary shavers aren’t too kind to sensitive skin.

Aftershave lotion

There are several benefits of using an aftershave lotion. But at the top of the list is moisturizing, disinfecting, and closing the pores.

Some people prefer dry shaving and use powder to lubricate their heads before shaving. This works fine, but experts say it’s key to take a shower before shaving. Taking a shower opens up the pores and softens hair. Consequently, it reduces the chances of tugging and pulling during shaving.

For those with long hair:

After the shower, use your pair of scissors to trim your hair. Follow the same process your local barber follows to do this.

Start with the longest strands at the top of your head and then move to the sides. Take your time and be cautious while working around the ears. For safety, cover your ear with your free hand and cut follicles in little snips. As you do this, work the scissors from front to back.

On the back of your head, start with lower spots ensuring you cut narrow strips. Then, ensure you move the scissors from the lower spots to the top spots.

Before moving on to the next step, use your hands to feel the work you’ve done. Are there spots that you can redo with the scissors? If none, grab your razor.

For those with buzzed hair:

If you already have short hair, you can skip the above step and proceed to wet your head with a towel. Instead, follow the process outlined below:

• Soak your towel in warm water. Using cold water will close the pores, and hot water may scald your skin.
• Squeeze out the excess water gently and leave enough to soften the follicles
• Wrap the towel on your head and let it sit for a couple of minutes. As you wait for the wet towel to work its magic, you can prepare the other products.

After several minutes, the pores will be open, and the hair will soften.

Actual Shaving

Your scalp is ready, and you have a mirror and your razor on standby (fully charged) – good! However, to truly complete your staging, you should get adequate lighting.

If you decide to use a rotary razor, you should use circular movements for the best results. It doesn’t matter whether the movements are in the clockwise or anticlockwise direction, provided you play with both. And after a couple of passes, you can make linear movements. These shaving movements will get rid of the few annoying patches that you might miss.

While shaving, do not exert a lot of pressure on your skin. Instead, use the shaver’s weight.

Aftercare

Post-shave, you should check your head in the mirror or on your phone’s camera or run your free hand on your head to ensure you left no patches behind. Once satisfied, wash your head immediately with cold water and dry it. Afterward, apply moisturizer or aftershave to minimize razor burn, dryness, or irritation.

Next, you should clean the shaver. Lather, gel, and shaving cream accumulate in tiny spaces in the machine and might end up clogging it if not dealt with. A quick wipe down or rinsing under running water will do.

FAQ

Is it better to shave your head with a safety razor or electric?

It depends on your shaving goals and preference. Shaver's are safer and better to access tough spots on your skin without ruining your shaving experience. Most shavers feature flexible heads that adjust to the contours on your head for a comfortable shave. On the flip side, safety razors cut closer to the skin and are milder on sensitive skin. Safety razors are also easier to clean and travel with. But then again the issue of replacing the double-edge blades for a great experience.

Is it bad to shave with an electric razor?

No, it’s not. However, they can be painful when used on longer hair. Also, they don’t cut close to the skin as the best razors for head shaving do. Often you’ll have to go over a single spot multiple times for desired results. As a result, you are more prone to small nicks and razor bumps.

How do you buzz your head with an electric razor?

It depends on the shaver you have on hand. With a rotary shaver, use circular motions. But before you start shaving, prepare the skin by taking a shower and trimming long hair.

Conclusion

Using a shaver is simple and fulfilling if you follow the steps outlined above. As you prepare to shave, make sure you are okay with a bald look. Bear in mind that the results could be great – like the Rock’s or disastrous. Consider the shape of your head for this. But if you can’t picture yourself with a shiny scalp, use TikTok’s bald head filter. What you see could be hilarious or awesome.