Shaved head (bald) haircut

A shaved head is a men’s haircut that leaves no visible length: the hair is taken off with clippers without a guard — “zero” — or down to 1–3 mm, and can be finished smooth with a razor. The shape of the head, the forehead line and the beard, if you wear one, become the main features of the look.

A shaved head is a men’s haircut that leaves no visible length: the hair is taken off with clippers without a guard — “zero” — or down to 1–3 mm, and can be finished smooth with a razor. The shape of the head, the forehead line and the beard, if you wear one, become the main features of the look.

Bald is not one haircut but a whole scale. At one end sits the “almost bald” 3 mm guard: you still see a shadow of hair and the natural hairline. In the middle is “zero”: clippers without a guard leave stubble of about a millimetre and the head looks matte. At the other end is the razor-smooth head that catches the light.

The technique only looks simple. The clippers go against the growth, with passes crossing over the crown and the back, where hair lies in different directions — otherwise patches show up in the light. The outline behind the ears and on the neck is cleaned separately: even zero length has a crisp edge.

At Lumberjack a shaved head is done as a Clipper Cut: clippers and a trimmer, no scissors. Together with the consultation and line-up, the visit takes 30–45 minutes.

If you wear a beard, a shaved head gives it the whole stage: the beard becomes the main line of the face. That is why a beard trim is often added to the same visit, so that head and face read as one.

Below: the history of the shaved head and a bit of psychology, the key specs, honest pros and cons, scalp care, and how bald compares with a buzz cut and a boxer.

Going bald is a radical decision, but an honest one. Here is what it gives you and what it costs — less in money than in habits.

Going bald is a radical decision, but an honest one. Here is what it gives you and what it costs — less in money than in habits.

If the pros win — take the chair with confidence. If you are unsure, start with “almost bald” at 3 mm: you will feel the freedom straight away, and it is easier to step back.

Pro: zero styling. The comb, the dryer and the wax can go to a friend — your morning gets shorter.

Pro: honest with a receding hairline. No combing over a thin top or hiding the crown — the question just disappears.

Pro: heat and sport. Your head dries in a minute after a shower or pool, and nothing gets flattened under a helmet or cap.

Pro: focus on the face. Eyes, brows, jaw and beard become more expressive.

Pro: cheaper than a classic cut. A Clipper Cut costs less than a men’s scissor haircut.

Con: unprotected skin. Your head feels sun, frost and wind at once — you will need SPF and a hat.

Con: frequent refreshes. Smoothness lasts a few days, a clean zero a week or two.

Con: everything shows. Scars, moles, bumps and protruding ears come to the fore.

Con: irritation at first. A razor on the head may cause redness at first — the skin needs time to get used to it.

Con: a long way back. Growing back to a regular short cut usually takes a month and a half to two months.

From the first question to the last pass of the trimmer, a shaved head takes 30–45 minutes and four steps.

From the first question to the last pass of the trimmer, a shaved head takes 30–45 minutes and four steps.

1. Consultation. Your barber checks what length you want — 3 mm, zero or as short as possible — looks at your head shape, scars and cowlicks and advises whether to keep a beard or stubble.

2. Taking off the length. If your hair is long, it is first shortened with a guard so that the bare clippers do not pull or snag.

3. Zero. Clippers without a guard go against the growth over every zone, with passes crossing on the crown and at the back, where hair grows in different directions.

4. Outline and finish. The trimmer cleans the line behind the ears and on the neck, the clippings are washed off, and your barber suggests how to look after your scalp at home.

If you want a razor-smooth result, agree on it when booking: the standard Clipper Cut is done with clippers and a trimmer.

Clippers, guards and trimmers are cleaned, disinfected and sterilised after every guest — which matters all the more for a cut right down to the skin.

Heads are shaved at all ten Lumberjack barbershops in Kyiv, daily from 10:00 to 21:00. The price depends on the barber’s level you choose when booking.