# What Do You Check the Scalp for Before a Head Shave?

> The answer is hypertrophies — bumps or raised growths. Check the scalp for them before a blade ever touches it.

Canonical: https://fadejunkie.com/practice/shaving/analyze-skin-for-hypertrophies-before-shave  
Last updated: 2026-08-11

**The answer is hypertrophies — bumps, moles, or other raised growths. You check the scalp for them before the razor ever touches it.**

Hair density and growth direction matter for how you section and shave the head, but they're not a safety issue. A hypertrophy is a real cutting hazard with a blade running that close to the skin, so it's checked first, before the service starts.

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