Summertime Haircuts to Keep Your Head Cool During Heatwaves

Don't consider this article to be a subtle recruitment for joining the military, even though doing so should be squarely up to you anyway outside of the prospect of a future draft. Even if you never join the military, having a buzz cut is something many people try at least once in their lives. And that doesn't necessarily mean with just men. Women are starting to go after the buzz cut look on occasion, just because it's become acceptable enough. It also looks good on women--hence why many are starting to shun wearing wigs when shaving their head due to the prospect of being on chemotherapy for treatment of cancer. So for all intents and purposes, we'll look into the ins and outs of these types of haircuts based on comfort during summer rather than assuming guys will be the only ones you'll see at summer gatherings with their head shaved.

You've undoubtedly heard that getting a buzz cut or a crewcut is a matter of sitting down in a barber chair and getting your head shaved in a matter of a minute or two. While that's true in theory, the barber has to be sure to ask how close the recipient wants his or her hair cut in a manner of so-called grades. Also, the clippers the barber uses has to be of high quality, which means not asking your friend to drag out their razor with the assumption it'll take on cutting your heavy locks.

Obviously, professional barbers will have a pair of heavy-duty clippers that can even take on Phil Spector's hair if need be. For a lot of people who want a buzz cut for the first time, there's usually a lot of ignorance to the realities of getting one. It's always recommended that people know the shape of their face so they can gauge exactly how it'll look once they go ahead with the removal of hair. Many don't really understand how one's face will stand out more when there's virtually no hair on one's head.

Those first-timers to the buzz cut frequently get disappointed with the final result because their appearance changes drastically. If you have a large face that's always been made to look smaller with big hair, the chances are you'll be either pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised when you look in the mirror following your buzz cut. You'll have to guess how your appearance will change on your own, unless the barber is hi-tech enough to have a computer program that can show you an example of how you'll look before the buzz cut becomes reality.

If nothing else, the barber can slowly cut off each layer through the above-mentioned grade system they use and then stop at the layer you're comfortable having. It all goes by six numbers, with six being the least short and the aptly graded zero being down to near bare skin. I suppose the argument could be made that zero is just being shaved bald, even though there's still the minutest stubble left behind at this grade.

For most people, having a buzz cut anywhere between the grade of six and three is the most comfortable. With these, you'll still have a little hair left, yet be able to experience the freedom of having a literal cool head during the hottest times of the summer.

And then there's the crewcut that's no longer representative of a conservative person...

Yes, there was once in a time in America when wearing a crew cut was considered a statement against the more liberal attitudes taking over the country. This was primarily during the 1960's and explains why you'll see the old media clips from then of men wearing crew cuts who, with suit and tie, represented the upholding of 1950's values. That all ended by the 70's when everybody started wearing long(er) hair (with perplexing beards and sideburns). Now, of course, crew cuts are seen being done by young and old alike, depending on their personal philosophy on lopping off their mane of hair.

You'll hear some arguments out there that a crew cut and a buzz cut are the same thing. Well, that's not true at all, depending on the use of semantics. A very short crew cut is technically a buzz cut. But, generally, a long crew cut is one that leaves the top of your hair at about one and a half inches while buzzing the sides much shorter. This particular type of crew cut is usually the most popular when someone wants a little more shape to their hair rather than cutting it all down short. In most circles, you'll hear this one described as an Ivy League crewcut.

Truth be told, the butch crewcut is about as close as you can get to a buzz cut and can safely be said to be the most hip type of haircut someone will get if they decide to go this route. That isn't to say that retro crewcut styles still haven't made a comeback in recent years. The classic flattop crew cuts are a product of a different era, yet may be the most appealing to someone who wants even more hair on top while the back and sides are cut much shorter.

No matter which type of haircut you decide to get before the onslaught of heatwaves in later summer, always plan ahead before getting it done, especially if you're going to be seen by many during a family reunion or something equally important. It'll spare you the pain of seeing people you know staring at your head while strangely wondering why you cut off your hair when you've been known your whole life for having a lot of it. Conversely, don't make it overly obvious that you're getting a buzz cut because you're severely balding.

If your hair grows back as fast as most people's hair does, you'll get your regular hair back within a month already if you didn't like your first buzz cut. In the event you found it comfortable while living in a hot climate, you may find yourself going back every year to get it done again. Or, you might do what a few others do and keep it that way for the rest of your life. For many busy people, not having to take care of an impossibly heavy mane of hair every day is equivalent to removing a metaphorical weight from their head...