While some guys are excited about the latest hair trends, some men are all about a shaved head. When it comes to easy and clean looks, the bald head is one of the most popular haircut styles. If you’re thinking about shaving your head, you’ll need to learn all about taking care of a bald head. Whether it’s washing your scalp, applying a quality moisturizer after, or using sunscreen regularly, keeping your clean shaven head smooth and healthy requires proper maintenance. Bald head skin care is an essential process that will ensure your shaved scalp looks good and stays smooth for longer. To inspire you, we’ve compiled this guide on how to maintain a bald head. From shaving tips to maintenance and care, explore the best ways to keep your shaved head clean and smooth.
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How To Maintain A Bald Head
Shave Your Head With A Quality Razor
When you decide to shave your head, your first step is choosing a quality razor. Your razor will have the greatest impact on the comfort and look of your scalp after shaving, so it is important to research before choosing. When just starting, most men go for a multi-blade disposable razor, as it is more forgiving than single blade options. Once you’re comfortable with the process, you can switch to a safety or straight razor. The reduced cost and increased precision of these blades are major selling points to the more experienced.
Before shaving your head, you will have to do some prep work by buzzing your hair with quality clippers. The best hair clippers are made with sharp blades, engineered to have a powerful motor, equipped with a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and packaged with a complete set of combs and attachments.
You should remove the guard before doing so, which will leave only stubble on top of your head. Afterwards, run your free hand over your head to check for missed spots, and repeat before moving to the next step. Leaving longer hairs can lead to pulling and irritation during the final shave.
Taking a hot shower before you shave is a tried and true way to open up your pores. Lightly shampooing the stubble on your head will remove oil, dirt and dead cells, while softening the skin and remaining hair.
After you shower, and towel off, apply a layer of sensitive skin shave cream. Using a fresh, sharp razor, begin shaving with the grain of your hair in deliberate strokes. Going against the grain can sometimes give you a marginally closer shave, but it will almost always lead to more skin irritation. Remember that rushing this process while you’re still learning can lead to more discomfort after the fact. Take your time, learn the contours of your scalp, and make sure you get a nice shaved head.
Wash Your Head with A Top-Rated Shampoo
Even with a clean-shaven head, you’ll still need to shampoo your scalp regularly. It is not enough to use body washes or bar soaps to clean the top of your head. Those products are not formulated for the sensitive skin on your scalp and will dry out your head quickly.
Shampoos are specifically made to cleanse your scalp while also moisturizing the skin, nourishing hair follicles, and generally maintaining a healthy head. Using a top-rated shampoo for men will prevent flaking, itching, and general irritation. Shampooing regularly will do more for your scalp than moisturizing alone ever could, so it is a vital step to maintaining a healthy-looking bald head.
Hydrate with A Good Conditioner
Conditioner may be one of the most neglected tools in any bald man’s grooming routine, but its importance can’t be overstated. Regularly conditioning your scalp can help restore hair follicle health, lock in nutrients, and keep contaminants out. As a bonus, a quality conditioner will also soften new hair growth and keep your head moisturized, thereby preventing dandruff or dry flaky skin. Having less-bristly stubble will keep your head feeling smooth for longer, and may buy you a little extra time between shaves. Luckily, you don’t have to use conditioner daily, but applying a product in the shower every few days can help maintain your bald head.
Apply A Moisturizer To Your Scalp
Now that you’ve shaved your head, you should make a point of moisturizing every day. Without your hair, your scalp will dry out and flake far more easily. Daily use of a non-greasy moisturizer or skin oil will offset increased exposure to the elements, reduce itchiness and flaking, and lead to a healthier overall look.
Massage Your Scalp
Massaging your scalp is a vital part of your bald head health routine. It will only take five minutes out of your day, and the benefits will make it well worth your time. It’s easy enough to do in the shower while shampooing or massage your scalp after you put on lotion. However, you can also opt to make this a standalone portion of your grooming regimen.
A daily scalp massage will open up blood vessels, increasing oxygen and nutrient supplies to the skin and hair follicles. This exercise will also relieve tension in the skin while providing you with a calm, collected moment. This all adds up to a healthier scalp and overall look.
Protect Your Bald Head
Without hair to protect it, your newly bald scalp will now be exposed to the elements, namely, UV rays. You will need to incorporate sunscreen into your arsenal to preserve the pristine look of the skin on your head. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to dryness, burns, peeling, and swelling.
Even if you aren’t prone to sunburn, this is something to be very mindful of. Dermatologists and health experts recommend shielding your skin from the sun’s harmful rays year-round. Since the top of your head is now the most exposed area of your body, you should get a high SPF sunblock to apply.
When choosing sunscreen to apply, aim to get a product that offers SPF 45 or higher for proper scalp care. Just remember that sunscreen only provides protection for up to two hours, so you’ll need to consistently re-apply throughout the day while outdoors.
An even better option for preventing UV damage is to wear a hat during any outdoor activity. Most stylish bald men have several hats for both summer and winter, offering an easy solution to keeping the sun’s rays away from your scalp. With so many hat styles to consider, this wardrobe staple can be a trendy accessory that looks great while being a crucial part of your skin’s care.
How To Keep Your Bald Head Smooth
- Buzz your hair down with electric clippers.
- Take a hot shower to clean your head and open up your pores.
- Apply shaving cream or butter to your entire scalp for protection.
- Use a quality razor to shave your head with smooth, clean strokes. Be sure to shave with the grain of your hair.
- Rinse or wipe away any excess shaving cream and loose hair.
- Check for any areas you may have missed by running your free hand all over your head and shave these spots as needed.
- Drape a warm wet towel around your head to prevent ingrown hairs.
- Get in the shower and wash with shampoo and conditioner to clean your head.
- Apply an aftershave balm to soothe and moisturize your skin.
How Often Should You Shave Your Head?
Shaving your head regularly is important to maintaining a smooth bald head. You will need to shave your head 1 to 2 times per week for a clean shaved look. If you don’t mind stubble, you can shave less often and still keep it clean with a regular wash. After you shave, make sure to wash your head with shampoo and conditioner to clean your scalp. For proper scalp and skin care, apply a quality lotion or moisturizer to ensure hydration that will keep your head healthy.
How To Stay Bald Without Shaving
Wax Your Head
While not completely permanent, waxing lasts much longer than simply shaving your head. Although the process is painful, rips hairs out by the root, offering a way to stay bald longer. Even when the hair eventually grows back, it will be far less visible and coarse. If you’re tired of shaving consistently and have a high pain tolerance, then this may be the option for you. Some guys experience redness and irritation, so just avoid waxing before any social events or important occasions.
Electrolysis
If baldness is a permanent decision, then electrolysis may be a good fit for you. Unlike laser treatments, electrolysis is FDA-approved, and has very few side effects, if any. This treatment involves the passing of a light electrical current through the hair follicle, which effectively kills it. Over-the-counter products for this exist, but it’s well worth going to a professional dermatologist to get it done.
Since electrolysis is an elective procedure, insurance will not cover it. Each 30-minute appointment costs $45, but this can quickly add up. Many sessions are needed for truly permanent results, and most patients generally set appointments every two weeks.
Hair Removal Cream
If you want a low-maintenance way to maintain your bald head, then hair removal cream is worth trying. However, with all hair removal creams, it is important to spot-test it on another area to see how your skin will react. Everyone’s skin is different and using the wrong product could potentially lead to more irritation than shaving ever would. Once you’ve selected the right product, simply apply it to your head and wait. Most creams take effect within 10 minutes and last two to three days.
Laser Treatment
Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent option if you want to maintain a bald head without shaving. Over the course of several sessions, it will drastically slow down hair growth, although it will never totally stop it. For guys with more sensitive skin, this treatment may not be the best way to go. The most common side effects involve some degree of redness and pain around the treatment area. Skin tone and hair color are also a big factor, as laser hair removal works far better on those with lighter skin and darker hair.
Laser treatment requires between five and ten initial sessions, with one or two follow-up sessions every year thereafter. Since this ranges between $200 and $400 per session, the cost can add up. Before considering this option, any prospective patients should consult with a laser treatment technician to more accurately assess its effectiveness for them.
