Going fully bald, whether out of choice or due to hair loss, can be freeing for many men. You don’t have to stress about having poor hair days, having a bed head, using too much (or too little) style product, burning your scalp with the hair drier, getting a helmet head after cycling, or anything else that comes to mind.
Bald heads are fierce, incredibly fashionable, full of personality, and remarkably low-maintenance. However, that does not imply that you can buzz and then go without caring for your scalp.
Because scalp skin requires the same care as our facial skin, you should take good care of your scalp before you completely shave off all of your hair and follow a post-shave skincare routine for your newly freed head.
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How To Care For A Bald Head
To Bald or Not to Bald?
Some guys decide to become bald on their own. However, given that more than two-thirds of men lose some or all of their hair before the age of 35, some select the bald appearance as a more practical way to accept the unavoidable.
Dihydrotestosterone is one hormone that can cause hairs to miniaturize into smaller hair follicles, which is the root cause of male pattern hair loss.
And while an increasing number of men choose treatments like minoxidil lotion, strengthening shampoos, and oral medications to either slow down or stimulate the regrowth of hair, the prevalence of bald heads today is a glaring indication that an equal number of men are content going hairless altogether.
Prior to going bald
Before you join the club of bald people, here are some maintenance considerations to bear in mind: “While shaving your head bald is clean and crisp, it does require additional upkeep to preserve the look.
Even if the main factors here are moisturizer and SPF, you still need to add this step to your routine. You might also want to think about whether your hair type is suitable for a bald appearance.
Having their hair chopped to the skin causes ingrown hairs in men of color, especially African Americans.
When curly or coarse hair grows back, it can occasionally penetrate the skin, leading to pimples, itchiness, and infection. It is therefore essential to speak with your barber first if you believe any of the aforementioned applies to you.
What to do:
- Trim your hair as short as you can with clippers before you ever consider shaving your head. This will guarantee an even cut by keeping the razor close to the skin. To open the pores and soften the hairs, apply a hot towel on your head. To give your skin an additional layer of lubrication and protection, use a pre-shave oil.
- The less curly your hair is, the more blades you can use to shave with, so keep that in mind when selecting a razor. For instance, a standard three-blade disposable razor should do the trick if you have straighter hair. However, use a single-blade razor if you have coarse, curly hair and sensitive skin since it “prevents further discomfort by only utilizing a single stroke and without cutting the hairs too close.” Every time you shave your head, use a fresh razor to prevent nicks and cuts.
- Bear in mind the shaving cream. To get a close shave, you need to soften the hair and create a surface with the right amount of slip. Additionally, rinse the blade after each stroke to remove extra shaving cream and hair. And mirrors, too. You should have lots of mirrors on hand. To make sure you haven’t missed any areas, you might also want to think about purchasing a handheld mirror.
When You Become Bald
First, thank yourself for making the cut as you check yourself out in all of your mirrors. Welcome to the club of bald people! It’s time to incorporate a few quick changes into your everyday routine to maintain your fresh appearance. The uncovered scalp can appear rather shiny, which is one of the first things you’ll notice. This is entirely typical.
The scalp’s skin can get more glossy as it becomes more exposed since it may not have seen the same level of sun exposure and external stresses as the rest of the body.
In other words, your scalp has not been exposed to the same level of oxidative stress, pollution, and environmental toxins as the rest of your skin, and maintaining that difference is your current objective.
- It’s crucial to quickly take care of yourself after shaving your head each time. Applying a soothing moisturizer or jojoba oil to your freshly shaven scalp will calm and condition it. Refresh your skin with a cold towel. A big dollop of aloe vera gel also works wonders to soothe and prevent irritation or razor burn and to boost general skin health if you’re a novice or prone to discomfort.
- In terms of regular upkeep, treat your scalp similarly to your skin. Your scalp is skin after all! You should therefore move some of your facial skincare routine’s components upwards. This entails cleaning with a small amount of hair shampoo because oils and dirt can still accumulate on a bald head and using a moisturizer every day to keep the skin nourished and healthy.
- Apply SPF last, always. This ought to be assumed. Until it’s gone, you probably didn’t realize how much your hair shielded your head from the light. While a sunburn on the scalp is unpleasant enough on its own, exposing your bald head to UVA and UVB rays on a regular basis can cause the same aging effects as those on the face, such as hyperpigmentation, irritation, and loss of firmness.Since applying SPF to your head may not come naturally at first, it is worthwhile to leave a Post-it note on your bathroom mirror. We are not kidding when we say that this is crucial.
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