Rocking the Bald Look: Essential Tips for Bald Head Care

For lots of guys, rocking a bald head can be liberating. No more bad hair days or hat hair, less money spent on hair care and styling — a recent study even suggests baldness is a powerful business advantage. Bald heads are stylish, have tons of character and mean a lower maintenance grooming routine. But that doesn’t mean you can avoid taking care of your scalp. A bald head is prone to stubble, but also to oiliness and dryness — as well as things like acne, shine, and dandruff. So the skin on your head deserves the same attention as the skin on your face. From shaved head care basics to must-have products and tips, we’re telling you how to take care of a bald head below.

For some guys, going bald is a matter of choice. Others choose the bald look as a more practical way of embracing the inevitable. Going bald can be a challenging process for some, but accepting your baldness can bring a sense of freedom, confidence and self-love. Here are some more of the benefits of embracing your baldness.

Going bald eliminates your need for regular haircuts, styling, and hair products, making your daily grooming routine quicker and simpler.

Going bald can save you money on hair products, haircuts, and styling tools, all which can add up over time. 

A bald head can keep you cool in hot weather, as there is no hair to trap heat or sweat. 

Going bald can be your distinguishing feature, setting you apart from others and making you stand out in a fresh, new way.

Going bald allows for more versatile facial hair and accessories, giving you more ways to experiment with different trends and styles. 

Lots of guys feel more confident and empowered with a bald head, embracing their natural appearance and standing out from societal beauty standards.

Studies have shown that baldness can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, and can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Male pattern baldness can cause your hairline to recede before your hair begins to thin and eventually fall out around the crown and the temples. In this instance, shaving your head can help you look younger.

Wondering how to take care of a bald head? Caring for a bald head requires a different approach than caring for a head of hair. Without hair to protect the scalp from the elements, it's important to take extra steps to keep it healthy and looking its best. Think of your caring for your bald head as part of your skin care routine rather than your hair care routine. From daily maintenance, to shaving techniques and styling, these bald head care tips will keep you looking and feeling great.

Follow these daily tips to maintain the health of your scalp.

When it comes to cleansing, think of your scalp as an extension of your face, or think of it as the place your hair used to be. Essentially, you can choose between a shampoo or a facial cleanser. If you pick a shampoo, choose one that’s hydrating. If you pick a cleanser, then make sure it’s indeed dedicated to the face, and not to the body.

Your scalp needs all of the nourishment it can get to prevent dryness, flakiness, and itchiness. Hydrate the skin on your head just as you would your face. Use a light facial moisturizer after every wash and add a hydrating hair mask weekly into your routine.

Once you go bald, the skin on your head is completely exposed to the sun, and scalp sunburns are the worst kind. As with moisturizing and cleansing, your scalp is more like your face than the rest of your body. Protect it from the sun's harmful rays by wearing a hat or applying SPF to your head, which can prevent sunburn and skin damage.

Follow these shaved head care tips for your healthiest scalp.

Maintaining a shaved head can be daunting. So we recommend a tool that pivots and maneuvers itself with the contours of your head. Better yet, consider a shaver that is palm held and designed specifically for shaving around the entirety of your scalp to ensure a close and comfortable shave. 

It's important to prep the scalp in order to soften the hairs and open the pores before shaving. Start by taking a warm shower and using a scalp scrub to remove dead skin and clogged pores before you shave. This will keep your head smooth, prevent breakouts, and significantly lowers the chances of dandruff.

Apply a generous amount of shaving cream or shave gel to your scalp to further help soften your hairs, improve razor-glide, and reduce the risk of irritation. This lubricates the skin and helps ensure a smooth shave from start to finish.

Shave with light, smooth strokes using even pressure. Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid razor burn, ingrown hairs, and irritation. Work in a pattern that’s comfortable for you.Try changing directions and going against the grain on your second pass.

Rinse the razor frequently to remove hair, shaving cream and dead skin. which can clog the blades and cause irritation. Do not tap your razor against the sink or wipe against a towel; these habits can reduce the life of the razor by affecting the intricate design of the blade components.

Try these styling tips to compliment your bald head.

A head-shine product can create a sleek and polished look on a bald head. A hair oil can be applied in a circular motion to the scalp and rubbed out with a warm towel to create a buffed, shiny effect. A light-hold styling wax can also be used and buffed out to create a similar effect.

Try experimenting with different facial hair styles, such as a goatee, beard, or mustache, to complement your bald head. This can help define the structure of your face, which is especially beneficial if you're round-faced. For a fully-shaved head, match the streamlined appearance of your scalp with closely-trimmed, expertly-shaped facial hair.

Using sunglasses not only adds some flair to your style, but it protects your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Make sure that you select glasses that work well for your face shape and, of course, the same thing applies to reading glasses.

From a practical perspective, hats are extremely useful if you’re bald. They provide needed insulation in the cold, and offer protection from the harmful rays of the sun, and you’ll never need to worry about hat hair.

A bald head can be stylish and sophisticated, but it also comes with its own set of challenges when it comes to care and maintenance. Bald heads are more susceptible to these certain issues.

1. Sunburn - Without hair to protect the scalp, it is more susceptible to sunburn. 
2. Dryness and Flakiness - Bald scalps are more prone to dryness and flakiness, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
3. Ingrown Hairs - Ingrown hairs can be a common problem for bald men, especially after shaving. 
4. Razor Burn - Razor burn can cause discomfort and irritation after shaving. 
5. Odor - Without hair to absorb sweat, the scalp can develop an unpleasant odor. 

Rocking a bald head can be extremely liberating. It can bring about a sense of confidence and empowerment to own your bald headed look. Not to mention the time and money you can save on hair care and grooming. Bald heads are stylish, have tons of character and are an overall lower maintenance vibe. But that doesn’t mean you can avoid taking care of your scalp all together. A shaved head is prone to stubble, but also to oiliness and dryness—as well as things like acne, shine, and dandruff. So your bald head care should be just as important and your skincare routine. Keep these bald scalp care basics, tips and must-have products in your arsenal so that you’ll always look and feel your best in your skin.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor