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It doesn't matter why your head is stark bald—whether it’s by choice, because it's a tough look, or from making a dignified surrender in the battle against hair loss (when it's still a tough look). You still need to tend to the skin up there. Not having hair does not give you a free pass, it simply changes the rules.
So, today we’re going to answer questions like “Do I still need shampoo if I don’t have any hair?” as well as "Which sunscreen should I use on my bald head?" No more head-scratching questions will remain.
(And for more on actually shaving your head, read our guide.)
If you’re bald for the long haul, then you can ignore this first tip. But guys who shave their head by choice should recognize that they still harbor a bunch of follicles and potential future hairs inside the scalp. Don’t forget that they’re there, and that any sunburns or other poor lifestyle choices can impact their long term wellness.
It also might be worth your while to let them sprout up every so often, to ensure that they’re still as dense as you remember. Because the last thing you might want is to decide to grow it out again, only to realize that you’ve got no choice left.
Your scalp will need all of the nourishment it can get. And for this, you need to think of your above-the-neck skincare regimen as one that now includes the entire dome—you should hydrate the skin up top just as you would on your face. Keep it light up there, though, especially if you had oily hair in the past. You don’t want to suffocate those pores, which could lead to excess sweating, shine, or even pimples. Either use a designated bald-head hydrator, or use a facial moisturizer for the task.
For cleansing, you can think of your scalp as an extension of your face, or think of it as the place your hair used to be—you can choose between a shampoo and a facial cleanser. If you go with the ‘poo, then pick one that is especially hydrating. If you pick a cleanser, then make sure it’s indeed dedicated to the face, and not to the body. We especially love cleansers with salicylic acid for this reason, since they can help temper oil levels in the skin and prevent excess shine down the road. (They help exfoliate, too!)
Your dome is now completely exposed to the sun, and scalp sunburns are the worst kind—trust us. As with moisturizing and cleansing, your scalp is more like your face than the rest of your body. So use use an SPF moisturizer or a facial SPF on your head.
If you’re going to be shaving back there, then you can’t trust yourself to do so blindly, no matter how much you get the hang of things. Get a second handheld mirror so you can see what you're doing back there.
As much as we admire the guys who shave their heads with a safety razor, we highly recommend you get 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. It’ll make the entire process much smoother, literally.
Maintaining a shaved head can be daunting, especially if you intend to keep a polished dome every day of the week. That’s why we’re huge advocates for having an electric shaver—something that does the job without any stress. You can probably even skip using a mirror if it’s ergonomically perfect for the task (like a palm-held device), and best of all, the e-razor will never break the surface of your skin. So, gone are any nicks, cuts, ingrown hairs, irritation, and the like. Yes, you might need to use it daily (since it doesn’t cut quite as close as a razor), but the actual maintenance process becomes exponentially easier. You’ll be done in a minute versus 10 or 15.
On top of feeling incredible, a scalp scrub goes a long way in keeping your head smooth and in preventing breakouts. It removes dead skin and prevents clogged pores, as well as significantly lowers the chances of dandruff and fungal proliferation. You can also consider using a chemical exfoliant up there, or cleansing with an exfoliating wash daily to achieve the same goal.
One thing to have readily available for your bald head is an anti-shine product or two. Like a mattifying primer (which can be worn under a moisturizer) or a mattifying moisturizer. Many people also like to tote anti-shine blotting papers for this very reason, if not a wet wipe or two to just reset as needed, especially on a hot day.
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Even if you don’t frequently experience dandruff, it can be smart to prevent such an outbreak, especially since the flaking and peeling will be more evident on a bald head. Truth be told, if you exfoliate regularly, you should prevent any real risk, but there is also the option of using an antifungal shampoo once every so often (like once a month, if you rarely experience flaking), just to neutralize any potential fungal buildups. It’s quite easy to have a drug-store brand bottle of shampoo in the shower, just for those ifs, whens, and not-todays. Get one with Ketoconazole or Zinc Pyrithione; the latter also counters dermatitis.
