It’s easy to think that rocking a bald head is much easier than sporting a full head of hair—and in some ways, it is. By being bald, you’ll save tons of time and money on styling your hair, visiting the barbers and fussing with your appearance in the mirror.
However, there is more to taking care of your dome than you might think. When it comes to their daily routine, bald men have their own unique set of challenges.
Whether you’re about to take the plunge and shave your head or you need some tips on how to care for your dome, here are some things you should know about bald head care:
- As a bald man, protecting your head from the sun’s harmful UV rays should be priority number one. A daily men’s moisturizer with SPF on both your face and scalp is critical to keeping skin healthy and youthful.
- Using body wash on your head can lead to excessive dryness of the scalp. Stick to regular shampoo or use a daily face wash for men.
- Razor burn and acne on the scalp are not uncommon for bald men. Treat both by switching to a single-blade razor and using a powerful men’s acne treatment system.
1. Skip the Body Wash
A lot of men use body wash on their scalp with zero trouble. But for some men, body wash can throw off their scalp’s pH balance and cause extreme dryness or excessive oil.
While you may not have hair on your head anymore, it’s important that you stick to using regular shampoo for your head. You don’t need much—just a dab to wash away dirt and grime.
Better yet, use a men’s daily face wash which is free from fragrances and dyes. This is a great alternative to everyday shampoos because a men’s face wash is specifically designed to cleanse the skin without over-drying it.
GOT WRINKLES?2. Use Daily Sunscreen
We can’t stress how important it is to slather sunscreen on your scalp every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, men are at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer compared to women.
By protecting your scalp every day with sunscreen, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing deadly skin cancers such as melanoma. Besides, daily sunscreen is essential if you want to keep your scalp looking youthful and healthy.
3. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Another must-do for bald men is hydrating their handsome dome daily. Unless you want to speed up the development of age spots, using a daily moisturizer all over your scalp is vital.
For the best results, apply a men’s daily moisturizer with SPF. Not only will you get the hydrating benefits, you’ll also protect your skin from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays.
It’s also important for bald men to use a night cream before they go to bed. Think about it—your skin does most of its work at night. Take advantage of this process with a powerful men’s night cream on your face and scalp.
4. Always Keep a Spare Hat Handy
In addition to applying daily sunscreen, it’s always a good idea to keep a spare hat in your car or by your desk at work. This added sun protection ensures you’re covered, even if you missed a spot with your sunscreen.
If it sounds like we’re harping about daily sun protection for men, it’s because we are. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, men make up more than half of new cases of aggressive melanoma.
Researchers aren’t sure yet whether this is biological or behavioral, but you can lower your risk by practicing safe sun behavior such as wearing a hat whenever you’re outside.
Take the skin care quiz5. Shave Using a Single-Blade Razor
Although multi-blade razors are believed to yield a closer shave, they are also notorious for causing ingrown hairs and skin irritation. On the other hand, single-blade razors are designed to glide gently over your face and remove hair without causing irritating bumps.
Prepping your bald head for shaving is just as important as prepping the skin on your face. Be sure to open hair follicles by taking a warm shower first, followed by a pre-shave gel.
Then, lather on a shave cream and take your time shaving around the different angles on the back of your head. Follow up with a soothing balm or men’s moisturizer for a smooth, hydrated dome.
Bald Head Care Made Simple
While there remains a stigma around bald heads, this is slowly changing. As more celebrities and athletes rock their shaved heads with pride, men are beginning to follow suit and unashamedly sport a smooth scalp.
If you decide to take the plunge and shave your head, just remember that you still need to follow a daily skin care regimen. With some daily head care, you can keep your bald head appearing youthful and handsome for years to come.