A Bald Head Needs Love, Too

For some, it’s a matter of convenience. For others, it can feel like their only option. Either way, the decision to shave one’s head is not something a man arrives at without serious consideration. It carries the potential of a watershed moment that will divide your life with hair from your new life without it.

Of course, for all this inner turmoil, the outside world has really come around on bald men, thanks to the likes of Jason Statham, Stanley Tucci, and MJ, who’s credited with launching the latest edition of this recurring trend. 

In fact, a University of Pennsylvania study found that men with shaved heads were viewed as more masculine and dominant than other men. Even more, they were also perceived as taller (by an inch, on average) and stronger than hairier counterparts. And they were thought to have greater leadership potential.

With great power comes great responsibility. No, seriously. There’s more to going/being bald than shaving your head every few days (or daily). A bare scalp still requires upkeep. The following is a step-by-step guide for what that should look like.

Moisturize.

Whether you’re using an electric trimmer or a manual razor, shaving strips the skin of natural oils, leaving it vulnerable. Moisturizing daily will go a long way toward keeping redness, dryness, and irritation in check. If you shave every day, moisturize right after. Otherwise, do it after you climb out of the shower, along with your face and the rest of your body.

Wear sunscreen.

If you’ve ever gotten sunburn on any part of your scalp before, you know it’s a mistake you’ll never make again. A shaved head takes a direct hit from the sun, meaning not only is there no hair to shield it, it’s also the part of your body closest to the sun. So don’t forget your head when you’re slathering yourself in sunscreen.

Invest in quality tools. And maintain them.

Resist the urge to balk at spending a little more on professional clippers because they’ll pay off in the long run. Aside from lasting years, the blades tend to be far superior. So you’ll get a cleaner shave without any hair-yanking irritation along the way. If you maintain them, that is. Dead skin and tiny hairs left on blades are a recipe for infection and razor burn. Brush them off, then hit the blades with a disinfecting spray and a drop of oil. The whole process will take under a minute.

Exfoliate.

Exfoliate your scalp a couple times a week. It’ll clear away dead skin and keep your head smooth and even. You can do it in the shower, which will allow you to do your scalp and face at the same time. Easy peasy.