While some may try to avoid hair loss, going bald can be a bold style statement. Perhaps ironically, it may seem “easier” to style yourself each day on the surface, but experts share that it’s essential to know how to care for a bald head. After all, you’re literally allowing your scalp to bear all.
“As a hair surgeon, I work with many men who have chosen to shave their heads or have naturally gone bald, and I always tell them that the scalp deserves just as much care as the skin on their face,” said Dr. Ross Kopelman, DO, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration. Even without hair, the scalp produces oil, sweat, and dead skin cells, so maintaining a healthy routine is key.
What should that routine look like, then? Dr. Kopelman and another expert gave advice on how to care for a bald head, including shampoo and moisturizer frequency, the basics, and how to give your scalp some serious TLC.
Should you wash a bald head every day?
There’s not a black-and-white answer to how often to shampoo a bald head. However, experts say that most guys benefit from a daily gentle scalp cleanse. “I usually recommend washing the scalp daily with a mild cleanser or a gentle
Ophelia Bellamy-Lee, a California-based stylist with Salon Philosophie, echoed these sentiments.
“Just like the rest of your skin, it accumulates sweat, dirt, pollution, and free radical damage,” Bellamy-Lee said. “A bald head is more exposed. Plus, it still contains hair follicles even if they aren’t active. Therefore, you will want to care for it the same way you wash your face and body daily.”
Dr. Kopelman said great ingredients to look for in shampoos include:
- Aloe vera
- Panthenol (vitamin B5)
- Glycerin
- Niacinamide
- Tea tree oil
- exfoliating agents, like salicylic acid (“For men prone to oil buildup or ingrown hairs,” Dr. Kopelman specified.)
“Avoid harsh sulfates, alcohol-heavy formulas, and strong fragrances that can irritate the skin,” Dr. Kopelman said.
Your shampoo may hit all of those marks, and you still find a daily cleanse is too much for your scalp.
“If your scalp feels dry or sensitive, it’s fine to alternate between shampooing one day and just rinsing with water the next,” Dr. Kopelman said. “The goal is to remove sweat and oil without stripping away natural moisture.”
Should I moisturize my bald head?
Experts stress that it’s essential to moisturize your bald head each day—just as you do for the skin on your face.
“After cleansing, apply a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer,” Dr. Kopelman said. “Moisturizing helps protect the scalp from dryness, flaking, and that tight, uncomfortable feeling. During the day, a moisturizer with SPF is ideal since bald scalps are especially prone to sunburn and photoaging. At night, you can switch to a soothing, hydrating formula without sunscreen.”
How do I take care of my bald head?
Caring for a bald head is necessary to keep you looking and feeling your best. “Think of it as skincare for your scalp,” Dr. Kopelman said. “A well-cared-for scalp looks smooth, even-toned, and confident, and it reflects the same level of self-care as any other grooming routine.”
Dr. Kopelman and Bellamy-Lee shared their top tips for how to care for a bald head.
1. Master the basics
Dr. Kopelman wasn’t kidding when he advised to think of scalp care as skincare: A. It is (because there’s skin on your scalp) and B. The essentials are precisely the same.
“Cleanse it regularly, exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin, and always moisturize,” Dr. Kopelman said. “Use sunscreen daily. This is one of the most important steps to prevent burns and long-term sun damage.”
Bellamy-Lee notes you’ll want to choose your exfoliant—and when you use it—wisely.
“Exfoliating once a week will keep a bald head smooth and nice and prevent ingrown hairs,” Bellamy-Lee said. “You can use an exfoliating scrub, which will feel great if skin is a little dry, or a moisturizer with a chemical exfoliator. Just don’t use either if you have even a mild sunburn or windburn, because they will make it worse.”
Do nothing else, and your scalp will be better for it. Still, you might benefit from some additional care.
2. Massage your head regularly
You don’t need to head to the barber or local spa for this one (nice as it would be). A DIY massage can also go a long way in keeping your scalp looking healthy.
“Massaging your head daily helps with circulation,” Bellamy-Lee said. “It also helps stimulate the scalp to be able to absorb the products being applied. Find a lotion or oil you like and really massage it in. Don’t just rub the product onto the surface.”
3. Consider liners while shaving
Not everyone is going for that smooth bald look. If you fit that bill, Bellamy-Lee suggests liners.
“Using liners to shave your hair will still give you a light ‘shadow look’ if you choose not to be smooth bald,” Bellamy-Lee said. “Otherwise, using a light shaving gel or cream will give you a cleaner, shinier, sleeker look.”
4. Patch test products
There are tons of scalp care products out there — including ones that swear they’ll reverse hair loss and others that report to help you embrace your baldness. Remember that your scalp is unique, and it’s crucial to ease into a new product to ensure it’s right for you specifically.
“Different products will provide different results for each bald head due to sensitivity or irritability,” Bellamy-Lee said. “Test new products on a small patch to make sure you don’t react before applying to your whole head.”
Bellamy-Lee recommends speaking to a dermatologist about even mild potential allergic reactions — future ones could be worse, so it’s best to look into what ingredients may not “agree” with you.
Takeaway
Baldness is beautiful in its own right, and finding the best products and regimen for your scalp can help you look and feel your best. Caring for a bald head is similar to caring for your face. It’s crucial to shampoo or cleanse, moisturize and exfoliate regularly, plus apply SPF. It’s challenging to say how often men with bald heads need to
