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Not that long ago, if a man was losing his hair, his options were limited. The predominant styles for balding men were either a terrible comb-over, the horseshoe-headed monk look, or a toupee.
Perhaps this is because, until relatively recently, men wore hats most of the time in public. So if they had a cringeworthy ‘do under their bowler or fedora, most people were none the wiser.
But it’s the 21st century, and we’ve been rocking uncovered heads for decades now! And as we all left mandatory hats behind, the balding among us had time to really get a good look at what was going on in their scalp regions.
Many modern balding men decided to just shave their heads completely, and thus the cueball look for balding men became the favorite haircut for men with thinning hair. Heck, clean shaving your head has become so fashionable that even men without male pattern hair loss are grabbing a razor and going for the nude scalp look.
If you’re facing a follicular shortage (losing your hair, mate), you may be looking at when to shave your head if you’re going bald. You may also be intimidated by the prospect of a totally bald head and are looking for shaving head benefits to push you to make the decision.
Does shaving your head increase hair density?
There is a common myth that shaving your head can increase hair density, but is there any truth to this claim?
The truth is that there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The density of hair on your scalp is determined by genetics and shaving your head will not alter your genetic makeup. However, there is a scientific study that suggests that shaving your head can make your hair appear thicker.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that when hair is shaved, it grows back with a blunt tip, which can make it appear thicker and coarser. This is because the blunt tip reflects more light, making the hair appear fuller. However, this effect is only temporary, and as your hair grows out, it will return to its normal thickness.
While shaving your head may not increase hair density, it can provide other benefits. So, if you're thinking of shaving your head, consider the pros and cons, and make a decision that is right for you.
Benefits of shaving your head
One benefit of clean shaving your head is the way people will perceive you. A recent study showed that completely shaven bald men were perceived as more dominant, masculine, confident, and somehow more powerful than men who were showing male pattern baldness but had not shaved their heads completely. Makes sense - all the best supervillains are bald.
Shaving your head can shave off the years, too. Completely clean-shaven bald men are often perceived as younger than men who are losing their hair and haven’t totally shaved their heads.
The level of gray and the amount of hair a man has are good indicators of age. Take away those receding graying strands, and you could instantly look ten years younger.
Another benefit of shaving your head bald is saving time. With a completely hairless scalp, you won’t have to worry about brushing your hair, showers will be a breeze, and you’ll save heaps of time on grooming.
It’s not just about saving time, though, mate. Once you start shaving your head, the panic you’ve been feeling over going bald is finally put to rest.
No more wasting time and energy babying your hair into just the right concealing hairstyle with the right combination of products and artistry, no more existential dread when you find a few more hairs on your pillow in the morning. In fact, with a shaved head, you’ll look forward to losing more hair - it saves time on shaving!
How to properly shave your head
Before you bust out the razor (which is nice and sharp, so it’s cutting its best), make sure you trim all excessively long hair as close to the scalp as possible.
- Turn on the warm water and rinse your scalp. You want a clean scalp, so you don’t risk an infection should you nick yourself, but warm water also helps soften the follicle to make for an easier shave.
- Apply natural shaving cream or gel to the scalp as directed.
- Start shaving at the very top of your noggin and use slow, gentle strokes in the direction that hair grows. Rinse off the blade of the razor after each stroke.
- Fold your earlobes down against themselves to protect them when you shave the sides of the head.
- Shave the back of the head last, working down the length of your neck.
- Check for spots you missed in the mirror and go back if necessary.
- Thoroughly rinse your scalp in cool water and pat dry with a towel.
- Follow with a skincare routine for the scalp.
Side effects of shaving your head bald
As with any new hairstyle (or lack of hairstyle in this case), there is going to be an adjustment period of getting used to having a clean-shaven scalp.
Depending on the season and your previous level of hair coverage before the big shave, you may be shocked at how cold a bald head gets. Be sure to dress warmly and have a hat ready if need be!
But then there’s the opposite problem. If it’s a warm season, you may get a surprise sunburn in a new place after your first day of fun in the sun. With a shaved bald head, you have to remember you now have a whole new area to sunscreen.
There are also the problems that come with shaving any part of your body, like ingrown hairs, razor burn, nicks and cuts, irritation, and dry, itchy skin. These are less likely to happen if you take care of your newly-shorn scalp in the proper fashion.
How to care for a shaved bald head
You may have thought that shampoo was in your past, mate, but you’d be wrong. Shaved scalps still exude the same oil and sweat that a hairy scalp does, so you still need to clean it regularly unless you want a greasy head with clogged pores (yum, sign us up!).
VITAMAN moisturizing shampoo made with natural ingredients has been created to gently cleanse the scalp.
Exfoliation is a great next step in removing excess dead skin cell buildup and grease. Exfoliating once a week, preferably right before shaving, is going to make shaving easier and your skin softer and clearer.
You want people to rub your head for good luck, don’t you?
After shaving, moisturize and protect your scalp with a quality all-natural scalp treatment. Formulated to soothe dry, itchy, flaky scalps, help heal, and prevent from recurring.
Enjoy your new chrome dome, friend!
