Ever heard the phrase “there are many ways to brew your coffee”? Me neither. I think it might be relevant, though. Either way, there are certainly different ways to get a smooth dome. You’re about to learn exactly how to get a bald head without shaving.
It’s true that shaving is a very effective way to get a polished finish when done correctly. But it’s not for everyone.
There are many men out there who hate the feel of a razor blade gliding across their scalp. This is particularly the case in men with sensitive skin.
Irritation, soreness, redness, etc.
Plus, shaving a bald head is quite a time-consuming process. It’s a pretty large area to cover with a relatively small device. You need focus, will-power, and time to get the job done properly.
It’s no wonder that some men look for alternatives, despite the great finish that shaving usually leads to.
Yes, there are alternatives. Each of them carries its own advantages and disadvantages over shaving. That’s what I’ll be delving deeper into in this article.
Let’s get to it.
4 Ways To Keep A Bald Head Smooth Without Shaving
Here are some methods you could try that don’t rely on a razor blade. You may not be drawn to all of them, but it’s important to know what’s available to you.
If you’re curious, try a couple out and see whether they’re for you.
1. Depilatory Creams
Hair removal creams are a great way to get a bald head without shaving. They work the same way on a scalp as they would anywhere else.
Essentially, the cream is applied to your head and allowed to sit for a specified period of time. During this phase, the alkaline chemicals in the cream break down the proteins in the hair.
This dissolves the bases of the hair just under the surface of the skin, which allows you to remove the strands easily when you wipe the cream off.
Click the image below to check it out on
There are benefits of using depilatory creams such as Veet and Nair over shaving.
One benefit is that it’s less time-consuming and more efficient. Less concentration and focus is required to get the job done. You just apply the cream, wait, then wash it off.
Another benefit of creams over shaving is that it’s less likely to give you irritation and bumps. Having said that, your skin not reacting well to the cream is always a possibility.
Overall, creams are more comfortable to use on your bald head than razors are.
You’ll also need to repeat the process at least every couple of weeks for upkeep. This is less than you’d have to shave, but you wouldn’t necessarily call it low maintenance.
A downside of using creams is that they generally won’t give you as smooth of a finish as shaving would. You generally have less control over the outcome and you shouldn’t be too surprised if you’re left with a bit of a 5 o’clock shadow in the horseshoe region.
However, you can get very close to an ideal finish and for many men this is more than enough.
Another downside is the smell – these creams can be pretty pungent so just beware.
It’s also important to make sure that the hair is the correct length before using a depilatory cream on your bald head.
You’ll want it long enough for the cream to be able to take hold (just like a wax strip would) but short enough that the hair strands don’t break in the middle.
Around a ¼ inch would be perfect and this is best achieved using a clipper. So yes, the additional step of clipping it down is necessary prior to applying the cream. But this would be the case with waxing and even shaving as well.
Summary – It’s less time-consuming and uncomfortable than shaving. However, the results may not be as perfectly smooth as what you’d get with shaving. The odor can also be unpleasant before the cream is washed off.
2. Waxing
Waxing a head bald can be a tricky thing to DIY. The main question is whether it’s worth putting yourself through the discomfort, but we’ll come onto that.
I’ve written articles on how to wax chest hair at home before and the technique necessary for waxing your bald scalp is very similar.
The most important technical point would be that you need to ensure that your hair is at an optimal length for waxing. A ¼ inch is usually the best length to trim down to before waxing.
It’s worth having a broad understanding of the different types of wax available for you to use.
Wax can be categorized into hard wax and soft wax.
Hard Wax – Doesn’t require strips. It needs warming up, however, and can’t be used at room temperature. A wax warmer would be ideal, with a microwave being a less than ideal second choice.
The beauty of hard wax is that you simply apply the wax onto your bald head and allow it to grab hold of your scalp stubble. It then forms a strip in itself as it hardens, allowing you to pull it off along with the stubble.
Check out this example on
Soft Wax – Requires strips.
Heated soft wax requires warming up with a wax warmer before applying a film to the bald scalp. Separate strips are then used to remove the wax.
Pre-made strips actually come with the wax already attached to the strips. It’s the most DIY-friendly option. Here’s an example on
The main benefit of waxing over shaving is the fact that you’re actually removing the hair from its root. In contrast, shaving simply cuts the hair at the level of the skin.
As a result, your bald head will look and feel smoother after waxing. It also means that you’ll need to do it less often. This makes upkeep a whole lot more manageable.
The main downside of waxing is pretty obvious – it’s pretty uncomfortable. Waxing is notoriously uncomfortable, particularly the first few times you do it.
Plus, the scalp is quite a sensitive area to wax with a concentrated density of hair. Soreness and irritation may be a problem.
Summary – Waxing will give your bald head a smoother-looking and feeling result than shaving will. If you’re willing to put yourself through the discomfort, it may be worth trying out if you’re really looking to ditch the razor.
3. Hair Clipper
A good hair clipper is a very versatile device. Watching a talented barber wield a clipper is truly a sight to behold.
Although a clipper can be used to do some seriously fancy stuff, it’s also great for a good ol’ fashioned induction-style buzz cut.
It isn’t rocket science.
Remove the guard exposing the naked blade of the clipper. Trim all of the hair down to the same length in all directions and dimensions.
This is the easiest way to maintain a bald head. Its main benefits are that it’s quick and relatively pain-free.
Sure, a clipper blade may not feel all that buttery gliding across your bald head. But it’s definitely more comfortable than shaving because you’re not cutting as close to the skin.
As a result, you’ll get less soreness and irritation.
The main downside is that it definitely won’t give you as smooth of a finish as shaving would. Even with no guard attached (a zero grade), a clipper can only trim down to very short stubble. You’ll still be left with between 0.5 and 1mm worth of hair there.
This can leave a bit of a 5 o’clock shadow appearance in the horseshoe region which may be something you’d rather get rid of.
Summary – If you’re willing to tolerate the appearance of a very short buzz cut, using a clipper with no guard attached is a great way to maintain a bald head. It’s quick, efficient, and relatively comfortable.
4. Sugaring
This one isn’t as well-known, but it’s an effective, all-natural method of hair removal that’s gaining popularity.
It’s very similar to waxing in that a sticky substance is used to grip onto the hair and pull it out from its roots.
A simple sugar paste can be made from lemon juice, water, and sugar. This is mixed into a paste-like consistency that can easily be applied to your head.
There are some significant differences between sugaring and waxing that you may find very appealing.
Sugar paste can be used and applied at room temperature, with no wax warmers or microwaves necessary. As the paste molds and hardens, it can be pulled off in the direction of hair growth to remove the hair.
Strips are unnecessary, as the paste forms a strip in itself as it hardens.
Another benefit is the fact that the sugar paste sticks to the hair more than it does to the scalp skin. This generally leads to less soreness and irritation than waxing would cause.
Plus, once you’re done you can simply wash off the residue with water. No wax residue to worry about.
It may not be for everyone, but it may well be worth trying out if you’re looking for a homemade and effective alternative to shaving.
As with any new product, however, be sure to test out a small amount of the paste on a discrete area of your body and watch out for any rashes or reactions. If there’s a chance you may be sensitive to it, definitely don’t apply it onto your scalp.
Summary – It’s an all-natural alternative to shaving that might be the method for you. It’s cheap, effective, and generally better for use on sensitive areas such as the scalp.
Additional Tips To Keep A Bald Head Smooth
Although the hair removal device or method you use is crucially important, it isn’t everything. There are some maintenance tips and habits you could practice to really make that dome shine.
- Exfoliate – Use either a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliating wash no more than once a week. It removes dirt, oil, and dead cells from the top layer of skin. This leads to easier hair removal (any method) and a happier-looking bald head.
- Moisturize – Do it regularly. It’s especially important in the immediate period after the removal of the hair. When skin is sore and irritated, moisture is a must.
- Bald Balm – A nice post-shave balm could give you a little bit extra, often containing soothing botanical ingredients. Here’s a well-known one you can check out on
Amazon . - Sunscreen – This one is the most important when we’re talking long term. Over time, sun damage can wreak havoc on an exposed, bald scalp.
Tips To Make Shaving A Little Easier
You may find that the alternatives to shaving listed above don’t quite meet your needs. If you do decide to fall back onto shaving as your chosen method of getting a bald head, here are some tips to make things more comfortable.
- Proper Lubrication – Using shaving soap or cream whipped up into a lather using a shaving brush and bowl does allow for a more comfortable shave. It provides more cushion and lubrication than standard shaving gels.
- Consider Safety Razors – Although there’s a bit of a learning curve, once you’ve got the technique down they’re generally less irritating to the skin than multi-blade cartridge razors.
- Use Single Strokes – Try your best not to shave over the same areas multiple times, especially when the lubricant has been wiped off. This should reduce irritation.
- Keep The Skin Taut – Using your non-dominant hand, gently pull your scalp taut in the areas you’re shaving. It reduces the risk of nicks and cuts.
- Use Fresh Blades – This is essential. Dull, blunted blades are a common cause of irritation, tugging, and pulling. The results will never be perfect.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has shown you that you really do have options. There is more than one way to get a bald head without shaving. It’s just about finding the right method for you.
Ultimately, it depends on what you hold to be more important. The method you choose will depend on how smooth you want the finish, how comfortable you want the experience to be, and how time-consuming you want the process to be.
Every bald man is different, with a different set of priorities and personal preferences.
Consider this article as a guide designed to help you get closer to finding the technique that works best for you and your scalp.
Enjoy. Have fun with it.
Ready Sleek founder. Obsessed with casual style and the minimalist approach to building a highly functional wardrobe. Also a fan of classic, vintage hairstyles.
