Moisturizing is a great example of a small, simple action that compounds on itself and has a massive long-lasting effect. Although it isn’t anything fancy, it’s a habit that’s neglected by men too often. So, should you moisturize a bald head?
Yes, moisturizing a bald head can make a huge difference to how it looks and feels. Regularly shaving, trimming, waxing, or creaming your dome can be irritating to the scalp. Moisturizing regularly is essential to keeping it soothed and happy.
Although the practice and technique are simple enough, it’s important to know what type of moisturizer you should use. This will depend on personal preference as well as skin type.
The main question to ask yourself is whether you want a matte or shiny appearance to your bald scalp. The type of moisturizer you use will play an important role when it comes to this.
In this article, I’ll be discussing this in more detail. I’ll also be giving you a straightforward, step-by-step tutorial for moisturizing your bald head.
Although it seems simple enough (and in many ways it is), there are a couple of nuances you should follow to get the best results each and every time.
3 Reasons Why You Should Moisturize A Bald Head
If you weren’t convinced yet, here are three important reasons why you should seriously start integrating this into your daily routine.
There are other benefits, but these are the most relevant and striking ones to bear in mind.
1. It Soothes A Sore And Irritated Scalp
No matter what hair removal method you’re regularly using to maintain a bald head, it’s quite likely that it’s a pretty harsh process for a scalp to endure.
Some are harsher on the skin than others. For example, shaving is more irritating to the scalp than trimming. Waxing causes more soreness than sugaring, and so on.
But no matter what method you use, it should always be followed up by the application of a good moisturizer.
Sore, angry, irritated skin needs moisture more than anything else. Many moisturizers also have soothing botanical ingredients that are great for a freshly-shaved scalp. For example, aloe vera or green tea.
The immediate period following the removal of hair is when moisturizing is most essential. However, regular application on a daily basis is an excellent habit to get into.
Even the application of shampoo (yes it’s still recommended for bald heads) can be drying for the scalp. Moisturizing afterward can only ever be a good thing.
2. It Reduces The Appearance Of Wrinkles
Well-moisturized and well-hydrated skin looks plumper and less fragile. This actually smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles, making them look less noticeable.
Although moisturizers won’t necessarily prevent wrinkles unless they contain sunscreen with SPF protection, it does make existing ones look less prominent.
Don’t get me wrong. A well-groomed man ages like a fine wine. Although baldness does carry with it an intense masculinity and magnetism, it’s a pretty strong tell-tale sign of aging.
Moisturizing a bald head is a great way to keep it looking youthful, strong, and virile.
3. It Prevents Flaking
Going bald does bring about a range of benefits when it comes to grooming. Not having hair does significantly lower your maintenance requirements in the long run.
However, neglecting basic habits like moisturizing can lead to a dry, flaky scalp.
The absence of hair can fool people into thinking that dandruff and flaking are a thing of the past. Unfortunately, these are issues of the scalp and not of the hair.
Moisturizing is a great way to prevent this, keeping it looking happy and healthy.
What To Use To Moisturize A Bald Head?
Although the basic effects of moisturizers are the same, they do vary in certain ways. You’ll find that certain moisturizers meet your needs more than others.
Here are a few factors to consider when deciding what to use:
SPF Sun Protection
Sunscreen is essential for bald men. Not having that layer of hair does leave the scalp exposed to the damaging effects of the sun.
Applying sunscreen separately to a moisturizer is no big deal. However, if you’re looking for a more convenient solution, there are moisturizers with SPF protection you could try out instead.
Here is an example on
Soothing Botanical Ingredients
Using a moisturizer with ingredients such as aloe vera or green tea are particularly useful immediately following a shave.
These ingredients do have a soothing effect on sore, inflamed skin that men with sensitive skin should really consider.
Here’s an example of one on
Matte Or Shiny Finish
It’s no secret that some men prefer their bald head shinier than others. This is a very interesting variation in preference that you should definitely consider when choosing your moisturizer.
It’s also down to skin type. If your skin leans toward the oilier side of the spectrum, you may want to choose an oil-free moisturizer with a matte finish.
If it leans towards the drier end of the spectrum, you’ll want something heavier.
If you’re looking to reduce or minimize the amount of shine, consider a matte moisturizer. These are quickly absorbed, lightweight, and oil-free. This leaves the bald head looking less shiny overall.
Here’s an example of a matte finish moisturizer on
Alternatively, you may be looking to add some shine to your head. Again, this is totally down to personal preference as well as skin type. If your scalp leans toward the drier side, you may want something heavier to apply.
Skin oils are an excellent option. Rubbing some jojoba oil, argan oil, or almond oil into your bald scalp is a great way to quickly add some shine.
How To Moisturize A Bald Head In 6 Steps
Here’s a concise, step-by-step routine that should work for you no matter what skin type you have. In my opinion, this is the best way to moisturize a bald head.
1. Perform A Patch Test With Every New Moisturizer
This step is very important whenever you try out a new moisturizer. It’s impossible to know whether or not your skin will react badly to a new product before trying it out.
It’s always better to try it out on a small, discrete area of skin before rubbing it all over your scalp. A rash on a bald head is impossible to hide without a hat.
I usually use my elbow as my patch test area. Apply a small amount of the moisturizer to your patch test area and review the area after 24 hours.
If there’s any sign of redness, inflammation, or a rash, don’t proceed to rub this all over your head!
Choose a different moisturizer and repeat the process.
2. Wash Your Bald Head
This could mean one of two things. It either refers to a simple rinse using water only, or it means a full-blown shampoo clean. Either way, it shouldn’t take up too much of your time.
One of the beauties of being bald is that washing and drying become incredibly convenient.
You may be wondering why you’d ever bother applying shampoo onto a bald head. Shampoo is just as important for bald men as it is for not-bald men. Its benefits are for the scalp as well as the hair.
Shampooing should only be done twice a week at a maximum. Any more than that is most likely going to be too drying for the scalp.
Once you’ve washed your bald head, it’s time to prep it for the moisturizer.
3. Gently Towel Dry Until Slightly Damp
Moisturizer is absorbed more quickly and efficiently when the skin is slightly damp.
Once you’ve washed your head, gently dab it using a soft, dry towel until your scalp is just that – slightly damp.
Not too wet, as that’ll have the opposite of the intended effect.
Leaving it slightly damp following a rinse with lukewarm water is ideal for the application of moisturizer.
It’s also great because the moisturizer can lock in the moisture lying on the surface.
4. Rub In The Moisturizer
We’ve talked about what factors to consider when choosing a moisturizer. Take into account your personal preferences and skin type.
At this point, it’s time to apply the moisturizer onto that dome.
Using the balls of your fingers, gently rub the moisturizer into your scalp. Use circular motions and be sure not to leave any area untouched.
Once you’ve applied it, give it a couple of minutes to absorb before applying anything else.
5. Apply Some Sunscreen
This is more important if the moisturizer you’re using doesn’t actually contain any SPF protection. But even if it does, it may not have enough protection.
You may well need to follow that moisturizer up with additional, separate sunscreen.
Sunscreen is usually thicker than moisturizers and so should be applied a few minutes afterward.
As I mentioned earlier, bald heads are particularly exposed to the damaging effects of the sun. Although this is even more important in sunny weather, it’s a good habit to get into year-round.
UV rays can penetrate even in cloudy weather. Over time, this can have lasting, harmful effects.
6. Don’t Overcomplicate It
Skin tutorials are generally overcomplicated online. At the risk of playing into a stereotype, when it comes to grooming, men like to keep it simple.
It’s true that there are other products you could apply to your skin. Cleansers, toners, serums, the list goes on.
This routine should be enough for the vast majority of men. Applying a moisturizer onto a clean bald head and following it up with some sunscreen should be enough.
If you wanted to experiment with other products, that’s fine too.
But I often find that the simpler a routine is, the more likely you are to stick with it and make it a habit. The more products you use and the more complicated your routine is, the less likely you are to stick with it for the long run.
It’s more important to be consistent with it.
How Often Should You Moisturize A Bald Head?
A bald head should be moisturized at least once a day. A once-a-day habit won’t be too difficult to stick to.
However, there are circumstances in which you’ll want to moisturize more often.
Colder weather can be particularly drying to the scalp and may lead you to moisturize more often than you would have to in warmer months.
As I mentioned earlier, moisturizing should be done after any method of removing hair. This could be shaving, trimming, waxing, etc.
Moisturizing after rinsing or shampooing is also a good habit to get into. The cleansing properties of shampoo can be quite drying to the scalp at the same time.
If you exfoliate your bald head, it’s important to follow it up with a moisturizer. Exfoliation is a great way to remove dirt, oil, and dead cells from the top layer of skin.
However, it can also be quite harsh on the scalp. It can cause dryness and irritation, particularly in the short term. So, be sure not to do it more than once a week.
Be sure to follow it up with your moisturizer of choice.
Conclusion
It would be impossible to overstate the importance of moisturizing in general. It’s so simple and yet so rarely done consistently that it can almost be considered a hidden secret of the well-groomed man.
Small, incremental improvements lead to large, compounded effects.
Using the right moisturizer for your particular skin type and personal preferences could be one of those small improvements you could start quite easily.
Make a habit of it. It’ll get to a point where your bald head will feel weird without a moisturizer. You’ll crave moisture when you don’t have it – this is a good thing.
But keep it simple. It really isn’t rocket science, no matter what cosmetics companies may lead you to believe. You don’t need a dozen different products to keep a bald head happy.
Keep it clean, keep it moist, and protect it from the sun. Follow these basic principles and you really won’t go too far wrong.
Ready Sleek founder. Obsessed with casual style and the minimalist approach to building a highly functional wardrobe. Also a fan of classic, vintage hairstyles.
