Whether your bald head is the result of natural hair loss, health demands, or style choice, a shiny bald head is an immediate attention grabber. A shiny bald head announces that you have embraced your bald look. It radiates confidence and strength.
In order to rock a beautifully bald head, you’ll need to make informed choices about your hair and scalp care. The best way to get a shiny bald head is to implement a combination of proper cleansing and shaving habits, regular moisturizing routines, and careful sun protection.
How to Get a Shiny Bald Head
Many people choose to shave their heads, embracing the style as strong, sexy and attractive. Others may not have chosen to say goodbye to their hair but have decided to go with bold acceptance rather than covering their heads with wigs and hats or looking into hair implants.
Shiny bald heads exude health, power and assurance. You can make a bald head shine by making informed choices about the products you use and by establishing a scalp care routine that moisturizes and nurtures your skin.
In this article, we’ll look at:
- the best methods of hair removal for a shiny bald look
- skin care habits you should establish to give your scalp that healthy glow
- the importance of moisturizing your bald head
- the dangers of too much sun exposure
- various products you can use to enhance the brightness of a shiny scalp
Careful Hair Removal
The first step to ensuring a smooth, shining bald head, is careful hair removal. Before shaving, make sure to soften your hair by soaking your head in warm water. A good way to do this is to take a hot shower. Softened hair is much easier to shave, so taking this simple step will put less stress on your scalp.
Lather your head with a liberal amount of moisturizing shaving gel. Regular shaving is one of the first causes of a dry scalp, and a dry head will not be a shiny one. Indulge your head with a great product to keep it hydrated and happy. Pre-shave gels prepare your skin for the razor to glide easily over it, reducing irritation.
Once you have prepared your skin and hair for the razor, use a soft shaving brush to apply a generous amount of shaving cream in a circular motion over your scalp. The use of the brush and circular motion will lift the hair, so you’ll be able to achieve a close, smooth shave.
For the actual shaving, make sure to choose an extremely sharp razor. This will guarantee a smooth shave with no missed bristles. It will also keep the shaving process from irritating your skin. A dull razor can lead to cuts, bumps, redness and roughness on your scalp.
A razor with multiple blades like the highly recommended HeadBlade ATX is usually a good way to go, as they generally allow for a gentle, close shave. As one blade passes over the scalp, it cuts and lifts the bristles, allowing the next blade to shave them even closer to the skin.
For a more sensitive scalp, or if you are prone to ingrown hairs, you may want to go instead with a single, double-edged blade of a safety razor. Fewer blades will cause less friction and irritation to your skin.
If you regularly shave your face, you may think shaving your head will be exactly the same, and it does have a similar process. However, your head has more curves than your face, something that may take some getting used to. Razors with a flexible handle can help you accomplish a smooth shave without nicking yourself.
To keep the skin from bunching and avoid cutting yourself or missing sections, pull your scalp flat ahead of the razor. Shave along the contours of your head with gentle strokes and be sure to rinse your blade frequently. As we’ll note further on, it’s a good idea to follow up a shave with a mild post-shave moisturizer.
Admittedly, the razor is the most common way to get a bald head. But is a razor the only way to remove scalp hair?
Can you wax your head?
Another common method of hair removal is waxing. Waxing removes hair from the follicle, leading to a smoother, longer-lasting hairless look. You may be wondering if waxing is a good way to remove the hair on your head. After all, both you and your scalp may be tired of shaving, and a smoother and longer-lasting solution would be perfect.
While it is possible to wax your head, there’s a reason it is uncommon. Different parts of the body are more sensitive to the pain of waxing, and the scalp is one of them. Having your head waxed can be extremely painful, to a point where few people feel that it is worth it.
If you are curious about the use of hair wax (used to style hair for a slick, shiny look) to make your scalp shinier, this is an option which will be discussed later in this article.
Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliating
Glowing skin is healthy skin. One of the most basic ways to achieve a gleaming bald head is to take great care of your scalp. This means cleaning it regularly with gentle soaps or cleansers.
It’s best to avoid products that contain a lot of chemicals or strong perfumes as these may damage and dry out your skin. Dry skin can be blotchy and scaly, and it definitely won’t be shiny. It’s not impossible that you’ll end up dealing with dandruff even with a shaved head.
Even though you won’t be lathering hair, still go with shampoo to give your scalp a good cleansing and conditioning. Regular body wash will dry out your scalp.
If at all possible, choose an all-natural or organic shampoo that will sooth and nurture your skin. Look for a product containing healthy oils such as argon or jojoba. These ingredients will cleanse your scalp while replenishing it rather than completely stripping it of its natural lubricants.
You may want to follow up with an all-natural conditioner to increase the softness of your skin and avoid dandruff.
If you find it necessary, you may also use a gentle exfoliating product to remove the dead skin cells that lead to a dull scalp. Regular exfoliation deep-cleans your skin and clears out pores that may otherwise become blocked or ingrown.
An exfoliant should be used before shaving. Again, you will want to choose a gentle exfoliating formula specifically developed for bald heads or faces.
Moisturizing
Along with proper skin cleansing and hair removal techniques, keeping your scalp moisturized is one of the most important elements of a shiny bald head. Dry skin not only appears dull and rough, it also makes regular shaving difficult and can be itchy and uncomfortable. You should apply a moisturizer to your scalp daily to keep it smooth, supple and glossy.
The best moisturizers may come in the form of either lotions and creams, oils or gels. It’s a good idea to use a moisturizing pre-shaving gel every time you shave your head. Gels usually absorb very quickly into the skin. Aloe Vera is a natural product that will hydrate your skin and keep it glowing with health, and many great moisturizing gels include it as an ingredient.
Cold pressed castor oil is another great, all-natural choice as a moisturizer. It’s perfect for relieving itching skin and hydrating dry patches. Other moisturizers may contain olive oil or shea butter. These healthy ingredients will increase the shine of your head while keeping it smooth and elastic.
Oils don’t absorb as completely as gels, so you will likely want to gently buff your head dry with a soft towel after applying any natural oils or oil-based products.
Traditional skin creams such as Ponds or Noxzema have stood the test of time and work well for moisturizing a bald head. When it comes to lotions and creams, its best to go for as simple a product as possible.
Look for moisturizers that contain vitamins and natural ingredients like aloe, shea butter and jojoba oil. The best moisturizers will rejuvenate your skin, leaving it youthfully smooth and bright. They will decrease dryness, itchiness, dandruff and discoloration.
Every time you shave, finish up by squeezing some of your chosen moisturizer into your palm and massaging it into your scalp. You can then pat (don’t rub) away any excess moisture with a soft towel.
Protecting your head from dryness goes hand in hand with protecting it from too much exposure to the sun. Some moisturizers may already contain sun-resistant ingredients, but it’s always best to add another layer of protection if you intend to be out in the sun for any amount of time.
Protection from Sun
No one here is arguing that you need hair to look amazing and cool. One thing hair is useful for, however, is protecting your sensitive scalp from the sun. With a bald head, you will need to do this in a variety of other ways.
Ten minutes or so of sunlight is fine and can actually be very good for you as your skin absorbs the feel-good vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, however, can be very dangerous for your skin. It can cause painful sunburn, splotchy discoloration, unsightly peeling, freckles and even skin cancer.
Sun-damage caused by long hours of exposure over the years can lead to a condition called actinic keratosis, which shows up as rough, scaly patches of skin and must be closely monitored as is it capable of turning into a malignant skin cancer.
Taking measures to protect your bald head from the sun is vital for healthy, glowing skin.
Wearing a hat or handkerchief whenever you plan to be out in the sun is one easy way to protect your head from overexposure. Hats and kerchiefs can also be a fun way to further explore your style. Are you more of the fedora or straw-hat type?
Another easy skin-protection measure that regular application of sunscreen. For full protection, it’s best to go with a product that offers an SPF of at least 15 (more if you have very fair skin). Sunscreen lotions often also contain moisturizers, or you can use moisturizers that contain sunscreen, combining two of your head-care habits into one.
If you do get too much sun on your head at any point, you can apply Aloe Vera to soothe, re-hydrate and speed the healing process.
Products for a Shiny Bald Head
Besides taking great care of your skin, using gentle cleansers and creams, and protecting your head from sun-damage and dehydration, are there any other steps you can take to get a shiny bald head? A few products are available that you may wish to consider.
You may use products intended to increase hair shine, such as waxes and pomades, to achieve an ultra-sleek bald look. It’s best to choose a wax that is water-based if you intend to use it to increase the shininess of your head. Be sure to use these products sparingly, as they are intended for hair and may tend to aggravate your skin. You’ll also want to wash your scalp thoroughly after each use as build-up can lead to dullness and irritation.
One of the most well-known products to make your head shine is the HeadLube Glossy Aftershave Moisturizer Lotion. It won't clog your pores, it's free of perfumes, and it also contains shea butter and tea tree oil which are both great for the health of your skin.
Is there such a thing as a bald head wax? A few waxes especially created for bald heads have made it to the market, so be sure to check them out if you think wax is the way to go for you.
Another popular choice for increasing bald head polish is baby oil. This is a gentle product you can rub into your scalp for a slick shine. Once you have massaged a small amount of the oil into your scalp, lightly pat it dry for a natural, buffed look.
Some people have also found that hairspray can enhance the gloss of a bald head. Simply spritz your head lightly with the spray and then pat it dry. You will want to be careful if you use this method, not to over-apply the product as it may dry out your scalp.
Eradicating Acne and Scalp Bumps
Just like any other area of skin, your head can be affected by acne breakouts, which can ruin the effect of a boldly smooth and shiny scalp. If the condition is severe, you may need a visit to the dermatologist for medication to clear it up. However, there are a few precautions you can take to limit your run-ins with head acne.
Some of these things we’ve already covered in the sections above, but they are important for avoiding acne breakouts.
- Wash your head regularly with a gentle, all-natural cleanser. If you are currently struggling with breakouts, look for a product that contains salicylic acid, as this will combat acne-causing residue and dead skin build-up. Other ingredients to look for in a pimple-fighting shampoo include tea tree oil, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Some of these ingredients may dry out your scalp, though, so try not to overuse them and be sure to…
- Moisturize! Though it may seem that drier skin will be less prone to an acne outbreak, this is not the case. Skin that is dried out will actually produce more oil, leading to more clogged pores. Keep your skin healthy, soft and shiny with regular hydration.
- Try changing sunscreens. If you are currently using a more oily or creamy product, try opting instead for a hydrating, gel-based formula. Some skin is more sensitive to the regular ingredients of sunscreen, so you may also consider looking for something hypo-allergenic or specially formulated for sensitive skin.
- Keep it all-natural. If you are regularly wearing hats or handkerchiefs to protect your head from sun-damage, first of all, good for you! You should be aware if you’re dealing with acne, however, that tight fits and synthetic fabrics can cause further irritation. Look for a smooth cotton or wool material to avoid exacerbating those outbreaks.
Regular or careless shaving can traumatize the skin and lead to unsightly and uncomfortable side effects such as rashes and razor bumps. These can largely be avoided by following the tips above, such as using a sharp razor along with pre-shaving gels and creams and exfoliating your scalp. You can also treat rashes and bumps by:
- not shaving already irritated areas to give them a chance to recover.
- switching from a multi-blade razor to a single-blade model.
- applying healing creams and ointments.
This all may sound like a lot of work just to achieve a sleek, smooth, attention-drawing bald head. Once you get it all worked out into a regular routine, though, these habits can become as natural and thought-free as eating breakfast and brushing your teeth.
Take care of your scalp by using the proper tools and finding the products that work best with your skin and lifestyle. Keep it moisturized and protected from the sun, and you’ll be rewarded with a vibrant, youthful-looking bald head that glows with health and makes you look boldly sexy and sure of yourself.
