Believe it or not, caring for a bald head goes far beyond simply slapping on a hat.
Dear Ash,
After years of trying to disguise my thinning hair, I’ve recently decided to shave it all off.
I’ve never been bald in summer before and am nervous about getting a sunburnt
What’s the best way to look after my head now? Do I still need to use shampoo?
Thank you,
Smooth Operator
Dear Smooth Operator,
You’re one of many people I’ve heard of recently who have decided bald is best — well done you. A bald head looks fresh and is mostly low maintenance, but in saying that a certain level of care is still required.
The skin on your scalp doesn’t differ all that much from that on the rest of your face, and should be treated as such. In the same way you used to wash and condition your hair, you’ll still have some extra steps to follow to ensure your scalp is kept in tip-top condition, especially if you’re continuing to shave it.
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Advertise with NZME.To help answer your burning question, I reached out to two experts for their best tips in bald care, from the best way to keep your scalp clean to what you should do if you accidentally get your scalp sunburnt.
Cleanse your scalp regularly
According to Kelly Manu, an award-winning hairstylist and owner of Una salon in Auckland, you should think of your scalp like your skin’s rooftop. In terms of cleansing your scalp, Kelly says either a facial cleanser or shampoo can work. “Shampoo is great for build-up, while a facial cleanser pampers sensitive skin. Think of it as giving your head a spa day every now and then,” she says. Light exfoliation can help keep breakouts at bay, caused by a build-up of sweat and oil in pores and hair follicles. Kelly says once or twice a week should be plenty depending on scalp sensitivity.
Rebecca Spencer, founder of Biome Skin and Beauty agrees, saying exfoliation can help prevent a build-up of dead, dry skin cells, which can lead to blockages when mixed with oil. “Do be careful to use something gentle though as exfoliation that’s too aggressive can increase inflammation,” she says. One condition Rebecca says to look out for is folliculitis, which is commonly seen on scalps, especially ones that are shaved.
“It is often mistaken for acne as it presents in a similar way. This condition is an inflammation of the hair follicle and will have either a bacterial or fungal cause. This should be treated in a different way to regular breakouts,” she says. “You’ll want to keep the area nice and clean and avoid shaving or using anything that may aggravate the skin. A visit to the pharmacy may be required for a targeted topical treatment and if things don’t improve with these measures, then your GP will be able to help further.”
Tips for shaving, and what to apply afterwards
If your head still requires shaving, Kelly recommends starting with a gentle exfoliation to manage oil and avoid heavy products that could clog hair follicles. “The aim is smooth, not suffocated,” Kelly says. Apply a liberal layer of high-quality shaving product to the scalp, shave with the grain and always use a fresh razor. Post-shave, rinse the scalp with cool water and keep it hydrated with a lightweight moisturiser to keep skin smooth and flake-free.
“Bonus tip: avoid alcohol-based aftershaves for that unwanted sting,” Kelly says.
Rebecca adds that by applying the right product immediately after shaving, you’re more likely to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and help soothe irritation, especially if the product you’re using is designed with sensitive skin types in mind.
“This area of skin tends to have a higher concentration of sebaceous glands and is likely to be oilier. For this reason, it’s best to opt for something lightweight to prevent greasiness or congestion. A light hydrating serum or scalp-specific product may be your smartest option here,” she says.
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Advertise with NZME.“Ingredients to look for would be hyaluronic acid and glycerin which are fantastic at providing effective yet non-clogging hydration. If you do choose to use an oil to moisturise your scalp, go for lighter options such as jojoba or grapeseed rather than something heavier such as coconut oil.”
Otherwise, Rebecca prefers soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and niacinamide to counter any post-shave inflammation, and to side-step anything with actives like retinol or fragrance.
How often to moisturise your scalp is another thing, with Rebecca advising to start with bi-weekly moisturising and adjust from there depending on how the scalp and any remaining hair responds.
Sunscreen should be your No 1 priority
But if there’s only one thing you take away from this Q&A let it be this: sunscreen is your No 1 product to care for a bald head.
“Your scalp is like a solar panel and it catches all the rays,” Kelly says. “Protect it daily with SPF 30+, or risk rocking the lobster look.”
Rebecca agrees, adding a sunburnt scalp can not only be painful and lead to peeling, irritation or bleeding, but in some cases may cause permanent skin damage or skin cancer. When shopping for a SPF to wear on your scalp, Rebecca recommends choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that guards against UVA and UVB rays, rated SPF 30 or higher.
“If you find that your scalp is easily irritated by sunscreen, go for a physical SPF rather than a chemical version as these are better tolerated by sensitive skins,” Rebecca says. “Choose a formulation that’s designed for the face rather than the body too as this will be less likely to congest your skin and they tend to contain ingredients that better care for delicate skin, making them a great choice for your scalp.”
Always remember to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially if swimming, towelling or sweating.
And should you accidently get sunburnt? Regular after-sun gel will help reduce the heat, while an anti-dandruff shampoo will be your best friend to rid the scalp of any flaking or peeling.
“Excessive UV exposure can exacerbate things by drying the skin on the scalp out, leading to flaky skin which can trigger dandruff. The inflammation often resulting from sunburn can also disrupt the scalp’s natural balance which appears to make dandruff and dermatitis more likely to occur,” Rebecca says.
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