You may have heard that bald men often face issues relating to self-esteem and confidence. And if you look for information on caring for a bald head, you’re more likely to find advice on “curing” it.

But I’ve been exchanging tips and ideas with my barber for more years than I care to admit. As a result, we both have the smoothest, shiniest domes you’re ever likely to encounter, which we wear like a badge of honor.

Growing up, I aspired to be like my two foremost male role models: my bald and mustachioed father and elder brother.

By the age of 27, either through genetics or sheer willpower or both, I was able to match the bristly chevron I’d donned since the age of 15 with a perfect horseshoe hairline. This is the highest level of male pattern baldness (MPB), which is known on the hair loss scale as the Norwood VII.

Having a nicely rounded head, I’d been shaving it for several years while yearning for the dark horseshoe shadow to emerge. When it finally did, I grew it out and had it cut in the same way as my role models. And that’s how I met my barber.

In this post, I’ll impart the tips we’ve shared over the years so that your dome can be as smooth and shiny as ours.

Achieving a Smooth and Shiny Dome

Use a Mild Cleanser

Don’t mess about with over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners if you have dandruff-like symptoms. It could turn out to be seborrheic dermatitis. Go to a dermatologist who can prescribe an effective treatment.

Having no out-of-the-ordinary skin problems, I cleanse daily with the same mild, pH-neutral, soap-free wash lotion I use for my face and mustache.

If you’d prefer soap, go for one that is superfatted; this will have a less drying effect.

And avoid all highly fragranced products since these may lead to irritations.

Remove Remaining Hairs

Although I had full-blown male pattern baldness by 27, some hair was still present within my horseshoe hairline. But it had diminished to a sort of translucent peach fuzz, or vellus hair as it’s more correctly termed. This is usually only visible when illuminated from behind or in well-lit photos.

Over the years, this, too, has mostly vanished, with just a little remaining at the front.

I keep it at bay by running a wet razor over it every morning after shaving my face. It takes only a couple of strokes and works wonders to increase shine and smoothness.

Some men remove remaining hair with wax or an epilator, but that’s overkill in my opinion. Way too much fuss. Apart from that, this sort of hair is so fragile, it’s more likely to break off than be pulled out at the root.

I use a pair of tweezers only if a black hair pops up, which is rare.

Source: Pixabay

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is essential to caring for a bald head but is often overlooked.

Removing even a few remaining strands can make us prone to razor bumps or ingrown hairs. These can be painful and destroy the aesthetic of an otherwise perfectly smooth scalp.

It’s therefore advisable to exfoliate once a week. This removes dead cells in order that hairs daring to grow back can do so through the correct path instead of getting stuck beneath the skin.

Exfoliation also gives the head a healthier, more polished appearance. Aside from sloughing off dead cells, it promotes new cell growth and improves circulation.

Chemical or Mechanical Exfoliation?

I’ve tried various chemical and enzyme peels, but these leave my scalp slightly inflamed.

And although there are scrubs marketed specifically for the bald head, I haven’t yet found one more beneficial than anything intended for the face.

Nor anything I can put together myself.

I sometimes mix my usual soap-free wash lotion with baking soda. I find it less harsh than sugar, which some men seem to prefer. Otherwise, I use a Nivea product with jojoba beads—this is the better choice if your scalp is sensitive.

Another method of mechanical exfoliation is to simply massage the head with a washcloth.

When to Exfoliate

Because I apply a razor to my head each morning, which is also a form of exfoliation, I use a scrub in the evening. This gives my scalp time to recuperate.

Unfortunately, the morning head shave has become a reflex. I could otherwise leave it out once a week and exfoliate instead.

How to Exfoliate

Apply a little of your chosen scrub to the palms of your hands, distribute it over your baldness, and massage with gentle, circular motions using your fingertips.

It should take about 30 seconds.

Moisturize

The scalp has more sebaceous glands than any other body part. This is why young bald men often notice an almost constant slick feel. For this reason, the idea of moisturizing never once occurred to me when I was younger.

But sebum production lessens with age, leaving the scalp more vulnerable to environmental factors like weather and central heating, which may cause dryness, flaking, and itching.

This is when moisturizing becomes essential to the care of a bald head.

There’s no reason not to try products formulated specifically for the scalp, but I use the same moisturizers as for my face.

Living in a northwestern European climate, I find day creams with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 adequate. At night, I apply a fattier product without an SPF.

If you prefer to play down shine, most moisturizers formulated for men have a mattifying effect. The trouble is, these are usually heavily fragranced, which can cause irritations. This is why I favor more clinical, unisex products.

Another option is something like HeadBlade’s Headlube Matte, which is marketed as a post-shave moisturizer. There is also a “glossy” version of this product.

Apply Oil

As already mentioned, sebum production diminishes with age. And with it goes our natural high-gloss sheen.

This is why I like jojoba oil. Imitating natural sebum, it locks in hydration and bestows maximal shine.

Simply massage a couple of drops into your scalp about 10 minutes after applying moisturizer.

I consider jojoba indispensable in the care of a bald head, especially for mature men, but if you prefer a matte finish, go for argan. This is a so-called dry oil, meaning it won’t leave a greasy residue.

Other options are beard oil or something like Sweet Comb Chicago’s Bald Head Polish with beeswax.

Protect From the Sun

Many years ago I went out in the hot sun with an SPF on my face but not my scalp. As a result, I ended up with what looked like a little red cap on my head.

I can’t remember whether it was painful, but it was embarrassing.

Where sun protection is concerned, treat your dome as an extension of your face. Not only can it prevent sunburn and skin cancer, but age spots, too.

Source: The Neat and Tidy Man

Wear a Hat or Cap

I’m not a hat man. I don’t like the way I look in headgear, and removing it shocks strangers; they don’t expect me to be bald.

It’s therefore the one tip shared by my barber that I do not follow.

But he’s right; wearing a hat or cap does protect the head from excessive sun and harsh weather. It will also keep your face dry in the rain and prevent sweat from running into your eyes.

Add a Healthy Glow

In case wearing a hat causes your dome to remain white while your face has a healthy tan, try using a serum of pine bark extract, which you’ll find under the name of Pycnogenol®.

Worn beneath moisturizer, its dark red-brown pigment temporarily darkens the skin as well as offering potent antioxidant properties.

But you’ll need to wash it off at night since it will otherwise stain your pillow.

Recap: The Most Important Care Tips for a Bald Head

1. Cleanse your dome with a mild, pH-neutral, soap-free wash lotion.
2. Remove remaining hairs for added smoothness and shine.
3. Exfoliate once a week to prevent ingrown hairs, promote new cell growth, and stimulate circulation.
4. Moisturize day and night, especially if you’re a mature man.
5. Wear oil to lock in hydration and create extra shine.
6. Apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and age spots.
7. Wear a hat or cap to protect your head from excessive sun and harsh weather.
8. Add a healthy glow to your dome with Pycnogenol® serum.

© 2025, J. Richardson. All rights reserved.

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