How to Take Care of a Shaved Head for Women

Co-authored by Karen Leight and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: January 22, 2023 References

Shaved heads are all the rage right now! Whether you’re expressing your sense of style or dealing with hair loss, you can look absolutely fabulous with a bald head. However, you’ll need to make some changes to your beauty routine to keep your scalp healthy. Fortunately, caring for a shaved scalp isn’t that different from taking care of hair—except that you’ll probably spend less time on it. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about caring for your shaved head.

1

Wash your scalp daily with a moisturizing shampoo.

Dirt and oil can build up on your shaved scalp, so don’t skip the shampoo. Choose a shampoo that’s labeled as “moisturizing.” Apply a dime-size dollop of shampoo to your palm, then massage it onto your scalp. Rinse away the suds with warm water.^{[1]
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- If you shaved your head during cancer treatment, use a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo like baby shampoo to wash your scalp.^{[2]
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2

Treat your scalp with a dandruff shampoo if you have flakes.

Dandruff can cause dull, flaky patches on your bald scalp. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix! Wash your hair with dandruff shampoo twice a week if you're of Caucasian or Asian descent or once a week if you're of African descent. Use regular shampoo the other days you wash.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Make sure you read the directions on your dandruff shampoo so you use it correctly. Some shampoos must be left on your scalp for several minutes, while others should be rinsed off immediately.

3

Condition your scalp with a moisturizing conditioner.

Your scalp and new hair growth both benefit from moisture. Apply a quarter-size dollop of conditioner to your hand and massage it onto your scalp. Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then rinse it off with warm water.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Choose a conditioner that’s labeled as “moisturizing.”
- If you’re going through cancer treatment, choose a conditioner that’s fragrance-free.

4

Massage moisturizer onto your scalp daily to prevent dry skin.

A shaved head is more prone to dryness and irritation. Fortunately, you can easily maintain soft, smooth skin. Use a regular moisturizer if you want a shiny scalp, or pick a lotion that's labeled as "mattifying" if you want to avoid shine.^{[5]
X
Research source} Apply your moisturizer daily after your shower or when you're getting ready for bed.^{[6]
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- Use a water-based moisturizer if your skin is neither dry nor oily. Pick an oil-based moisturizer for dry skin, or a light-weight water-based lotion for oily skin.^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- If you're going through cancer treatments, choose a moisturizer that doesn't contain fragrances.
- If your head is really dry and irritated, apply moisturizer more than once a day. For instance, you might moisturize your head after your morning shower and right before bed.

5

Apply oil to your scalp daily for added moisture.

You might prefer to use oils instead of moisturizers. Oils can also help you maintain a soft, healthy scalp. Use oil daily to lock in moisture after a shower.^{[8]
X
Research source} Squeeze a dot of oil onto your palm, then massage it into your scalp using your fingertips.
- Moroccan oil is a great option!^{[9]
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- Alternatively, try castor oil if you want to stimulate hair growth.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- You can use oil in addition to moisturizer if your skin gets very dry. It's really up to you!

6

Swipe on antiperspirant if your scalp is sweating a lot.

Your scalp sweats, and you don't have hair to soak it up. Luckily, there’s an easy way to stay dry. Every night before bed, swipe an antiperspirant over the top of your head once or twice. The product will soak into your scalp overnight so you'll stay fresh all day.^{[11]
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- You can use the same kind of antiperspirant as you would for your underarms.

7

Massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow.

A scalp massage helps keep your scalp healthy. Do the massage in the shower or while applying moisturizer or oil. Start by placing your fingers just above your forehead. Apply light pressure, then start making circular movements with your fingers. Work your way from your forehead to the nape of your neck.^{[12]
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- Massaging your scalp may also help stimulate hair growth.

8

Apply sunscreen to your head to protect against sunburn.

Your exposed scalp is vulnerable to sunburn, so always wear sunscreen. Both creamy and spray sunscreens work great on your scalp. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least an SPF 30. Wear your sunscreen every day, no matter the season. If you're spending the day outdoors, reapply sunblock every 2 hours to keep your scalp protected.^{[13]
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- Carry sunscreen in your bag so you always have it on hand.
- If you wear a hat or scarf, you can skip the sunscreen.

9

Wear a hat or scarf to protect your head from the sun.

Your exposed scalp is more vulnerable to the sun.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Go with a wide-brim hat for more protection, or throw on a baseball cap for an easy option. Alternatively, pick a stylish hat or scarf that goes with your outfit. The options are endless!^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Darker hats might protect you from the sun better.
- Make sure the hat you choose doesn’t have an open weave, since the sun can filter through the gaps. For instance, straw hats often have gaps in the weave.^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}

10

Put on a hood, hat, or beanie during winter to stay warm.

Cold weather can chill your shaved head. Stay comfortable by covering your head before you go out.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Choose a hooded jacket or coat for an easy option. Go with a fun hat for a stylish solution, or wear a classic beanie for a cozy winter look.
- It’s a myth that you lose more heat through your head than other exposed areas. However, it’s still important to wear a hat.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  University of Rochester Medical Center
  Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research
  Go to source}
- If you live in a really cold area, you might wear both a beanie and a hood. You can always take your hat off indoors if you want to show off your shaved head.

11

Wet your skin and apply shaving cream before touch-ups.

Protect your skin from nicks and irritation with shaving cream. Shave after a shower or splash water over your scalp to wet it. Then, add a dollop of shaving cream to your palm and smooth it over your scalp. This makes it easier for the razor to glide over your skin.^{[19]
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- Wetting your skin and hair softens it so it’s easier to shave.

12

Shave in the direction your hair grows.

This will prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Look at the way your hair grows before you drag your razor blade across your scalp. Always drag your razor across your scalp in this direction. Otherwise, you might end up with red bumps on your scalp.^{[20]
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- Keep in mind that all of your hair may not grow in the same direction.

13

Change blades or razors after 5 to 7 shaves.

A dull razor can irritate your skin. Don’t use the same razor for too long. Instead, keep a supply of extra blades or disposable razors on hand so you can grab a new blade as needed. Typically, blades last for up to 7 shaves.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What should you think about before getting your head shaved?

Martin Nepton
Professional Hair Stylist
Martin Nepton is a Professional Hair Stylist and Colorist at Bang Bang LA in Los Angeles, California. With over 11 years of experience, Martin specializes in helping clients express their Queer identity through hair. Martin offers personalized haircuts and color and style services with non-gender prices based on hair length. Martin holds a BA from the University of Québec at Montréal and is a Licensed Hair Stylist in California.

Martin Nepton

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Find the correct hairstylists, there are lots of regular hairstylists who aren't comfortable shaving hair off women. I suggest is going to see a queer hairstylist who is going to be more used to shaving the entire head. Choose a more gender-fluid salon, this is to make sure the hairstylist doesn’t charge by gender. Since women typically get charged more than a man for the same haircut.

Warnings

Your scalp is going to be very vulnerable to the elements. Always wear your sunscreen. Additionally, it's best to wear a hat if you're going to be outside for a long time.

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Be careful when getting food out of the oven after you shave your head. The heat can singe your exposed scalp. Consider wearing a head covering to be safe.^{[23]
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