by Ina Winslow

Created on: December 11, 2010   Last Updated: December 15, 2010

When men think of skin care, it's most often how to treat hands that have been roughened by tough, manual work on the job or doing chores.  But a bald man's biggest skin care challenge is right there in front of him every time he looks in the mirror: the top of his head.  Dry skin on the scalp can be itchy and painful, but with a bit of planning and just a few extra minutes a day, a man who's proud of his pate can keep his skin healthy and looking good.

Many of the same good practices that apply to skin in general are musts for avoiding dry skin on a bald head.   But men often overlook the need to care for their scalps until a problem arises.   To start taking better care of the skin of your scalp, do two things right away: 1) make caring for your scalp a part of your daily grooming routine and 2) resolve to change habits that may be contributing to dry, problem skin.

Begin with your morning shower.  Unless you’re already using a moisturizing bath bar or shower gel, avoid the temptation to wash your scalp with the same soap you use for your body.  Instead, choose a mild shampoo.  Baby shampoos are ideal because they contain fewer substances that could contribute to dryness.  As you towel off after bathing, be sure to dry your head thoroughly to avoid chapping and chafing.  If you’re shaving your head, consider using a shaving product made for a woman’s legs, which may be more gentle on the skin than ordinary shaving cream or soap. And use a premium quality razor, being sure to change the blade often, to ensure a smooth shave.  Skip the aftershave—on your head, anyway, and use it only on your face—most contain alcohol, and that will only exacerbate dryness on your dome. Finally, apply a good moisturizer to your scalp.

If your head is not completely bald and your remaining hair still requires an occasional trip to the barber, ask your barber to recommend a shampoo and moisturizer.  Hair-care professionals keep up-to-date with the newest and best products and can help you find the ones that are best suited to your skin type.

It’s just as easy to change other habits that contribute to a dry scalp.  You wouldn’t go out in cold, raw weather without wearing gloves.  If the weather is frosty or even if it’s only windy, don’t go out without a hat.  Besides preventing the loss of body heat—just as your mother told you when you were a kid—a hat will protect your scalp from the drying effects of cold, dry air and wind. 

In the warmer weather, a hat will protect your head from sunburn and potential skin cancer by shielding your head from the sun’s harmful rays.  If you prefer to go hatless in the summer sunshine, be sure to use a good sunscreen with a higher SPF, reapplying it often, especially if you’re active in water sports.  And when you come indoors after an extended time out in the elements, apply moisturizer again.

If you’re a proud bald man, keep your scalp feeling and looking its best by following those few simple practices, and your handsome head is sure to remain one of your most striking—and unforgettable—features.

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