Over the bad hair days? Tired of wrangling your hair into a shape that hides the bald spots? Or do you just want to get ahead of the hair loss by cutting it all off yourself?
Very few people take the decision to shave it all off lightly. It’s a big change so it’s natural to find yourself going back and forth on whether you should shave your head.
If you’ve wondered whether to go bold and go bald, we’ve got your biggest questions and concerns covered. Read on to find out.
Not ready to shave it all off yet? Consider managing your thinning hair with a hair loss treatment instead.
Should I Shave My Head?
You’d be surprised how many people ask their barbers, hairdressers, and even their doctors whether they should shave their head.
Many people who come to us have also toyed with this question…
So should you shave your head?
We can’t answer this one for you.
Whether you want to shave to get ahead of the balding crown or to shake up your style, it’s an immensely personal decision.
A better question is:
How do you feel about shaving your head?
Forget about what the other people in your life think. Forget about societal expectations. Just think about how you would feel rocking the chrome dome.
Of course, it can help to weigh the pros and cons so let’s look at the benefits of shaving your head — closely followed by the downsides.
The Benefits of Shaving Your Head
You must be aware of some benefits to shaving your head — otherwise, you wouldn’t be contemplating the number one setting on your clippers.
But you might be surprised about some of these pros.
Being in control can give you a boost of confidence
The thing about hair loss in men and women is that it can leave you feeling powerless. Shaving your head can be an intentional decision to take back control.
We’ve heard many people say they feel more confident once they’ve taken the leap and ditched the locks.
But there’s another emotional benefit —
Shaving can reduce the stress of hair loss
Hello, sweet relief.
Thinning hair is no longer a problem. You’ve addressed the prospect of going bald head-on by… well… going bald.
It’s the most low-maintenance (and low-cost) hairstyle ever
Forget about shampooing, brushing, and styling. Bad hair days are a thing of the past.
‘I woke up like this’ is now your everyday.
Meanwhile, you can swap out the hairdresser for a simple head razor and bid adieu to your costly hair care products.
Seize the chance to experiment with a new look
Wondering if you’d look good bald? You’ll never know if you don’t give it a go.
After all, if you’re shaving a head of luscious hair and you’re not happy with the result, you can always grow it back.
And if you’re shaving to deal with hair loss, there’s a strong chance you may love the final result.If not, you can return to the way it was before and look for an alternative treatment for hair loss instead.
Discover if The Hairy Pill® is right for you.
Take our short hair health quiz and we will work out if The Hairy Pill® can help you and your hair.
Take the quizWhat Are the Side Effects of Shaving Your Head?
We all have an image of a smooth, shiny pate à la Vin Diesel or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But there may be a few side effects to the close shave.
Dry, irritated skin
Regular shaving can give you a dry, itchy scalp. Keep moisturiser on hand.
Razor burn
Nicks and cuts from shaving can inflame your skin, producing nasty razor burn on your scalp. A sharp, electric head razor may help with a smoother shave.
Ingrown hairs
When your hair grows back, it can sometimes grow into the skin and cause inflammation. Once again, a sharp, electric razor may help with the smooth cut.
Other (non)hairy things to consider
It’s not just about the physical side effects. You may want to be aware of a few things if you’re still trying to decide whether to shave.
There will probably be a period of adjustment
The first time with a bald head can be a shock — yes, your head really is that shape. You may need some time to get used to it and that’s completely normal.
You may even decide it’s not for you and start looking for an alternative way to deal with your balding and hair loss. That’s OK too.
You will need to protect your exposed skin
With your scalp exposed to the elements, you’ll have to be extra careful about protecting it from the sun and cold. SPF 50 sunscreen will become your best friend, as will caps and beanies.
There may be more maintenance than you expected
While you won’t have to worry about everyday styling, you’ll likely need to shave more regularly than expected to maintain that smooth finish.
If your hair grows back quickly or you like a stubble-free finish, you may need to establish a daily shaving routine.
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Shaving Your Head for Hair Growth: Myth or Magic?
People always ask us: Will my hair grow healthier if I shave it? Or even better: If you shave your head, does your hair grow back thicker?
If only it were that simple.
Many people shave their heads assuming that it will improve hair growth.
But it’s a myth. Let’s look at the bald facts.
Studies have shown that shaving does absolutely nothing to your hair. This isn’t new knowledge either —
As far back as 1928, studies showed that shaving didn’t improve hair growth.
In 1970, researchers studied the effect of repeated shaving on hair growth and found that shaving made “no significant difference” in hair density or thickness or the rate of hair growth.
Here’s why:
When you shave, you’re cutting off the strands. But the strands are dead hair.
You’re not making any difference to the living part that counts — the hair follicle that lives below the surface. It will just keep growing new hair exactly the same as the hair you just shaved off.
Your genes determine your hair density so no amount of shaving will change that.
However, fresh growth can appear thicker and coarser.
That’s because your old strands end up tapering at the tips. They also lighten with sun exposure. Meanwhile, new growth starts darker and with a blunt tip that sticks up, making your hair seem thicker and denser until it grows out.
How Long Does a Shaved Head Take to Grow Back?
You’ll be surprised how quickly stubble will appear on a clean-shaven head. Within days, you’ll have a five o’clock shadow up there. But it will take longer to grow your hair back to its pre-shave length.
Hair grows about half an inch per month so expect it to take 2–3 months to get to buzz-cut length and at least 6 months if you want to grow it out more fully.
Other solutions to thinning hair
Shaving it all off can seem like a dramatic way to deal with a receding hairline.
Fortunately, if you’re not ready for that yet, there are other options to treat hair loss — although some are more effective than others.
Alongside hair growth supplements, over-the-counter topical treatments, and more radical procedures, such as hair transplants, there’s prescription hair loss medication.
The Hairy Pill® can connect you with a doctor to discuss personalised men’s hair loss treatment and women’s hair loss treatment.
We’ve helped treat more than 25,000 patients, with proven results. Will you be next?
