Most people spend a fortune on their looks, especially on their hair.
From hair coloring to straightening, hair treatments to hair protection, it just takes a lot of money, time, and effort to keep up. These are just some reasons why many resorts to cutting their hair short or shaving their head bald.
If you’re one of those people debating on the idea, consider the following benefits of shaving and some disadvantages before you proceed.
9 Benefits of shaving your head
The pros and cons of shaving your head are many. Whether you just want to save time and money out of daily hair care or you want to deal with baldness or thinning hair, shaving your head could be the best thing for you.
1. It lets you take care of hair loss
Men and women who experience baldness may use hair growth products to grow back their hair. These products will stimulate the scalp, make it healthy, and ready to grow new hair. But there are a lot of factors that contribute to baldness which are often very hard to control.
Males may suffer from genetic baldness and therefore, treatments like hair growth shampoos, supplements, and creams may be unable to fix their baldness. Meanwhile, women who experience baldness and a receding hairline that is also genetically linked may suffer from poor self-confidence and depression.
Shaving your hair lets you deal with hair loss and baldness with no need to resort to expensive hair loss treatments, medications, and emotional problems. A bald head may be a sharp change for people who are used to wearing their hair longer but in the end, it’s like a release of worry to just let it go and not try to change the inevitable.
2. Shaving your head can save you time
How long does it take you to shampoo, rinse, condition, and style your hair? Do you use styling aids? How often do you go to the salon to have your hair cut, styled, or maintained? You’ll be surprised how much time you spend on keeping your hair in tip-top shape!
If you ask yourself “what are the benefits of shaving my head?”, the answer is that you can save time. You can use this time to do other stuff like taking up hobbies and new interests. The time you spent on haircare can be spent on relationships, studying, doing errands, etc. A bald head won’t interfere with your daily activities and will be less of a hassle when you’re always on the go.
3. Shaving your head bald saves you money
Aside from saving time, shaving your head will also give you a lot of financial benefits. Just imagine, you don’t need to buy hair care products like shampoos, conditioners, styling aids, hair supplements, and hair care tools. Not to mention the money you spend on paying a hairdresser, a hairstylist, or a barber.
Also, the bus money, gas money, or taxi money you save can be used to buy other stuff you need. You’ll save money when you shave bald and use this to buy other stuff like new clothes, medications, exercise equipment, and household items.
4. It gives you a new look
It’s a huge change from wearing hair to a bald head. It’s a whole new look but you don’t need to worry as most people look rad with a shaved look. If you’re still undecided, you can cut your hair short first before shaving your head bald. You can gradually cut it short until you finally achieved a shaved appearance. The benefits of a shaved head to your self-esteem are endless.
5. Shaving your hair to prepare for a hair transplant
Do you have to shave your head for a hair transplant? There are different hair transplant procedures available for people suffering from alopecia or baldness. In some treatments, patients are asked to shave a small amount of hair which is a form of harvesting healthy hair. These healthy strands will be transplanted onto the balding areas of the head.
If you’re considering a hair transplant procedure, be sure to consult your doctor about shaving your head. If you’re completely bald or decided to shave your head bald, the procedure may be deferred as it’s not possible to proceed with shaving head.
Another thing to consider is shaving your head after a hair transplant. Unless indicated, you should not shave your hair after the procedure. A shaved head hair transplant is impossible as there won’t be any areas left where healthy hair may be harvested.
6. It helps you deal with pests
Sometimes, pests like lice can cause a full-blown infestation which can be difficult to control using ordinary lice control products. The only way to finally get rid of lice is to shave hair bald. A full-blown infestation can lead to many health issues when not controlled immediately.
Because lice bite the skin to take a drink of blood, you can suffer from anemia if the condition becomes out of control. Lice and their bites can be very itchy and too much scratching can damage the scalp which may lead to skin infections.
By shaving your head bald, you’ll remove all the lice without using any treatments. Shaving the scalp takes only a few minutes to do and you can return to normal, healthy skin in no time. This also benefits treatments as it’s easier to reveal the condition of your skin after a lice infestation. It’s become easier to see any damage, skin breaks, infections, and other problems so treatment can be started right away.
7. Shaving to treat skin conditions
Aside from lice infestation, many skin conditions become worse when left alone. Conditions like dryness, itching, flaking, dandruff, dermatitis, and eczema need special treatment that concentrates on the skin. It’s best to cut hair short or shave it bald to allow you to apply treatments directly on the scalp. You won’t be wasting expensive creams, ointments, and oils as you can apply these on the skin and not on your hair.
A doctor may recommend shaving your head bald to evaluate the effects of treatment on the skin. It’s easier to see if you need further treatment or to discontinue treatment when the skin is fully exposed. For conditions that need a further diagnosis, a specimen is taken and examined under a microscope. To get a good specimen, hair should be removed and the specimen taken from a good area.
8. Shaving and coping
Most people turn to cutting their hair or shaving their hair when faced with stress and problems. People who have done this say that they find some kind of release or positive feeling after they shave their hair. It’s like shaving off all your problems, worries, and stress away.
Shaving can be a form of coping for people who feel depressed, anxious, and stressed. They may be looking for ways to change their looks, to have a new identity. People may think “by shaving my head, I can remove all my troubles away.”
9. Shaving to look more muscular or athletic
Men shave their heads to make them look more athletic, more muscular, and more impressive. You’ll surely find a bald man going to the gym. Women who also want to look more athletic and thinner cut their hair short or shave their heads bald.
7 disadvantages of shaving your head
As you can see, shaving your hair can help you physically, emotionally, and financially. However, there are some disadvantages to consider as well. Take note of the pros and cons of shaving your head before you visit a salon or shave your hair bald at home.
1. Shaving your head bald can be a weird experience
For some people, shaving can be a wonderful idea only to find out that they don’t like it. Some feel weird about having no hair while some are not used to seeing their bald reflections in the mirror. A bald man’s appearance could take time to get used to especially if you don’t want to shave off in the first place.
Usually, women are the most affected. Women may suffer from low self-esteem and self-confidence. Some may resort to wearing wigs or hairpieces for cover instead.
2. Shaving your head can cause irritation
People who are not used to shaving their heads may experience irritation right after shaving. This happens as the skin is pulled and pricked during the shaving process. Some people may suffer from severe itching after shaving their scalp which can lead to skin breaking and infection.
Irritation may be avoided during shaving by applying a deeply penetrating moisturizer recommended for a bald man. This is applied to the area before shaving. The moisturizer conditions and softens the skin so it won’t become irritated and itchy after shaving. Good shaving cream can also help as this product also moisturizes the skin. Right after shaving, you can often avoid irritation by applying mineral oil or a moisturizer.
3. Shave your head bald can lead to dryness
Frequent shaving can lead to dryness. Your skin will become tougher, harder, and less elastic when you shave more frequently. The trick is to control dryness by applying a good-quality moisturizer to your newly-shaved head. You may also use natural oils to keep your scalp soft, moisturized, and free from dryness. Use a new, high-quality razor when you shave.
4. Shaving hair bald can lead to ingrown hair
When you shave your head frequently, new hair growths grow inward causing ingrown hair. When this happens, your skin will have bumps and stubbles which is not pleasant. Although there’s nothing wrong with having ingrown air, it could make your scalp uncomfortable. Also, ingrown hair can affect the next generation of growing hair as these may block future hair growth.
5. Shaving your hair will expose your scalp to the elements
Shaving will make the scalp exposed to the elements. You’re more likely to suffer from sunburns and you’ll be more vulnerable to heat effects. It’s a must for people with shaved heads to wear caps, hats, and other protective headgear. Keep the scalp protected from the sun by applying sunscreen. Avoid going out when the sun is at its peak.
As you’re more vulnerable to heat because of a shaved head, you’re also prone to the cold. During the cold season, avoid heat loss from the head by using thermal clothing like hats, caps, and bandanas. Always keep your scalp moisturized to avoid dryness and irritation due to cold weather.
6. Shaving head hair bald is not for people with sensitive skin
People with sensitive scalp may not do well with a shaved head. Hair naturally protects the scalp from direct sun exposure, temperature changes, pests, and light trauma. Removing hair can be worse for sensitive skin as it’s completely exposed to threats.
If you have sensitive skin, consider other hairstyles instead of shaving your hair bald. You need regular upkeep after you shave your head such as adding moisturizing products, regular shaving or waxing to remove hair, and using sun protection products. All these further irritate sensitive skin.
7. Shaving will require daily upkeep
Bald men are keen on keeping their scalps clean, moisturized, and hair-free. It’s not as easy as you may think! You need to follow a daily regimen that includes shaving or waxing your head to remove any growing patches of hair, applying a good natural moisturizer, and using sunblock or sunscreen.
Just like the products you will use to maintain your skin, you need daily upkeep plus you need to spend money on good quality products as well.
- Trim your head of hair using an electric razor or clippers. Use the right attachment to remove most of your hair. Use a new, clean razor. If you are using an electric razor, make sure to read instructions beforehand.
- Clean your scalp and remove all hair by showering in hot water. Hot water will open up hair follicles and skin pores to remove oils and dirt. Open hair follicles will make it easier to remove any remaining hair. Use a mild soap to clean your scalp and rinse using lukewarm water.
- After your hot shower, dry the area with a clean, soft towel. Pat dry and never rub the scalp.
- Use a fresh razor to remove any remaining hair. Use long strokes to avoid irritating the scalp.
- Shave the entire scalp but pay extra attention to the area behind the ears and along the nape of your neck.
- Apply moisturizer while the skin is still supple.
Shaving your hair bald can be done at home using easy-to-use razors and shaving equipment or you may use the services of a local barbershop or salon. With a professional to help you with shaving your hair bald, you don’t have to worry about making mistakes and you won’t have to buy expensive tools and shaving equipment.
At the end of the day, you should consider the benefits of shaving and the disadvantaged. There are so many pros and cons of going bald.
Shave Head or Hair Transplant?
Having a hair transplant is more expensive and takes longer than shaving one’s head
A few things to consider about a hair transplant:
- A hair transplant will require you to actually have sufficient hairs on the back of your head (the donor area) with decent density so the hairs can be extracted and placed on the other parts of your scalp where you are thinning.
- If too much hair is extracted from the donor area, it may end up looking unnatural or scarred.
- Scarring in the scalp may occur depending on the type of procedure and skills of the surgeon.
- Hair transplants may result in having an unnatural appearance, but the outcome very much depends on the hair quality and density, the skills of the surgeon, the type of procedure performed, and the technology used, how well the patient heals after the procedure, and many other factors.
How a hair transplant work
While some people may choose to wear a full head of hair or shave their heads bald, some people shave to hide hair fall or bald spot conditions. Alopecia is the term for hair loss and may even be a symptom of an underlying cause. This condition is present in children as well as adults and there’s no perfect treatment available. Some people who suffer from alopecia say that stress and illness are underlying causes of hair loss.
Meanwhile, male and female pattern baldness is a genetic condition. Treatments are available but not without risks. One such treatment for hair loss condition is a hair transplant. This procedure involves taking small grafts from a healthy scalp or a larger piece from a donor. A large piece may be cut into smaller pieces and used as skin grafts.
The skin grafts are placed on an affected part of the scalp. Grafts come in different shapes, sizes, and numbers of hairs. A regular round punch graft may have 10 to 15 strands of hair. Smaller grafts may have 2 to 4 strains of hair. Some micro-grafts only contain 1 to 2 strands of hair.
There are minute slit grafts that are placed into scalp slits. Slit grafts have 4 to 10 hairs. Hair transplant procedures are done in several sessions to get the best results. A pause in between sessions ensures that the grafts heal well. Usually, it takes a few years to see the complete result.
The amount of hair coverage depends on your hair color and texture. Gray, light, and coarse hair offer better coverage compared to dark and fine hair. On the first session, large plugs are transplanted which may be up to 50 plugs. Micro-grafts can be up to 700 grafts for every session.
Before the surgery
Before hair transplant surgery, the harvest area will be trimmed until the remaining hair is very short. This allows easy access to the donor area. If punch grafts are used, a special instrument made from carbon steel is applied to the skin. This will remove round grafts from the donor area to the treated area. The frontal hairline is the most commonly treated area.
During the surgery
In other types of hair grafts, doctors use a sharp scalpel to harvest small areas of the scalp with hair. After harvest, your doctor may inject the saline solution in small amounts to the scalp to preserve skin strength. Since scalpels cut the skin from the donor site, the skin may be closed using stitches. In slit grafts, a fine straight line will remain and may be closed with stitches or hidden using hair from the surrounding areas.
The skin grafts are placed an inch apart to ensure healthy hair growth. Later, the spaces in between grafts will be filled with additional skin grafts. Hair transplant doctors will place grafts carefully in correct positions to follow correct hair direction.
After the surgery
Right after the grafts have been transplanted, the scalp will be cleaned with a cleaning solution. The doctor may secure the area with a gauze followed by pressure bandages. Meanwhile, some doctors help their patients recover without wearing any bandages.
Hair transplant vs hair shaving
Some people ask “should I get- a hair transplant or shave my head?” The answer depends on many factors and your overall personal preference.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you suffer from a hair loss condition or is this just a side effect?
If your hair loss is the side effect of a treatment or medication then it won’t take long for your hair to grow right after you complete your treatments. However, if your hair loss is due to a genetic disorder or a condition then you may consider a hair transplant.
However, if you can’t wait to grow a healthy and full head of hair back then you may just settle with other measures like wearing wigs, synthetic hair, and toupees. You may ask a professional to make synthetic hair for you which looks and feels similar to natural human hair.
Are you willing to spend money on hair transplants?
Hair transplant procedures cost a small fortune. The price ranges from $300 to $20,000 or more depending on where you want it done or the expertise of the doctor. Procedures like these cost less for a small patch of hair and will cost more for a larger area.
Are you ready to deal with regular upkeep when you shave your hair?
Both hair loss treatments require regular upkeep. Hair implants require several sessions to complete. Understand synthetic hair transplant pros and cons before you consider it. You may need to take time off rigorous activities for a few days to allow the transplanted area to heal. Your doctor will also tell you to keep the area clean and moisturized by applying special products to your scalp.
Meanwhile, you don’t need to take a break from work or exercise when you shave your hair. You may still need to apply products like a moisturizer on your scalp and commit to regular shaving and waxing but these are not as tedious as maintaining hair implants.
The latest hair transplant techniques of 2021
New technologies have given birth to better and more effective hair transplant techniques. Here are the most popular this year:
DHI Hair Transplant
Also called unshaven hair transplant, the doctor harvests hair follicles from a donor site and implants them to the bald area without disrupting the scalp. A very thin needle or Choi needle is used to implant hair to the site.
Unshaven Hair Transplant
This method of hair transplant may be applied in older techniques. Donor sites are usually at the back of the head, between the ears. With this method, the doctor can transplant up to 2800 grafts. A modified version of this method is the partially shaven hair transplant which is for people with long hair.
Organic Hair Transplant
The roots of the donor’s hair and the roots found in the area should be of the best quality. The goal of organic hair transplant is for newly transplanted hair to be more efficient and easier to work with without the use of chemicals. The result of this type of transplant is a more vibrant and longer-lasting full head of hair.
Head shaving may or may not be the solution for your hair loss. There are many benefits of shaving your head but you should also consider the disadvantages before you proceed.