Is Shaving My Head a Good Idea? Let's Weigh the Pros & Cons

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Plus, how to maintain & style this look for both sexes
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Be honest: haven't you ever thought at least once about shaving your head? It's definitely not a decision to take lightly, especially if you've always had long hair or if you're a woman. Don't worry, we're here to help you make the choice that's best for you! Come along with us to learn about the pros and cons of shaving your head , how to shave your head (if you're ready to take the plunge), and how to maintain and style your bold look (with expert tips from professional hairstylists and a licensed cosmetologist).

Top Benefits of Shaving Your Head

  • Convenient and easy to maintain
  • Boosts self-confidence in both men and women
  • Could improve scalp health and reduce irritation
  • Costs less than regular salon visits
  • You can donate your discarded hair to charity
Section 1 of 6:

Pros of Shaving Your Head

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  1. 1
    It's convenient and low maintenance. Both men and women who shave their heads love how quick and easy it is to do and how little they have to do to maintain it. Some choose to shave their head every day to keep the stubble down, but others go a couple of days or even a couple of weeks without putting a razor to their scalp.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Martin Nepton is a Professional Hair Stylist and Colorist with 11 years of experience. He specializes in helping his clients express their queer identity through hair.

    Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber with over 20 years of male grooming experience and over 8 years of professional barber experience. His focus is improving men's overall wellness, and he's a particular expert in giving clients comb-overs, barber fades, and tapers.

    Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist whose work has been featured on the Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and more.

  2. 2
    It may boost your self-confidence. When some people shave the hair from their heads, they're stripping away a major source of insecurity. For example, men who are balding often feel more confident after shaving their head because they no longer have to worry about their awkward balding pattern. Some women feel freer after shaving because they're exhausted from all the work they put into following Western female beauty standards. [1]
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  3. 3
    It may improve your scalp health. People with scalp issues like dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis might find their conditions easier to treat after shaving their hair (although shaving itself isn't a cure). [2] Shaving can also reduce irritation and itching for cancer patients who are losing their hair to chemotherapy. [3]
    • Some people claim that shaving your hair will help it grow faster or come back thicker, but this theory has been debunked. [4]
  4. 4
    It costs less than regular salon visits. On average, men spend around $15-$40 for a haircut in the United States, while women spend $10-$90. That doesn't include extra services like hair color, bleach, silk press, locs, and hair extensions—plus the 10%-25% tip at the end! It's no wonder that some people prefer shaving their heads at home with their own shavers, razors, and skincare products. [5]
  5. 5
    You can donate your hair to people in need. If your hair is long enough and meets other conditions, you may be able to donate it to an organization like Locks of Love or Hair We Share. These charity groups turn your unwanted hair into wigs for cancer patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Others, like Matters of Trust, collect discarded hair and repurpose it to clean up oil spills. Below is a list of hair donation organizations you should check out:
    • Locks of Love
    • Wigs for Kids
    • Children with Hair Loss
    • Hair We Share
    • Matters of Trust
    • Keep in mind that different organizations require your donated hair to be a certain length. They also often want the hair to be its natural color and not dyed or bleached. Check with the group you want to donate to before cutting your hair to find out if your locks are eligible.
    • Tell your hairstylist or barber that you want to donate your hair after shaving it, so they can help you collect and store it properly.
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Section 2 of 6:

Cons of Shaving Your Head

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  1. 1
    Your head might not look smooth or round. The biggest problem with shaving your head is that you don't know what your scalp looks like underneath until the hair is gone. You could have bumps or benign growths called moles on your skin. You could also have a skull that doesn't look completely round. Once you shave your head, you have to live with what it looks like, or else wear hats or wigs all the time.
    • You might also get razor burn on your scalp. This is a rash of tiny, red, irritated bumps caused by the friction between the razor blade and your skin. Not only is razor burn itchy and annoying, but it's also not pleasant to look at.
  2. 2
    Your scalp won't match the rest of your skin tone. No matter what your current skin tone is, your scalp will probably be at least slightly lighter in color than the rest of your skin. On people with light or white skin, the difference might be stark! The best way to get through it is to get some sun and allow your scalp to tan to match the rest of your skin, but that could take a while.
    • An alternative is to keep your hair buzzed, not shaved, so your scalp doesn't show through as much.
  3. 3
    Your scalp will sunburn more easily. Your scalp can still sunburn even when you have a head full of hair, but it's usually only your part and other bare areas that get scorched. When you shave your head, you eliminate the barrier that existed between you and the sun's powerful UV rays completely. From then on, you'll have to apply sunscreen all over your bare scalp or wear hats when you go outside during the day. Adding this step to your routine may sound like a pain, but it's essential to protect you from skin cancer and premature aging. [6]
  4. 4
    You might get criticized. While most men can shave their heads and no one bats an eye, most people (at least in Western society) don't expect to see this style on women. Some people with old-fashioned values criticize women who shave all their hair off, saying they look too much like men. Others say they look like lesbians, a comparison that's usually intended as an insult. If you're a woman who wants to shave your head, consider whether you're ready for the potential backlash you'll get from strangers, and even friends and family. [7]
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Section 3 of 6:

Factors to Consider Before Shaving Your Head

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  1. 1
    Consider your face shape and facial features. When you shave your head, you no longer have hair to balance out (or distract from) what's on your face. For example, if you have ears that stick out, they'll appear even more prominent without hair. The same goes for a double or pointed chin, flat or angled cheekbones, and other features that many people soften with their hairstyles. Anyone can shave their head if they want, though, so don't be discouraged from doing it if it's important to you!
    • Experiment with shorter haircuts first, like buzz cuts or pixie cuts, so you can get more comfortable with how your face and head look with less hair.
  2. 2
    Consider your hairline and balding patterns. If you're balding already, then shaving your head might seem like a no-brainer. But if you still have a hairline above your forehead, take that into account before making this big decision. If you leave some stubble or let a short layer of hair grow back in on your scalp, it may emphasize a high forehead and receding hairline.
    • If you're a man, you should also consider whether you're able to grow facial hair. A bald head combined with a patchy beard isn't the best look.
  3. 3
    Consider if you're ready for a long-term commitment. The average rate of hair growth is ½ in (1.27 cm) per month for both men and women. However, that rate can slow down depending on other factors, like your health. It could take months or even longer than a year to get your hair back to the length it was before you shaved it. So before you take up your shaver or razor, make sure you're ready for that long-term commitment! [8]
    • Use an app like BaldBooth or an AI filter on TikTok or YouCam to see what you would look like bald without shaving in real life. This may help make the decision easier!
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Shave Your Head

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  1. 1
    Shave your head against the grain with an electric shaver. If your hair is longer than ¼ in (0.63 cm), start with electric clippers equipped with a #2 guard to remove as much of the bulk as possible. Once you have only a short layer of hair left on your head, switch to a #1 guard, remove the guard completely, or swap out the clippers for a multi-head electric head shaver . Then, working against the direction your hair grows (called the grain), shave the sides of your head from bottom to top, the top of your head from front to back, and the back of your head from bottom to top.
    • Apply after-shave when you're done shaving to moisturize your scalp and reduce irritation. Don't put it on any nicks or cuts, though, or you'll feel the burn! [9]
    • If you like how your head looks after shaving it with electric clippers, you can stop right here! To learn how to achieve a closer, longer-lasting shave with a razor, read our article on how to shave your head .
  2. 2
    Alternatively, ask a professional hair stylist or barber to shave your head. If you're a man, simply visit your regular barber. But if you're a woman, professional hair stylist Martin Nepton recommends looking for a queer person or a gender fluid salon to do the job for you. This is because "there's not a lot of regular hairstylists comfortable with women [shaving their heads]." Even if you don't identify as queer or lesbian, finding a more open-minded person to shave your hair may help you get the look you want without pushback. [10]
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Section 5 of 6:

Maintaining Your Shaved Head

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  1. 1
    Shave as often as needed to keep up your desired hair length. If you're shaving with an electric head shaver, you may need to shave as often as every 2 days to keep the length where you want it. If you're shaving with a regular, non-electric razor, you can sometimes go as long as a week. [11]
    EXPERT TIP

    Juan Sabino

    Professional Barber
    Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness.
    Juan Sabino
    Professional Barber

    Prevent razor burn by avoiding over shaving. Shaving too often can cause your skin to become rough and dry, and more prone to razor burn. You may also want to shave more infrequently during the winter, when the air is dry and your skin produces fewer natural oils.

  2. 2
    Wear sunscreen or wear a hat when you go outside. Don't forget that with your head shaved, more of your skin is exposed to the sun and at risk of sunburn! Apply sunblock with a minimum SPF of 30 to protect yourself from 97% of UV rays. [12]
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Section 6 of 6:

Styling Your Shaved Head Look

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  1. 1
    Emphasize your shaved head with eye-catching earrings. Licensed cosmetologist Courtney Foster says that many people with bald heads like to use their lack of hair to "emphasize their earring choices." Try wearing big earrings or earrings in bright colors or interesting shapes "that stand out." [13]
  2. 2
    Grow a fabulous beard. A bald head with a well-groomed beard is always a great look. Some people even find it incredibly sexy! If you have facial hair already or decide to grow some, Foster says to "make sure that the beard is lined up…and shaped and [that] it's combed and… trimmed." Remember that your beard is going to be the first thing people see when they look at you now, so it needs to make a great impression. [14]
  3. 3
    Wear eyeshadow and shape your eyebrows. "Your eyes, as they say, [are] the window to your soul," says Foster. And when your head is shaved, your eyes are more prominent than ever. Draw even more attention to them by applying eyeshadow to your lids. For example, says Foster, "if you are looking for a sultry look, a smokey eye will give you just that." To get a dewy, doe-eyed look, she recommends using less eyeshadow. Eyebrows also "play a huge part in how your face appears and how it's shaped," so shape your eyebrows as needed. [15]
  4. 4
    Play with headbands, hats, sunglasses, and other accessories. With your hair gone, now is your chance to really go wild with your fashion accessories! Try wearing headbands of different colors and thicknesses (especially stretch headbands , which will be more comfortable). Don bandanas or hats in a variety of styles to find the one you like best. Collect sunglasses in fun shapes and colors. The world is your oyster!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/benefits-shaved-head
      2. ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/blog/seborrheic-dermatitis-under-beard/
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/in-depth/hair-loss/art-20046920
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/hair-removal/faq-20058427
      5. ↑ https://www.styleseat.com/blog/average-hair-salon-prices/
      6. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection
      7. ↑ https://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/g29887/should-i-shave-my-head/
      8. ↑ https://blog.stbaldricks.org/understanding-hair-growth-how-long-does-it-take-for-hair-to-grow-and-how-can-i-speed-it-up/
      9. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-shave-your-head
      1. ↑ Martin Nepton. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-shave-your-head
      3. ↑ https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/should-you-use-very-high-spf-sunscreen.h00-159460845.html
      4. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Courtney Foster. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview

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