When To Shave Your Head If Going Bald? Hair Styling & Hair Loss (2024)

When To Shave Your Head If Going Bald? Hair Styling & Hair LossCharles-Philippe2020-05-29T12:13:43-04:00

Baldness and hair loss are both parts of a very delicate and challenging subject for many men all over the world. If you’re losing your hair, should you shave it all off? Are there ways to salvage or preserve it?

In this guide, you will learn about going bald, the different solutions, and what to do:

What Is Male Pattern Baldness?
Do I Need To Shave My Head?
Is Being Bald A Style?

Simply use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to read it all.

What Is Male Pattern Baldness?

Shaving your head clean is a bold and masculine statement. According to a US study published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science journal, completely bald men were perceived as more masculine, dominant and even 13% stronger than their follicle-friendly counterparts.

If you’ve come here because you want to clean shave your hair because simply for the look, we salute you. However, if you’re here because you’re experiencing hair loss, we’ve got that covered.

See The Best Beard Trimmers To Buy

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Some might call hair loss a condition, which causes us men to suffer and needs to be treated. Consider that hair loss commonly known as “male pattern baldness” affects over two-thirds of men in the USA by the age of 35. Do you realise now that this so-called infliction is quite banal?

Cast aside this taboo perpetuated by the snake oil salesmen and their phoney hair loss “remedies”! Embrace your baldness.

Does Minoxidil & Rogaine Work For Hair Loss?

Charles-Philippe has had some success with Minoxidil.

Although most remedies are most certainly useless, minoxidil is a topical medication that has been growing in popularity. Brands like Rogaine will usually use 5% minoxidil in their formula, which is topically applied to your head as either a mouse or liquid.

Minoxidil supposedly works as a potassium channel opener, which widens the blood vessels and allows more oxygen to travel to the hair follicles. As a result, dormant follicles shed and are replaced by thicker anagen hairs. Oddly enough, you can learn more about these terms in our beard-growing guide.

Surprisingly, minoxidil has been proven to work quite effectively. However, its performance does have a few caveats. Firstly, it’s not very effective if you have significant hair loss. In fact, it’s important that start using it very early on when your first start experiencing hair loss.

In other words, it won’t make a bald man miraculously grow a new head of hair! Yet, when properly applied, it can slow, halt, and occasionally even revert some hair loss. Still, it’s important to use it regularly as suggested by the brand. Intermittent use will prevent it from working properly.

Finally, there are some possible side effects that you should know before trying minoxidil. One of the most common side effects is dandruff caused by the product drying the scalp.

Nevertheless, there are others such as allergies, swelling, heartbeat conditions, and even focal necrosis. Admittedly, most of these are rare but it’s important to be aware and even consult a doctor before testing it yourself.

Although Rogaine is the most famous brand, there are lots of other companies who now produce minoxidil in different forms that may suit you. Simply head to Amazon and you’ll see what we mean.

Do I Need To Shave My Head?

If you’re unsure as to whether you need to reach for those clippers yet, use the Norwood-Hamilton infographic below. The Norwood-Hamilton Scale was first developed by Dr James Hamilton in the 1950s.

It was designed order to establish a standardised classification system for hair loss. It was later revised by Dr O’Tar Norwood in the 1970s. Today, it is still recognised as the most complete reference for Male Pattern Baldness.

If you are experiencing balding, this chart can be consulted to asses the extent of hair loss and as a reference if you want to seek treatment via a clinic.

Bear in mind that modern treatments are often unable to truly reverse hair loss but instead halt its progress. Mild hair loss between Classes II and III can even show signs of improvement. However, from Class IV, it will be difficult to be reunited with the hair you had in your early twenties.

If you feel that you’re not ready to make the leap, that’s absolutely fine too. Any level of hair loss below and including Class IV can still be styled and quite successfully. There are a number of hairstyles that can work with and even conceal receding hairlines if those are your intentions.

Receding Hair & Shaved Head Styles

Choosing a hairstyle whilst taking into account signs of hair loss is a disconcerting task. You’ll look at your hair in the mirror and only notice the thinning areas and bald spots. If you’re feeling helpless, the chances are that you’ll feel the overwhelming desire to shave it all off.

Is Being Bald A Style?

When you first shave your head out of obligation, you may suddenly feel void of style. Think also of all that time you’ll save in the shower and how your towel doesn’t get as wet so quickly. And bad hair days or hours in front of the bathroom mirror making sure that it’s just so? Not anymore!

Okay, small victories. After all, hair is indeed a big subject for men’s fashion and you’re missing out, right? Well, not so much. A shaved head is a conscious fashion choice for a lot of men even with a full head of hair. Look at Vin Diesel or even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who’s been bald since 2010.

These are two men with perfectly healthy heads of hair who made the conscious decision to shave. Granted, The Rock did say he chose to shave it because his hair is a cross between “an afro and hair from a Lama’s ball sac [sic].”

Nevertheless, could you imagine tough guys like Bruce Willis or Mike Tyson with a full head of hair today? Don’t give it to social pressure and try to regain lost hair. Plugs and implants may look okay but they’re not fooling anyone.

Be proud of yourself, your genes, and that great uncle that you’re starting to resemble.

Be you.

What Next?

Now that you have learned about bald head styles, check out some related resources:

Beard Styles For Men
Moustache Styles For Men
How To Use A Straight Razor
Men’s Grooming Homepage

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30 Comments

Gary WhyteJanuary 2, 2019 at 4:38 am - Reply
Felt good to read this article. I am totally inspired by your work and got some great ideas. Thanks and keep sharing :)
- Charles-PhilippeJanuary 3, 2019 at 6:24 am - Reply
  Hi Gary,
  Thanks for your comment. And we intend to!
  Best,
  CP
MarkMay 20, 2019 at 3:40 am - Reply
Agree with Gary, Thanks Charles-Philippe!
- Charles-PhilippeMay 20, 2019 at 6:40 am - Reply
  Thanks, Mark!
EvanJune 18, 2019 at 9:48 am - Reply
Working up the courage to shave my head tonight or tomorrow morning. This article helps. I’m at level 3/4 and don’t feel like using Rogaine/Propecia for the rest of my life. Horrible MPD on my mom’s side, both my uncle and grandfather who I resemble.
My head is actually massive (no hats fit me) so I think it might even be good from that perspective of having less mass up there. But I don’t have the best jawline at my current weight.
- Charles-PhilippeJune 19, 2019 at 4:13 am - Reply
  Hi Evan,
  I can completely understand. I’ve got a pretty strong landing strip taking shape (MPD on my mother’s side too) and Paul has a shaved head too.
  Let us know how it goes!
  Best,
  CP
JonJuly 4, 2019 at 8:39 am - Reply
And what do you do when you suffer from Male Pattern Baldness and your skull shape is hideous?
- Charles-PhilippeJuly 5, 2019 at 3:14 am - Reply
  Hi Jon,
  Honestly, 9 out of 10 times that somebody asks us this, it’s a question of self confidence. We’re usually not used to our skull shape so it can be a bit disconcerting and even “hideous” to you when you see it the first time.
  However, if you really believe that it’s unattractive and don’t want to shave it, let it grow naturally but keep it cropped short. Alternatively, implants are always a solution if you’re really unhappy.
  Otherwise, I could recommend you some really nice hats?
  Best,
  CP
  See Also
  Should I Shave My Head? Pros, Cons, and How to Do It - Freebird
GraemeAugust 7, 2019 at 2:08 pm - Reply
The problem that no one talks about, is, like my case, is a ridiculiously shaped head that looks retarded when buzzed or shaved. So balding guys like me look ridiculious with hair, and without. It’s a complete lose/lose situation. There is NO good look for me, and it’s sad.
- Charles-PhilippeAugust 9, 2019 at 1:53 am - Reply
  We’re often our own greatest critics so I’m sure that it’s not as bad as you say. There’s always a solution for everyone even if it’s working on a combination of things such as facial hair, glasses and your general attire.
  Best,
  CP
HankApril 14, 2020 at 12:31 am - Reply
I definitely have the gene for a receding hairline. I’m probably class II at the moment. A few years ago, realizing that I will probably be bald some day, I had a tryout by shaving off my hair. While my skull shape looked OK, my ears looked really prominent without my hair. Hot summer sun on a bald head was not a fun experience (I didn’t know that a bald head needs protection from heat).
Anyway, good article.
- Charles-PhilippeApril 14, 2020 at 3:41 am - Reply
  Thanks, Hank. Yes, it’ll happen to me too soon!
Gabriel SatterApril 20, 2020 at 5:42 pm - Reply
I just wanted to point out that the Rock , and Diesel are bald AF, and shaving their heads wasn’t for fashion, lol.
Charles-PhilippeApril 21, 2020 at 3:58 am - Reply
No, they could’ve just rocked a sexy comb-over instead!
Dawyne John claims that he is actually bald by choice while others argue that it steroid use causes patchy hair growth and he needed to hide it. But ultimately, who cares?
SmeethApril 26, 2020 at 5:49 am - Reply
I have benefited a lot from your blog. I am very happy today. Love Your Blog. Thanks once again
- Charles-PhilippeApril 27, 2020 at 4:05 am - Reply
  Delighted that you enjoy it!
Bobby R. WoodallMay 12, 2020 at 9:06 pm - Reply
I had thinning hair but because of my age (75) and the Coronavirus scare could not keep my weekly haircut and beard trim, I decided on having a very close haircut given to me free by one of my granddaughters. It looked like my Marine Corps boot camp cut of 57 years ago. After a look in the mirror, I decided to buy me a skull trimmer. I love it!
- Charles-PhilippeMay 13, 2020 at 3:40 am - Reply
  Paul uses one of those too and hasn’t looked back since. I’ll consider it in the future but right now I’m trying to hang onto the hair I have left!
JoeSeptember 12, 2020 at 3:48 pm - Reply
I first noticed I was thinning when I was about 25. I made the decision to shave my head bald by the age of 30. I am now 35 and I haven’t looked back. Although I will say at first I was worry about how I looked bald, but once I embraced it I realized not only did it look better I actually looked younger than when I had all those bald spots. I also regained my confidence more then when I had hair, constantly trying to hide bald spots. Anyone “suffering” from hair loss I say shave it off and embrace it!
- Charles-PhilippeSeptember 14, 2020 at 3:11 am - Reply
  Well said and thanks for the advice!
  Best,
  CP
Hair CareOctober 28, 2020 at 11:18 pm - Reply
This blog is worth-it reading! Thank you so much for sharing these tips on how to look good even if you’re bald.
- Charles-PhilippeOctober 29, 2020 at 5:12 am - Reply
  Glad you enjoyed it!
UlrichDecember 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm - Reply
Hi, you probably remember me. I am the guy who’s trying to grow his hair right now and bothered you with many questions :/ This time, my question is not about growing long hair :P The thing is, we have a family history of male pattern hair loss on the crown. Thankfully, we have no close relatives who have severe hair loss. [My paternal grandfather (crown, mild to moderate), my paternal uncle (crown, mild), my father (crown, mild to moderate) and my maternal grandfather (crown, mild)] In contrast, my paternal cousins and I have thick and dense hair. I’m the youngest of all (15) and even the oldest cousin (31) doesn’t show a tiny sign of hair loss. Can I go bald too someday?
- Charles-PhilippeJanuary 4, 2021 at 2:48 am - Reply
  Hi Ulrich,
  Yes, I remember you! Sure, it could happen to you. In fact, mild hair loss is experienced by almost half of men will experience some visible hair loss in their lifetime. However, it’s probably unlikely that you will have much given your family history. Either way, I wouldn’t worry about it!
  All the best,
  CP
James MMarch 8, 2021 at 10:32 am - Reply
I really enjoy bespoke unit!
Like another reader, I started shaving my hair off before I lost enough
of it to have to do it! By age 46 it was time to shave it to number two all over.
It did look more sparse then it had done during my early experiments in my 30’s!
Yet, I still sprayed hairspray over it. By chance one of the hairspray had a tone in it that was exactly the same colour as my hair.
I sprayed that on my hair and it looks like grade 2 ‘full hair’ all over!
In daylight, I’ve taken multiple pictures to check the colour and it’s perfect.
The only trick is the hairline, get that wrong and it looks ridiculous!
I’m having to develop new skills in order to do this properly each time
I leave my home.
I think that ‘gift’ came about because I had to find significant confidence to
make that change. No support, no cheering corner! I just took a risk and got
on with it and was given a small reward. Life is like that!
Get luck guys!
- Charles-PhilippeMarch 9, 2021 at 8:28 am - Reply
  Absolutely, James! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Michael NApril 7, 2021 at 5:36 pm - Reply
57 and “Class 7.” Close to ending my longstanding denial stage. Wife thinks I need to keep what I have, but I disagree. It will be liberating! Just need to do it!
- Charles-PhilippeApril 8, 2021 at 4:24 am - Reply
  I understand. I’m sure it’ll look great either way!
JohanMay 18, 2022 at 4:05 am - Reply
Hi,
What would be really appreciated is a guide combining baldness with headshapes.
E.g what beard, glasses etc looks good with a bald head and an oval head shape.
A couple of hours of googling has led me nowhere in this search.
Regards
- Rafael DominguezMay 21, 2022 at 5:49 pm - Reply
  Hey there Johan,
  Have you already checked out our guide on choosing glasses based on head shape (https://bespokeunit.com/glasses/choosing/)? These guidelines would still apply regardless of whether one is bald or not.
  Rafael