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Revised 10/22/26
for men with hair loss
Should I Shave My Head? A Guide for Men With Hair Loss
How to decide, how to try it before you commit, and how to shave and care for a bare scalp once you do. If you'd rather not shave, the other options are covered too.
The mirror check, the wind, the angle under the lights. If that's your morning, you're in the right place.
Men don't talk about this much. They make the joke first, before anyone else can, and they think about shaving for longer than they'd admit.
Of everything hair loss takes out of your hands, shaving is one thing you get to decide. There's no right answer. Some men shave and wonder why they waited. Some try it and grow it back. Both are fine. Shaving doesn't change how your hair grows,1 so if it isn't for you, you can grow out what you have. It won't bring back hair that has already thinned.
If you're unsure, start with a short buzz cut. It takes minutes, it shows you the shape of your head, and you can grow it out again if it isn't you.
Already decided? Skip to how to shave your head.
Losing your hair to chemotherapy? The advice is different. Start with our guide to shaving before chemo and the men's chemo hats.
is it time?
how men usually know
Nobody reaches a number and shaves. It's usually a few small things adding up.
- You can see scalp through a short cut. Under bathroom lights or in a photo, the top shows through even when the sides look full.
- Your hair takes managing. Combing it a certain way, checking the angle in the mirror, looking up at the lights when you walk into a room, touching your crown to check it's covered, watching the wind and the rain, thinking twice about the pool because wet hair shows everything.
- It's coming out in patches. Shaving is one way to even it out. A dermatologist can tell you what's causing patchy loss.
- The hat can't come off. A cap flattens thin hair, so once it goes on in the morning it stays on until you're home. Once you shave, a hat goes back to being a hat.
- You'd rather choose the look than wait for it. Shaving turns something happening to you into something you decided.
Men who have done it often describe the same thing afterward: relief. No more checking the mirror, the wind or the lights. One less thing to manage every morning.
Wanting to look good right now is not shallow. Caring about this doesn't make you vain.
reasons men shave
- They're tired of managing what's left on top.
- They want a look that stays the same week to week.
- A few minutes of shaving, or clippers twice a week, doesn't bother them.
reasons men wait
- They want to try treatment first.
- They have a scar or a bump they'd rather keep covered.
- They haven't tried a buzz cut yet.
- They like how they look with a shorter haircut.
"14 years shaving. Would never go back!"Jeffrey Hall
if you want to try treatment first
Shaving and treatment are separate decisions. If treatment is on your list, see a dermatologist sooner rather than later: men tend to get the best results when they start soon after they notice hair loss.2 Some treatments only keep working while you keep taking them.2
try it before you commit
a buzz cut is the free trial
You don't have to go from a full head of hair to a smooth scalp in one evening. Take it down in stages and see how you feel at each one.
Buzz it short.
Clippers with a #2 or #1 guard, a quarter inch or an eighth. You'll see the shape of your head and how much the top and sides differ.
Live with it for a couple of weeks.
At work, in photos, in the mirror after a shower. Give it more than one day before you judge it.
Go shorter if you like it.
Clippers with no guard, then a razor or a head shaver. The steps are below.
If you don't like it, scalp hair grows about six inches a year,3 so if you don't like the buzz cut, you can start growing it out again.
"For the past couple of years I've been using buzz cuts to disguise my thinning hair. But when my second to last buzz cut grew back in, I noticed that I was so thin on top I could see scalp, so on my last buzz cut, I shaved off everything on top, and left the heavier hair in back and on the sides intact. I plan keeping the top shaved permanently. I was going to shave off the hair on the edges, but decided to leave it, since I shaved my head to emphasize, rather than hide my baldness."CGB
Let a barber do the first one. A good barber takes the sides down evenly and can show you the shape of your head, a cowlick or a ridge, before you take a razor to it.
what the first few days look like
- Your scalp is paler than your face. That skin hasn't seen daylight in years. It evens out slowly, so don't rush it with sun. Some men use a gradual self-tanner to close the gap.
- Dark hair leaves a shadow. Even after a razor, you'll see a shadow on the sides and back where the hair still grows. That's hair under the skin, and it's normal.
- The first shower is different. Water on bare skin, and nothing to dry or style afterward.
- The clippings go everywhere. A lint roller picks them up from your collar and your pillowcase.
how to shave your head
clippers first, then a razor or a head shaver
The first time is slow. It gets quick once you know the shape of your head. These steps are for a blade razor; with an electric head shaver, follow its own instructions for wet or dry use, cleaning and replacing the head.
Clip it as short as it goes.
Clippers with no guard first. A razor on longer hair drags, pulls and clogs.
Soften the stubble.
Right after a shower is the best time: the skin is warm and moist, and there's less oil to clog the blade.4
Use a shaving cream or gel.
If your skin is dry or sensitive, look for one labeled for sensitive skin.4
Shave with the grain.
Shaving in the direction the hair grows helps prevent razor bumps and burns.4 On the head that direction changes, especially around the crown, so feel it with your hand first. Going against the grain gets a closer shave and more bumps.
Rinse after every stroke.
Change the blade, or throw out a disposable razor, after five to seven shaves.4
Check the back.
A hand mirror held up to the bathroom mirror works, or run your free hand over your head and feel for grit. Behind the ears and the nape are the easy places to miss.
razor or electric head shaver?
A blade razor gives the smoothest result and the most chances to nick. An electric or rotary head shaver is quicker and easier on the skin, and leaves a little more stubble. If you keep getting razor bumps or ingrown hairs, dermatologists suggest trying a single- or two-blade razor, since some multi-blade razors shave too close.5 Cartridges also add up quickly when you're shaving a whole head several times a week, and a head shaver or a single-blade razor costs less over time.
how often?
For a smooth head, most days. By the second or third day, stubble starts to feel prickly and catches on collars, pillowcases, knit hats and every shirt you pull over your head. For stubble on purpose, clippers with no guard every few days. A smooth head is a commitment. Stubble is the low-maintenance version.
look after your scalp
sun, bumps, dryness and cold
Your hair was doing a job you never noticed. Without it, the scalp needs a little looking after.
sun comes first
A bald or shaved scalp takes the full sun, and balding or thinning hair raises your risk of sunburn.7 Skin cancer on the scalp is more common in men than in women, largely because of hereditary baldness, and a hat is often the best protection.8 When your head is uncovered outdoors, put sunscreen on your scalp, ears and neck: broad-spectrum, water-resistant, SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every two hours or right after swimming or sweating.5, 7
Check the crown of the hat. A mesh crown lets the sun through and gives the scalp very little protection.8 For sun, choose a hat with a solid crown, and a UPF rating where the hat has one.
Keep an eye on it. A shaved head shows you skin you haven't seen in years. If you notice anything new, changing or unusual, have a dermatologist look at it.8
- Razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Shaving is what causes them, and left alone they can leave marks.6 Soft hair, a sharp blade and shaving with the grain all help, and so does shaving daily or every two to three days, which gives the hair less time to curl back into the skin.6 If they keep coming, a dermatologist can help.
- Dryness and itching. Moisturize after you shave, and wash your scalp gently, the way you wash your face.
- Shine. Under office lights a bare scalp can shine. An oil-free moisturizer, or a little translucent powder on top, takes it down.
- Cold. A bare head feels the cold sooner, outdoors, in an air-conditioned store and in bed, and rain and wind feel different on bare skin. A knit cap outside and a soft sleep cap at night cover both.
other ways to manage thinning hair
a shorter cut, a hat, a topper or a wig
Shaving is one option. These are the others, and none of them locks you in.
a shorter cut
Taking the sides and back short makes thin hair on top look fuller than it does next to thick sides. A good barber can show you how short to go.
a hat
The simplest step. Nothing to maintain, and you choose the look each morning. Start with men's hats.
a hair topper
For thinning on top while the sides and back are still full. It covers the top and blends with your own hair. See the JJ by Jon Renau, In Full Effect by HIM HairUWear and the human hair System H by Wig Pro.
a wig
Full coverage. A lace front gives a natural-looking hairline, as on the Edge and Reserved by HIM HairUWear. See all men's wigs.
Not sure which fits? Call us at 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) and a person will talk the options through with you.
hats for a shaved head
one for sun, one for cold, one for sleep
A shaved head gives a hat three jobs. You don't need all three on the first day. Against bare skin, the inside of a hat matters as much as the outside, so start with soft cotton and fleece. Stubble catches on chunky knits, so a smooth cotton beanie is kinder for the first few weeks.
for sun
Weathered Cotton Outback Hat
A rugged cotton outback brim, rated UPF 50+.
shop →Men's Cotton Outdoor Hat
A cotton bucket-style brim with a chin strap, rated UPF 50+.
shop →Flexible Brimmed Cotton Outback
A cotton outback with a flexible 3-inch brim, rated UPF 50+.
shop →Supplex Sun Shield Baseball Cap
For men who live in a ball cap. A fold-away shield covers the neck. Rated UPF 50+.
shop →Men's Jetty Outdoor Hat
A big brim for fishing and long days outside. Rated UPF 50+.
shop →Men's Flap Hat
A wide brim with a flap that shades the back of the neck.
shop →for every day and cold weather
for sleep
from our Galland Headwear line
Fit changes once you shave. A hat that fit over a full head of hair can sit loose on a shaved one, and on a bare head a low-profile cap or a soft beanie sits closer than a tall, structured cap. Hat sizing tape or a terry sweatband size reducer takes up the slack, so the hats you already own still fit.
Shopping for him? A soft cotton beanie and a sleep cap are an easy place to start.
More styles are in men's hats. For help choosing, see our men's hat buying guide and types of men's hats.
what if I don't like how it looks?
the question men keep to themselves
Head shape is the usual worry, and the first shave can turn up a bump or a flat spot you didn't know about. Some men add a beard to balance the face; others stay clean-shaven. A hat covers the days you'd rather not think about it.
Expect a comment or two, and a few jokes, in the first week. Then it's old news. Your own reflection will surprise you for a few days too, until your eye catches up.
"I've been shaving my head for over a decade. I started to lose my hair at age 22 and for many years I trimmed but never shaved. I started to go grey which made me look even older than I already did. Since I've been shaving, people can't believe I'm in my mid 50s mistaking me for someone 10 years my junior. My wife loves how I look! I've also saved $ on barbers and hair products. No regrets!"Len Matiowsky
And if you decide it isn't you, you can grow out what you have at about six inches a year.3 The first day out feels bigger than it is. People adjust quickly, and so will you.
questions about shaving your head
open only the one you need
should I shave my head if I'm balding?
There's no right answer. Shaving makes sense if you're tired of managing thinning hair and want a look that stays the same. Waiting makes sense if you want to try treatment first, since men tend to get the best results when they start soon after noticing hair loss.2 A buzz cut is a good way to find out, because it grows back.
does shaving your head make hair grow back thicker?
No. Shaving doesn't change the thickness, color or growth rate of hair. Shaved hair grows out with a blunt tip, which can feel coarse and look darker or thicker for a while.1
will shaving my head make me go bald faster?
No. A razor cuts hair at the surface and doesn't change how it grows.1 Pattern hair loss follows its own course whether you shave or not.
why can I still see a shadow after shaving my head?
A razor cuts hair at the surface, so dark hair still growing under the skin shows through as a shadow on the sides and back. It's normal, and it shows less on lighter hair. Keeping a short stubble instead makes the shadow look deliberate.
why is my shaved scalp so pale?
That skin hasn't seen the sun in years. It evens out slowly over time. Don't rush it with extra sun, since a bare scalp burns easily; some men use a gradual self-tanner to close the gap instead.
how often do you need to shave a bald head?
For a smooth look, most days. Shaving daily or every two to three days also gives hair less time to curl back into the skin, which helps prevent razor bumps.6 For stubble, clippers with no guard every few days.
is a razor or an electric shaver better for shaving your head?
A blade razor gives the smoothest finish and more chances to nick. An electric or rotary head shaver is quicker and easier on the skin, with a little more stubble left behind. If a multi-blade razor keeps giving you razor bumps, dermatologists suggest trying a single- or two-blade razor.5
do I need sunscreen on a shaved head?
Yes, whenever your head is uncovered outdoors. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on your scalp, ears and neck, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.5, 7 Skin cancer on the scalp is more common in men than in women, largely because of hereditary baldness. A hat with a solid crown is often the best protection; a mesh crown lets the sun through.8
can wearing a hat cause hair loss?
In the research so far, wearing hats has not been linked to worse thinning. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist does advise against hats so tight they press on the scalp or leave it itchy and irritated.9 Choose a hat that fits without squeezing.
what should I wear on my head at night?
A soft sleep cap. A bare head feels the cold in bed, and cotton or fleece is comfortable against shaved skin. Our organic cotton sleep cap for men is made for exactly that.
should I shave my head before chemo?
The advice changes during chemotherapy, so start with our guide to shaving before chemo and ask your care team. The men's chemo hats are here when you're ready.
why we care about this
specialists in hair loss since 1995
In 1995 my grandmother Carol Galland and my mother Danielle started Headcovers. My grandmother had been through breast cancer and couldn't find anything comfortable or attractive to wear on her bare head, so the two of them set out to make it.
A lot of the headwear we sell is made here, with bare skin in mind. I've worn our hats since I was a baby, and my mother and I try on every hat we carry.
In thirty years, we've learned that men are our pickiest customers, and our most loyal. They notice everything: a seam that moved, a liner that changed, a cuff that feels different from the last one. They tell us when we get it right, and they definitely tell us when we don't. We listen.
Start with one good hat.
Sun, cold or sleep: pick the job you need first.
keep learning
- Mayo Clinic, Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker? ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology, What is male pattern hair loss, and can it be treated? ↩
- Springer K., Brown M. and Stulberg D.L., Common Hair Loss Disorders, American Family Physician, 2003 (AAFP). ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology, Hair removal: How to shave. ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology, Skin care tips for men. ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology, 6 razor bump prevention tips from dermatologists. ↩
- American Academy of Dermatology, Hair loss types: Alopecia areata self-care. ↩
- Skin Cancer Foundation, Save Your Scalp from Sun Damage! ↩
- Cleveland Clinic, Can Wearing a Hat Cause Hair Loss? ↩
All sources last checked October 2026.
This guide is for informational purposes only. It does not replace advice from your physician. If you have questions about your specific situation, please consult your care team.
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