We’ve come up with a detailed list of measures you can take to prevent your bald head from getting dry and flaky AND a list of treatment methods for those of you who think their ships have already sailed.
Last Updated on December 8, 2021
Have you ever heard the saying that prevention is better than treatment? While we agree with the statement, we also know that it’s never too late to catch up on healthy habits and daily routines to improve your way of life.
When it comes to dry and flaky bald heads, there are one too many causes that can lead to it, and pinpointing which one is the specific culprit for you will require a little bit of an investigation. First, let’s take a look at what dandruff or dry and flaky skin is:
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What Are These Flakes on My Head?
Your skin sheds dead skins at regular intervals throughout your lifetime. This shedding often goes unnoticed as it is microscopic. However, if larger yellow or white flakes start to appear on your scalp, you may have a dandruff problem. What distinguishes dandruff from normal shedding is its extent, color, and the fact that it grows at a much faster pace.
Most researchers have found hormones to be the biggest culprit behind dandruff production, which is why you may have had this issue during your teenage years. It can also be linked to a type of yeast that grows on your head. However, these can only be diagnosed by a dermatologist.
Dry, flaky scalps can also be in your genetics – passed down from generation to generation. If you’re a male, have oily skin, or are overweight, you may face dandruff problems more than anyone else. However, dandruff has also been linked to some chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Other Common Causes of Dry, Flaky Bald Heads
Contrary to popular belief, if you have dandruff, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have poor hygiene. Dry, flaky skin can also be a consequence of:
Not rinsing off shampoo properly.
Shampooing either too often or not too often.
Not staying hydrated and moisturized during cold weather.
Being stressed all the time.
Using a product that led to a bad reaction.
Skin problems or diseases, such as scalp psoriasis and eczema.
How to Prevent Dry & Flaky Bald Heads
Instead of avoiding black clothes, there are some steps that you can follow to prevent your bald head from getting dry and flaky. Let’s take a look at what these steps include:
1. Pick the Correct Razor
Choosing the right razor for your head might be a challenging task as you may need to try several variations before sticking with the one that provides the best results for your skin type. If you’re prone to dandruff, we would recommend steering clear of electric shavers as they can be pretty harsh to use. If you’re new, a double-edge safety razor may not be the safest option for you.
We recommend that you use a cartridge razor with a pivoting head. These razors are easy to use and less likely to irritate your skin or leave cuts, burns, and scars.
Another option is to stop shaving completely bald for a while and use use hair clippers without a clipper comb, only the blades. This will also reveal less of the dry skin if appearance is of concern.
2. Pre-Shave Rituals
Your pre-shaving routine should include applying oils because it’ll soften your hair- making it easier to shave- and provide adequate moisture to your skin. Find products with essential oils and carriers to ensure you get the best results possible.
Some of the oils that we’ve found to be more beneficial than others include coconut, tea tree, rosemary, jojoba, and argan oil. Some of these oils, such as the tea tree oil, also work as a great disinfectant while controlling excess sebum production.
3. Shaving Creams to Avoid
Shaving creams that contain harmful ingredients and chemicals can leave your scalp dry and flaky after a shave. So, throw away all aerosol shaving creams that you’ve purchased, as they have little to no water and moisturizing benefits.
Applying a shaving soap with a brush is one of the favorites amongst bald heads. Shaving soaps have garnered a lot of attention because they contain moisturizing oils, and the brush prepares the hair for an easy shave- while exfoliating the skin and cleaning out your pores.
– Related: Best Natural Shaving Creams or Creams for Sensitive Skin
4. Post-Shave Routine
Your post-shave routine should include at least one lotion, oil, or balm. If you don’t like the extra shine, it will also help if you pick a moisturizer with a mattifying effect. An aftershave balm can help moisturize the skin, prevent it from drying or forming flakes, and soothe and disinfect your bald head.
Additionally, it would also be highly advantageous if you use a moisturizer with an SPF. One of the most common causes of a dry and flaky bald head is sun exposure. So, using SPF-induced products will ensure your skin doesn’t burn and peel off.
5. Massaging Your Bald Head
Treat yourself to an at-home or spa massage at least once a week if you can’t do it every day. Massaging your scalp balances the blood circulation in your scalp, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the skin and helping maintain its natural moisture and oil production.
The process of massaging your bald head will become much easier and enjoyable if you invest in a great scalp massager. There are plenty of silicone massagers that won’t irritate your skin or make it dry.
How to Treat Dry & Flaky Bald Heads
While many of us continue to take precautionary measures to prevent dry and flaky bald heads, not all of us succeed. In addition to eating healthy, exercising, and staying hydrated, what can you do to treat an already dry and flaky scalp? Let’s find out!
1. Wash Your Head Regularly
Washing your head regularly will help reduce the flakes and gradually get rid of them completely. Depending on the extent of dandruff you have, you may have to shampoo every day or less frequently if your condition is not as drastic.
People with a troublesome scalp condition may need to use a dandruff shampoo. However, if your situation is not as bad, you can get away with using regular shampoo as well. It’ll be helpful to use mild shampoos with fewer or no chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.
2. Ingredients That Help
If you’ve switched to dandruff shampoo, you’ll have to go through some trial and error before finding the right match for your specific condition. Typically, shampoos with zinc pyrithione, tar, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid work like magic for dry and flaky skin.
When using a dandruff shampoo, you should start by using it on a regular basis. Once you begin to see a positive change, you can switch to using your everyday shampoo and a dandruff shampoo on alternate days. Slowly, you can eliminate the dandruff shampoo from your routine altogether.
You should also lather twice with the dandruff shampoo and let it sit for approximately 5 minutes before rinsing it out; this allows the shampoo to work more efficiently on an extremely dry and rough scalp.
3. Do Not Scratch
You may feel an unavoidable urge to scratch your head, especially when it’s dry and flaky. However, scratching your already sensitive bald head will only make matters worse. This one may require a lot of strength and courage as dry and flaky scalp can be extremely itchy.
If you give in to the urge, you will end up with bruised skin and bleeding that can lead to more flakes and dryness. So, it’s best to avoid scratching the itch away, as it will come back worse than before.
4. Contact a Dermatologist
If you think a regular dandruff shampoo is not working for your dry and flaky bald head, you may need to get in touch with a dermatologist. These skin specialists can provide you with a prescription for medicated treatments and professional plans and routines that you can follow to minimize and ultimately get rid of dandruff.
A dermatologist will provide treatments based on your genetics, daily routines, sun exposure, preexisting skin conditions, and skin color. So, don’t get discouraged if our tips and tricks don’t work, and seek professional help right away!
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, even those of you who follow healthy routines and maintain their hygiene on a daily basis can come across dry and flaky bald heads at some point in your life. So, if you’re facing challenges as such, there’s no need to feel ashamed or disappointed. With the prevention steps and treatment methods we mentioned, you can maintain and treat your scalp, respectively. However, these are not the only solutions out there, and if you’re still struggling after following all these steps, a dermatologist is best equipped to help you.
Did you like our prevention and treatment tricks for dry and flaky bald heads? We have plenty more blogs and articles currently in the making, so stay tuned for more updates from our team. Till then, we hope you stay happy and healthy!
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Simon Edwards
When I am not shaving my head, trimming my beard or even doing a spot of manscaping I am writing about men's lifestyle and other topics Ithoroughly enjoy writing about. Surfing and coffee is also my thing!
