Expert Verified

Sarah Mitchell — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

Approved Guide

How to Maintain and Style a Shaved Head for Women

Choosing a shaved head for women is a powerful move that highlights facial features and simplifies your morning routine. However, transitioning to a bald look means your scalp is now exposed to the elements and requires a different kind of care than long hair. Mastering the basics of a shaved head for women involves balancing skin health, sun protection, and personal styling to ensure you feel confident and comfortable in your new look.

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Part 1

Wash your scalp daily with a moisturizing shampoo.

Dirt and oil can build up on your shaved scalp, so don’t skip the shampoo.

Choose a shampoo that’s labeled as “moisturizing.” Apply a dime-size dollop of shampoo to your palm, then massage it onto your scalp. Rinse away the suds with warm water.

Choose a shampoo that’s labeled as “moisturizing.” Apply a dime-size dollop of shampoo to your palm, then massage it onto your scalp.
Rinse away the suds with warm water.
Choose a shampoo that’s labeled as “moisturizing.” Apply a dime-size dollop of shampoo to your palm, then massage it onto your scalp.
Rinse away the suds with warm water.
Choose a shampoo that’s labeled as “moisturizing.” Apply a dime-size dollop of shampoo to your palm, then massage it onto your scalp.

Part 2

Treat your scalp with a dandruff shampoo if you have flakes.

Dandruff can cause dull, flaky patches on your bald scalp.

Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix! Wash your hair with dandruff shampoo twice a week if you're of Caucasian or Asian descent or once a week if you're of African descent. Use regular shampoo the other days you wash.

Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix!
Wash your hair with dandruff shampoo twice a week if you're of Caucasian or Asian descent or once a week if you're of African descent.
Use regular shampoo the other days you wash.
Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix!
Wash your hair with dandruff shampoo twice a week if you're of Caucasian or Asian descent or once a week if you're of African descent.

Part 3

Condition your scalp with a moisturizing conditioner.

Your scalp and new hair growth both benefit from moisture.

Apply a quarter-size dollop of conditioner to your hand and massage it onto your scalp. Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then rinse it off with warm water.

Apply a quarter-size dollop of conditioner to your hand and massage it onto your scalp.
Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then rinse it off with warm water.
Apply a quarter-size dollop of conditioner to your hand and massage it onto your scalp.
Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then rinse it off with warm water.
Apply a quarter-size dollop of conditioner to your hand and massage it onto your scalp.

Part 4

Massage moisturizer onto your scalp daily to prevent dry skin.

A shaved head is more prone to dryness and irritation.

Fortunately, you can easily maintain soft, smooth skin. Use a regular moisturizer if you want a shiny scalp, or pick a lotion that's labeled as "mattifying" if you want to avoid shine. Apply your moisturizer daily after your shower or when you're getting ready for bed.

Fortunately, you can easily maintain soft, smooth skin.
Use a regular moisturizer if you want a shiny scalp, or pick a lotion that's labeled as "mattifying" if you want to avoid shine.
Apply your moisturizer daily after your shower or when you're getting ready for bed.
Fortunately, you can easily maintain soft, smooth skin.
Use a regular moisturizer if you want a shiny scalp, or pick a lotion that's labeled as "mattifying" if you want to avoid shine.

Part 5

Apply oil to your scalp daily for added moisture.

You might prefer to use oils instead of moisturizers.

Oils can also help you maintain a soft, healthy scalp. Use oil daily to lock in moisture after a shower. Squeeze a dot of oil onto your palm, then massage it into your scalp using your fingertips.

Oils can also help you maintain a soft, healthy scalp.
Use oil daily to lock in moisture after a shower.
Squeeze a dot of oil onto your palm, then massage it into your scalp using your fingertips.
Oils can also help you maintain a soft, healthy scalp.
Use oil daily to lock in moisture after a shower.

Part 6

Swipe on antiperspirant if your scalp is sweating a lot.

Your scalp sweats, and you don't have hair to soak it up.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to stay dry. Every night before bed, swipe an antiperspirant over the top of your head once or twice. The product will soak into your scalp overnight so you'll stay fresh all day.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to stay dry.
Every night before bed, swipe an antiperspirant over the top of your head once or twice.
The product will soak into your scalp overnight so you'll stay fresh all day.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to stay dry.
Every night before bed, swipe an antiperspirant over the top of your head once or twice.

Part 7

Massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow.

A scalp massage helps keep your scalp healthy.

Do the massage in the shower or while applying moisturizer or oil. Start by placing your fingers just above your forehead. Apply light pressure, then start making circular movements with your fingers. Work your way from your forehead to the nape of your neck.

Do the massage in the shower or while applying moisturizer or oil.
Start by placing your fingers just above your forehead.
Apply light pressure, then start making circular movements with your fingers.
Work your way from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
Do the massage in the shower or while applying moisturizer or oil.

Part 8

Apply sunscreen to your head to protect against sunburn.

Your exposed scalp is vulnerable to sunburn, so always wear sunscreen.

Both creamy and spray sunscreens work great on your scalp. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least an SPF 30. Wear your sunscreen every day, no matter the season. If you're spending the day outdoors, reapply sunblock every 2 hours to keep your scalp protected.

Both creamy and spray sunscreens work great on your scalp.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least an SPF 30.
Wear your sunscreen every day, no matter the season.
If you're spending the day outdoors, reapply sunblock every 2 hours to keep your scalp protected.
Both creamy and spray sunscreens work great on your scalp.

Part 9

Wear a hat or scarf to protect your head from the sun.

Your exposed scalp is more vulnerable to the sun.

Go with a wide-brim hat for more protection, or throw on a baseball cap for an easy option. Alternatively, pick a stylish hat or scarf that goes with your outfit. The options are endless!

Go with a wide-brim hat for more protection, or throw on a baseball cap for an easy option.
Alternatively, pick a stylish hat or scarf that goes with your outfit.
The options are endless!
Go with a wide-brim hat for more protection, or throw on a baseball cap for an easy option.
Alternatively, pick a stylish hat or scarf that goes with your outfit.

Part 10

Put on a hood, hat, or beanie during winter to stay warm.

Cold weather can chill your shaved head.

Stay comfortable by covering your head before you go out. Choose a hooded jacket or coat for an easy option. Go with a fun hat for a stylish solution, or wear a classic beanie for a cozy winter look.

Stay comfortable by covering your head before you go out.
Choose a hooded jacket or coat for an easy option.
Go with a fun hat for a stylish solution, or wear a classic beanie for a cozy winter look.
Stay comfortable by covering your head before you go out.
Choose a hooded jacket or coat for an easy option.

Part 11

Wet your skin and apply shaving cream before touch-ups.

Protect your skin from nicks and irritation with shaving cream.

Shave after a shower or splash water over your scalp to wet it. Then, add a dollop of shaving cream to your palm and smooth it over your scalp. This makes it easier for the razor to glide over your skin.

Shave after a shower or splash water over your scalp to wet it.
Then, add a dollop of shaving cream to your palm and smooth it over your scalp.
This makes it easier for the razor to glide over your skin.
Shave after a shower or splash water over your scalp to wet it.
Then, add a dollop of shaving cream to your palm and smooth it over your scalp.

Part 12

Shave in the direction your hair grows.

This will prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Look at the way your hair grows before you drag your razor blade across your scalp. Always drag your razor across your scalp in this direction. Otherwise, you might end up with red bumps on your scalp.

Look at the way your hair grows before you drag your razor blade across your scalp.
Always drag your razor across your scalp in this direction.
Otherwise, you might end up with red bumps on your scalp.
Look at the way your hair grows before you drag your razor blade across your scalp.
Always drag your razor across your scalp in this direction.

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